Qualifier to Queen: At 37, Maria scripts fairytale run

Tatjana Maria completed her fairytale run at Queen's Club as the German qualifier beat American Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-4 in Sunday's final to become the oldest winner of a WTA 500 event.

- Agencies

LONDON:

The 37-year-old's victory secured the fourth singles title of her career, and her first since 2023 on the clay in Bogota. World No. 86 Maria is the first German to win a WTA 500 title since Angelique Kerber in 2018 in Sydney.

In the first women's tournament at Queen's since 1973, Maria is the event's first female champion since Russia's Olga Morozova 52 years ago.

When Morozova won in west London, the prize money was just £1,000 ($1,353). Maria banked a cheque for £120,000 and more importantly earned a huge confidence boost ahead of Wimbledon from June 30.

The mother of two arrived at Queen's on a nine-match losing streak and had to survive two rounds of qualifying matches to reach the main draw.

Deploying her slice-heavy style to devastating effect, she stunned sixth seed Karolina Muchova, fourth seed Elena Rybakina and reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys en route to the final.