Despite being an outsider, Rittner believes Tatjana Maria has a chance
National tennis coach Barbara Rittner sees the Wimbledon surprise Tatjana Maria in the semi-final duel with the Tunisian Ons Jabeur as an outsider - but she also believes in the 34-year-old's chance.
by SID
last edit:
Jul 06, 2022, 07:20 pm
"I'm very curious to see how Jabeur puts it away nervously, because I'm sure that 'Tadde' will enjoy it again in a relatively cool way and get the best out of himself," Rittner told SID on Wednesday.
Maria herself proclaimed her own path as a tennis pro early on. "She was one of the young players, with Andrea Petkovic, who said at 17, 18: 'Hey, we can do it, we're good enough, we'll be good professionals, we want to be among the best in the world'," said Rittner: "That Tatjana's glass is always half full, no matter how difficult the challenges were."
Maria opponent Jabeur: "Tick more power and physicality"
Now the next of these hurdles awaits with Jabeur. The Tunisian got to know Rittner well in the past. Jabeur is "a really great young lady". Compared to Maria, she has "a bit more power and physicality" - and is therefore her tip for entering the final.
The strength of Maria lies in the green background. "She's always dangerous on grass because she's very effective with her sensitive game, the undercut balls that stay deep," said the national coach.
Irrespective of the result on Thursday, Rittner paid Maria a lot of respect: "You have to take off all your hats. She left her heart on the pitch and fought like a lioness for every single point."