STUTTGART/WASHINGTON, April 27, 2023 (by Michael Dickens)
Tatjana Maria walked out onto the Centre Court inside Porsche Arena last week for her first-round match in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix to a hero’s welcome. It had been 11 years since the German native of Bad Saulgau last appeared in Stuttgart. The warm response Maria received was befitting of someone who hails quite locally even though she hadn’t been back for quite a long while.
This year, the 35-year-old Maria returned to Stuttgart together with her family – husband/coach Charles-Edouard Maria and daughters Charlotte (12) and Cecilia (2) – after receiving a wild card to play in the prestigious WTA 500-level event that annually kicks off the European spring clay season.
Tatjana Maria (photo: Porsche AG)
“I’m so happy to be a part of everything here again,” Maria said during an all-access hour with tournament media. “The last time I played Stuttgart was in 2012. That was before I became a mother, which is why it’s something special for me being here at my home tournament with my family. It’s a good feeling. …
“The nicest thing is that Charlotte, my daughter, can now take in everything. She’s now at an age when she understands what’s happening around her and can take the experience away with her. The rest of my family is also very important. It’s lovely being here with them all.”
Maria scored a pulsating win over 137th-ranked qualifier Ylena In-Albon of Switzerland, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (4), that lasted two hours and 45 minutes. The hometown hero rose to German No. 1 in the WTA Live Rankings with her triumph. It was a thoroughly entertaining match that boosted Maria’s winning streak to seven straight – all on clay – which included a victory over Laura Pigossi in Germany’s 3-1 tie victory over Brazil in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers the weekend before the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
Earlier this month, Maria was successful in defending her WTA 250 Copa Colsanitas title on clay in Bogota, Colombia. She beat unseeded American Peyton Stearns, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, in the title final to became just the second player so far this season to defend a singles title, along with World No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
🏆♥🥰📸#CopaColsanitas pic.twitter.com/vko8JazxQi
— Copa Colsanitas (@CopaColsanitas_) April 9, 2023
A surprise semifinalist last year at Wimbledon, ranked outside the Top 100 – and the first mother of two to make a major semifinal since Margaret Court in 1975 – Maria has dominated on clay in Bogota the past two years. She has won 12 consecutive matches there, including 10 straight main-draw wins, plus two qualifying matches she won last year to reach the 2022 main draw. Maria is now 3-0 in WTA Tour singles finals. Her first title came back in 2018 on grass at Mallorca, a year after she achieved a career-high ranking of No. 46.
Before the start of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Maria was asked about her fitness level after playing five matches in Bogota plus a long rubber against Pigossi in the Billie Jean King Cup competition. The German replied that she’s “in good shape.”
She added: “I’ve played some longer matches during my career and can recover pretty well. I’m fit and well.”
Local hero @Maria_Tatjana had a successful start in the main draw! She wins against Ylena In-Albon 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4)!#porschetennis #PTGP23 pic.twitter.com/rvXt5a1XxR
— Porsche Tennis (@PorscheTennis) April 18, 2023
Against In-Albon, Maria struck eight service aces, hit 30 winners, converted two of eight break points and outpointed her opponent 110-105. She benefited from 45 unforced errors by In-Albon. The three-set triumph advanced her to face World No. 5 and fourth seed Caroline Garcia two days later.
Although Maria lost to the top-ranked Frenchwoman, 7-6 (5), 6-4, which ended her winning streak at seven, she gave a gutsy performance. Maria, who walked off the court to enormous applause, acknowledged her fans with a heartfelt smile as she waved goodbye.
During Garcia’s post-match interview, she gave props to Maria: “She’s definitely unique. Especially more now than it was in the past. She changes pace, uses a lot of forehand and backhand slice, not bouncing a lot. She can read your game well and serves very well. She’s very tricky and is one of a kind.”
An excellent hit from @Maria_Tatjana. 🔝#porschetennis #PTGP23 pic.twitter.com/Pe37ZyPwtY
— Porsche Tennis (@PorscheTennis) April 20, 2023
Less than a week later, the 66th-ranked Maria was back on court in Spain for a first-round encounter against 267th-ranked wild card Alexandra Eala of the Philippines in the WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open. Maria needed just 70 minutes to start a new winning streak after beating Eala 6-1, 6-1. She won 77 percent of her first-serve points, saved four of five break points and broke the 17-year old Eala six times. Maria outpointed her opponent 55-31. The victory set up a second-round match against No. 28 seed Bernarda Pera of the United States, currently ranked 32nd, on Friday. Maria won their only previous match, on grass at Nottingham in 2019.
Reflecting upon her current tennis fortunes, Maria admitted: “My family pushes me enormously, especially Charlotte. She already plays super tennis and I’m a kind of role model for her. It’s why I go out on to the court and fight for every point.”
