Tatjana Maria, the 37-year-old German qualifier, has made tennis history by becoming the oldest woman to reach a WTA 500 final, defeating second seed Madison Keys 6-3, 7-6(3) at the HSBC Championships in London while continuing her remarkable run that has seen her overcome multiple top-ranked opponents with her distinctive slice-heavy playing style.
The German qualifier's semifinal victory at Queen's Club marks a significant milestone in tennis history, as she becomes the oldest player to reach a WTA 500 final at 37 years and 312 days old.12 This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record held by Venus Williams, who was the runner-up at Stanford in 2016 at age 36.1 Maria's success at the HSBC Championships adds to her impressive career highlights, which include a memorable semifinal appearance at Wimbledon in 2022, where she became one of just six women in the Open Era to reach the last four at the prestigious tournament after turning 34.34 Her performance in London demonstrates exceptional longevity in a sport where careers often end much earlier, placing her in elite company alongside legends like Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and the Williams sisters.3
The qualifier's journey to the final has been nothing short of sensational, as she systematically dismantled higher-ranked opponents throughout the tournament. Starting with a victory over Leylah Fernandez (No. 30) in the first round, Maria continued her giant-killing run by defeating Karolina Muchova (No. 14) in the second round, former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina (No. 11) in the quarterfinals, and finally Australian Open champion Madison Keys (No. 8) in the semifinals.123
Prior to arriving at Queen's Club, the German had endured a difficult stretch, losing nine consecutive matches.1 Her remarkable turnaround at this prestigious grass-court event represents her second Top 20 victory of the week and her first WTA 500 final appearance, setting up a championship match against Amanda Anisimova, who upset top seed Qinwen Zheng in the other semifinal.4
The veteran's slice-heavy approach has proven particularly effective on grass courts, where her tactical acumen shines. Against Keys, Maria displayed remarkable efficiency with a 78% first-serve percentage, winning 81% of those points while immediately pressuring her opponent's service games.1 Her ability to force longer rallies and capitalize on opponent errors proved decisive in the semifinal, with Keys committing significantly more unforced errors (nine to Maria's three in the opening set).1
The German's unique playing style features extensive use of slice on both forehand and backhand sides, complemented by excellent serving and court craft that has consistently troubled higher-ranked opponents throughout the tournament.2 This tactical mastery allowed her to secure an early 4-1 lead against Keys in the first set and maintain control throughout the match, demonstrating why grass courts particularly suit her varied, slice-forward game.13
Beyond her on-court success, the mother of two has turned this tournament into a family affair, with her daughters watching courtside during her matches. "Oh my God, I can't believe it, it's a dream come true," Maria exclaimed after her semifinal victory, visibly moved by having her family witness this career milestone.1 Having given birth to her second daughter, Cecilia, just 15 months before her 2022 Wimbledon semifinal run, Maria has balanced motherhood with professional tennis in remarkable fashion.2
Her resilience in the face of adversity stands out as a defining characteristic. "You always have to keep going," she reflected after her semifinal win. "You never can stop. I've had my ups and downs but you always have to keep going. We live for these moments."1 This perseverance has made Maria an inspiration, demonstrating that age and family responsibilities need not be barriers to achieving athletic excellence at the highest level.
