Revisiting Wimbledon: Tatjana Maria’s Return and Reflections on Her Fairy Tale Run

With their sensational entry into the semi-finals, Tatjana Maria last year for a German tennis summer fairy tale in Wimbledon. When she returns to the most important Grand Slam tournament in the world, which starts on Monday, she does not put herself under pressure. “I will fight to the last ball in every match,” she said in an interview with the Porsche Newsroom. “But I also want to enjoy it all, together with my family.

by PM

last edited: 06/30/2023, 3:45 p.m

© Porsche

Tatjana Maria wants to take it easy when she returns to Wimbledon.

The venerable All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is a very special place for Tatjana Maria. Last year, on the famous Church Road in south-west London, she celebrated the greatest success of her career when she sensationally reached her first Grand Slam semi-final – at the age of 35 and as a mother of two. Tennis fans all over the world have taken her into their hearts for this. “No matter where I go, people still talk to me about Wimbledon,” says Tatjana Maria. “Then tell me how unbelievable you found it and how much you rooted for me. That gives me the strength and motivation to keep going.”

The Porsche Team Germany player, who grew up in Bad Saulgau and lives in Florida with husband Charles and daughters Charlotte and Cecilia, is looking forward to returning to Wimbledon. “It’s my favorite Grand Slam, with a special atmosphere and a unique history that can be felt in every corner of the facility. In addition, I really like playing on grass,” she says. At the Veneto Open, a grass tournament in Italy, she was in the final last week. So she’s fit for Wimbledon. When she thinks back to 2022, the memories just buzz through her head: “It was an incredible two weeks. How people reacted to me, to a mother of two who gives everything on the pitch and is also successful, that was a great, very emotional experience. But the best part was being able to experience it all with my family. That will remain unforgettable forever.”

“I want to experience such great moments in the future”

This success has given her the confidence and strength to do whatever it takes to keep improving her game. “I want to experience such great moments in the future as well. I work towards that every day and try to do my best,” she says, but also confirms: “I don’t put myself under any pressure because of it. Sure, I was in the semifinals last year and maybe now people are expecting things to go that well for me again. Of course I hope so too. Since I’m not seeded, that’s also a question of the draw. I can’t influence them.”

She doesn’t want to give the impression that she’s going to Wimbledon with a certain composure after what she’s experienced. “It’s still a Grand Slam. You’re not that relaxed there,” she says with a smile. “I’ll do my best in every match and fight for every ball, but I don’t put any additional pressure on myself by saying: I played semifinals once, now I have to do it again.” Of course she would like to go that far again , “maybe even further”, as she says. But first and foremost, she tries to concentrate on her game and enjoy the great atmosphere.

Since Wimbledon 2022, Tatjana Maria has been considered the tennis mom par excellence, who has impressively proven that having a child does not automatically mean the end of a career. She’s proud of that. Do other players see you as a role model? “I think so,” she says. “You can see from my example that it is possible to have a child during your career and then return to the professional tour. I came back twice, first after Charlotte was born, which surprised many, and then a second time when Cecilia was born. So it works.”

“The moms on the tour should be better supported”

The fact that other players also continue their careers after giving birth, such as Elina Svitolina, who recently played well at the French Open, is for Tatjana Maria “a positive development, also for the WTA Tour.” the moms on the tour will be given a little better support in the future.” She does not make any unrealizable demands on those responsible. “It would be helpful if all major tournaments offered childcare. So far, only the Grand Slams and a few tournaments such as the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix have done this. It’s been there for years.” If other tournaments followed suit, she says, “it would be very positive, for the kids and for the moms.”

Tatjana Maria is by far the best-placed German player in the world rankings. This makes her more proud than thoughtful about German women’s tennis. “We have a lot of young players who have a lot of talent and ability,” she says. “We don’t have to worry too much about that, after all we qualified with Porsche Team Germany for the final round of the Billie Jean King Cup in Seville in November.” She is convinced anyway that you play at a high level for much longer these days can. “Not everything,” she says with a smile, “is a matter of age.”

2023-06-30 14:55:00
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