Tatjana Maria Criticizes Queen's Tournament for Wildcard Snub After Last Year's Victory
Defending tennis champion snubbed by Queen's hits out at lack of 'respect' after tournament failed to grant her a wildcard one year on from mum-of-two's heartwarming victory

Image: Mail Online
Tatjana Maria, the defending champion of the Queen's tournament, expressed disappointment over not receiving a wildcard for this year's event. Despite her victory last year, she was required to qualify, citing a lack of respect from tournament officials.
- 01Tatjana Maria won the Queen's tournament last year, becoming its first female champion.
- 02She was surprised not to receive a wildcard for this year's event, despite her previous success.
- 03The tournament director favored British players for wildcard entries, including Katie Boulter and Fran Jones.
- 04Maria's victory has been prominently featured at the tournament, highlighting her status as the defending champion.
- 05She successfully qualified for the main draw by defeating Lily Miyazaki and Kamila Rakhimova.
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Tatjana Maria, the defending champion of the Queen's tournament, has publicly criticized the event's organizers for not granting her a wildcard entry this year, despite her victory in the previous edition. The 38-year-old expressed her disappointment, stating that she expected respect as the reigning champion. Maria, who won the title last year against Amanda Anisimova, felt that her recent achievement warranted a wildcard, especially given that the tournament is still in its early years. Instead, the tournament director, Laura Robson, opted to award wildcards to British players, which Maria found disheartening. Despite this setback, she successfully qualified for the main draw by winning her qualifying matches against Lily Miyazaki and Kamila Rakhimova. Maria emphasized her commitment to the sport, noting her ongoing dedication as a mother of two and her desire to continue competing at a high level. The tournament has featured tributes to her past victory, yet she still feels that her status as a champion should have been recognized with a wildcard entry.
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Maria's situation highlights the ongoing support for British players in tennis tournaments, potentially affecting future wildcard decisions.
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