Tatjana Maria experiences a highlight of her tennis career at 37. Under floodlights, she holds her own with US star Coco Gauff for at least one set. A decision has to be made about her daughter’s future
The view from the stands made Tatjana Maria “really proud”. In front of her two daughters Charlotte (10) and Cecilia (3), the 37-year-old played under floodlights in the Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time in the late stages of her tennis career at the US Open. At 4:6, 0:6 against the 17 years younger defending champion Coco Gauff from the USA, Maria put up a very respectable fight, at least in the first set.
Her unorthodox style with numerous undercut forehands and backhands caused the favorite to despair at times in front of more than 20,000 spectators. “It was important for the future to see again that even the top players have problems against me,” said the world no. 99 after her defeat in the second round in New York.
Maria is far from thinking about the end of her career. “I still have a lot more left in me. It’s not about age, it’s about the body. I just love playing tennis and traveling with my family. “
Decision against the German federation
She knows the next promising talent is in her family. Ten-year-old Charlotte trains regularly with her mother and already plays in tournaments herself. “Charlotte’s dream is to play on this court one day,” said Maria in an interview shortly before entering the US Open’s largest stadium. “Our goal is to build her up so that she can start on the WTA Tour at 14, 15.”
However, her daughter will not be playing for Germany, but France, she reported after the match. Charlotte will represent the home country of her husband Charles-Édouard, who also coaches Tatjana Maria.
Although there had also been talks with the German association, Maria explained that the support for a player of this young age was better in France. In addition, the associations in France and the USA, Maria’s family’s first place of residence, have “much more money, much more options” thanks to the respective Grand Slam tournaments in Paris and New York.