When Maria is training at Wimbledon, Charlotte also likes to scurry around the court with her racket. World number two Ons Jabeur loves to play with the eight-year-old, says Maria and raves about her daughter: “She will be the next champion.”
Maria surprises with unmodern playing style
Maria herself unnerves her opponents with her unconventional style of play, which has actually gone out of fashion in modern tennis. She plays a lot of undercut balls with both the backhand and the forehand, which bounce off flat, especially on grass. “I know that everyone is stressed even before the match,” she says with a laugh. “So it’s an advantage for me, especially here on grass, knowing I can definitely hurt and everyone treats me as an opponent with respect.”
With these slice balls, Maria likes to move quickly to the net on opposing serves to build up pressure. It will be exciting in the round of 16 to see how the extremely aggressive former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia, who is seeded number twelve, will cope.
Maria is an advocate for family rights
Her husband, who also coaches Maria, will plan the tactics for the round of 16 as usual. Her influence on the tennis scene goes beyond her sporting success. The player, who was born in Bad Saulgau and who also talks to neighbor Serena Williams about the children in Florida, has long been committed to more rights for mothers and families on the tour.
Most recently, she asked the WTA for better support and separate rules for a return to the tour. However, there has been no response from the women’s professional organization so far. “It’s time to help and accommodate mothers more,” she said again.
Mary knows how to fight. 14 years ago, a thrombosis on the leg was discovered, it was in mortal danger for some time. Her father, who had accompanied her to tournaments, died a little later. “A few things happened to me that automatically make you stronger,” said Maria on Sky about her strokes of fate, “and if you have children, you have to be strong too.”