Maria emerges victorious initially in the spotlight duel, later experiencing a decline.
Tatjana Maria felt a wave of pride as she looked out at the crowd. At the ripe age of 37, she was playing in the Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open for the first time, accompanied by her daughters Charlotte (10) and Cecilia (3). Despite being overshadowed by the defending champion Coco Gauff, a 17-year-old star from the USA, Maria managed to hold her own in the opening set.
With her unique playing style, which involved slicing balls with both forehand and backhand, Maria kept the favorite off balance and even threw her off at times. However, Gauff regained her form in the second set, and after a tight match that lasted over an hour, she secured the victory.
Reflecting on her defeat in the second round, Maria said, "It was important for the future to know that even top-ranked players struggle against me." She maintained that she had plenty more to offer and had no intentions of retiring soon. "It's not about age, it's about health. I just love playing tennis and traveling with my family.", she said with conviction.
The Future of Charlotte
Talent runs in the family, and their youngest competitor is none other than Tatjana's 10-year-old daughter Charlotte. Charlotte trains with her mother and has already started participating in tournaments. "Charlotte's dream is to play on this court someday." Maria shared before setting foot on the court, which was the largest stage at the US Open. The family's goal is to prepare Charlotte for a professional career, aiming for her debut on the WTA Tour at around 14 or 15.
However, contrary to expectations, Charlotte will represent France rather than Germany in her professional career. After discussions with the German federation, the family decided that the support for a player at such a young age would be better in France. Moreover, both France and the United States, being the home countries of the Maria family, offer more financial resources and opportunities due to their prestigious Grand Slam tournaments in Paris and New York.
Tatjana's passion for sports has inspired her daughter Charlotte, who shares her love for tennis. sports have become an integral part of their family bond, with Charlotte practicing diligently to follow in her mother's footsteps and potentially play on the same prestigious courts like the Arthur Ashe Stadium in the future.
