‘It makes me proud’ explains Wimbledon dreamer Tatjana Maria on matching WTA legends
Wimbledon star Tatjana Maria is overjoyed and flattered to hold company with the likes of Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova and the Williams sisters by reaching the semi-finals at SW19.
In the Open Era, just five women had previously reached the last four of Wimbledon after turning 34.
They are Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, and Venus and Serena Williams.
After Tuesday at the All England Club, that list extended to six as 34-year-old Maria downed fellow German Jule Niemeier 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
When asked how she felt joining the illustrious group, Maria responded: “That’s amazing.
“To be in a list of such great players, it’s amazing.
“I mean, to have my name in the same spot.
“I still cannot believe it, really.
“So yeah, it makes me proud.”
Playing in her 35th senior Slam main draw, Maria had previously progressed beyond the second round of a Slam just once, at Wimbledon in 2015.
Before Wimbledon 2022, she had lost in the first round in eight successive Slam appearances.
While she has had her doubters, Maria insisted that those closest to her have always backed her ability.
She said: “Close to me, nobody doubts,
“[They’ve] never doubted that I can do it.
‘That’s great and that’s what makes me proud, that my family is supporting me all the time.”
Maria awaits the victor of Marie Bouzkova and good friend Ons Jabeur, with a match against the Tunisian a lovely possibility in the eyes of the German.
She said according to the BBC: “[Jabeur] is part of my family.
“She loves my kids, she is playing with them every day.
“It would be great to play her, we never know.
“But I am only happy that I am in a semi-final now.”
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