LONDON — In a fairytale run that defied all expectations, Tatjana Maria became the first women's champion at Queen's Club in 52 years, defeating Amanda Anisimova in straight sets to claim the title after entering the tournament as a qualifier.
The 36-year-old German, ranked No. 65 in the world, completed a stunning week by overpowering the American 6-4, 6-1 in just 68 minutes. Maria's victory marks the first women's singles title at Queen's since Virginia Wade triumphed in 1971, before the event became an ATP-exclusive tournament until this year's reintroduction of WTA competition.
A Dream Run From Qualifying
Maria's journey to the title was nothing short of extraordinary. She had to win three qualifying matches just to reach the main draw, then battled through five more matches without dropping a set. Her path included victories over:
- No. 4 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia (6-3, 6-4)
- British No. 1 Katie Boulter (6-3, 6-1)
- Former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez (6-2, 6-4)
"I came here just hoping to play some good matches on grass," Maria said in her post-match interview, "but to hold this trophy now is something I could never have imagined. Every match I just tried to enjoy the moment, and suddenly I was in the final!"
Masterclass in Grass-Court Tennis
The final showcased Maria's exceptional grass-court skills. Her slice backhand proved particularly devastating, drawing Anisimova forward before passing her with precise angles. The German won 82% of points when approaching the net (23/28), while Anisimova managed just 50% (7/14).
Key Match Statistics
- First serve percentage: Maria 68%, Anisimova 54%
- Break points converted: Maria 4/6, Anisimova 0/2
- Winners: Maria 22, Anisimova 15
Anisimova, playing her first tournament since returning from a mental health break, admitted Maria was simply too strong: "Tatjana played unbelievable tennis today. Her slice was so effective and she moved me around perfectly. I'll learn from this and come back stronger."
Historic Achievement
Maria's victory makes her the oldest first-time WTA champion since 2014 and just the seventh qualifier to win a WTA 500 event in the last decade. Remarkably, she achieved this just 11 months after giving birth to her second child.
"This shows that age is just a number," said Maria, who will return to the top 40 in next week's rankings. "I've worked so hard to come back after having my baby, and now to have this moment with my family here is perfect."
The Return of Women's Tennis to Queen's
The LTA's decision to reintroduce women's competition at Queen's after 52 years proved inspired, with strong crowds throughout the week. Tournament director Luiz Carvalho called it "a historic moment for British tennis and a fantastic showcase for the women's game."
Maria's triumph provides a fairytale ending to the tournament's WTA return. The German veteran, who considered retirement in 2020, now finds herself with a career-defining title and renewed confidence heading into Wimbledon, where she reached the semifinals in 2022.
What's Next for the Champion?
Maria will head to Eastbourne as a late wildcard entry before attempting another deep Wimbledon run. Her grass-court form makes her a dangerous floater in the draw, though she remains philosophical: "I'll enjoy this moment first, then prepare the same way I always do - with hard work and belief."
For Anisimova, the week marked an encouraging return to competition after her break. The 22-year-old American showed flashes of the form that took her to the 2019 French Open semifinals and will be one to watch at SW19.
As the celebrations continued at Queen's Club, Maria reflected on her improbable journey: "This is why we play tennis - for moments like today. No matter your age or ranking, dreams can come true if you keep believing."