Maria Calls for Greater Respect at Queen's After Qualifying Round Entry
Tatjana Maria, a four-time WTA singles titleholder and Wimbledon quarter-finalist, has expressed her disappointment with the Queen's Club tournament for requiring her to compete in qualifying rounds despite being the defending women's singles champion.
The 37-year-old German player made history last year by becoming the first women's singles champion at the London club in 52 years, defeating eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in the final as a qualifier. However, this year she was not granted a wildcard entry and instead had to win two qualifying matches on Sunday to secure a place in the main draw.
Maria is set to face Greece's Maria Sakkari in the first round on Tuesday.
"It didn't feel [different to last year]. It feels almost like a normal tournament because I had to start over again in qualifying," Maria, an honorary life member at Queen's, told .
"Already what I did last year was amazing and to be a champion here, I thought I deserved a wildcard and to get a little bit of respect."
Maria further elaborated to reporters:
"I did it last year. It was not five years ago.
"I was surprised when I got the message of [tournament director] Laura Robson saying all the wildcards would go to the British players, which I understand. But as a champion, it's tough for me.
"It is something that should be normal. If you are champion of an event and you don't get in the year after, I think automatically this should be considered."
During her title run last year, Maria was observed by her two daughters and defeated four top-20 players, becoming the oldest winner of a WTA 500 tournament. Currently ranked 52nd in the world, her ranking is insufficient for direct entry into the 28-player main draw but remains higher than each of the four British players who received wildcards.
The wildcards this year were awarded to Katie Boulter (world number 73), Fran Jones (98), Harriet Dart (160), and Mika Stojsavljevic (261).
A spokesperson for the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) commented on the wildcard allocation:
"The LTA owns and invests in staging these events for the benefit of the British game as a whole - so fans can see world class international players from around the world, and support our British players, but also so British players are afforded the playing opportunities to progress their careers and climb the rankings.
"We have seen British success at these events, and breakthrough wins, so there is clear value in giving British players these development opportunities."
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