London: Tatjana Maria completed an incredible run from qualifying to the title as she beat Amanda Anisimova to become the first women's champion at Queens for 52 years. The 37-year-old German confounded the American world number 15 in a 6-3 6-4 victory.
According to BBC, this victory capped an astonishing week for the mother-of-two, who dropped just one set across seven matches in nine days. After her triumph, Maria celebrated with her husband and coach, Charles, and their two children, despite the youngest, Cecilia, sleeping through the match. Reflecting on her win, Maria wrote "Queen of Queens" on the camera lens and expressed her disbelief at the achievement, noting, "Everything is possible if you believe in it."
The tournament marked the first women's tour event at Queens since 1973, with Wimbledon set to begin on 30 June. Maria, who will soon turn 38, is now the oldest WTA Tour champion since Serena Williams' Auckland victory in 2020. Her aspirations include playing doubles with her eldest daughter, Charlotte, who often joins her for practice.
Maria, a surprise Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2022, showcased her grass-court prowess despite a recent nine-match losing streak upon arriving in west London. Her victory at Queens has propelled her from 86th to inside the world's top 50 in the live rankings. Her style of play, characterized by slice-heavy shots and effective drop shots, proved challenging for opponents like Anisimova, Keys, and Elena Rybakina.
In the final, Maria took an early lead, breaking Anisimova's serve and maintaining pressure throughout. Anisimova managed a brief comeback, but Maria's tactics and composure allowed her to secure the match and the historic title. The statistics highlighted Anisimova's 10 unforced errors to Maria's three in the first set, illustrating the German's strategic superiority.
Maria plans to compete at the Nottingham Open, starting Monday, but intends to celebrate her Queens victory with her family first. She humorously noted that the celebration might include crepes with Nutella, a treat likely favored by her children.