Barbara Rittner can still well remember the early days of the "golden generation", the unnoticed early days of the German Miss Miracle. At that time, all later stars and starlets appeared in sighting courses in front of the national coach - Angelique Kerber, Andrea Petkovic or Julia Görges. One player, however, had once particularly impressed Rittner: Tatjana Maria, who was still called Malek at the time. "She had an absolutely extraordinary talent, a very own style," says Rittner.

Much time has passed since those test exercises at a young age. Fate often put Maria to a severe test afterwards. She barely survived a life-threatening pulmonary embolism, and the early death of her beloved father Heinrich threw her off course. But Maria didn't let that get her down, she fought her way back to life and then to the tennis court. To then find her private happiness there with husband and trainer Charles and late sporting success.

In any case, in the spring of 2022, the native of Bad Saulgau, just called "Tadde" by her colleagues, wrote the most surprising, beautiful and touching German story of this tennis season. Mamma Mia: Twelve months after the birth of her second daughter Cecilia, Maria was stunned with happiness on the Center Court of the Colombian capital Bogota - as a sensation winner of the WTA competition. "It's a wonderful, overwhelming feeling," said Mama Maria, "I'm glad I can enjoy it all with my family."

Tatjana Maria can no longer imagine traveling alone

As a qualifier, the German started the last stop of her South America tour. She made it into the main draw with two victories, picked up another four victories and then fought her way in the final against the Brazilian Laura Pigossi in two and a half hours for the second cup coup of her turbulent career after the Mallorca Open in 2018. "Great win," tweeted Belgium's superstar enthusiastic about Maria's march through - from mother to mother.

Maria's return to the top of the world picked up speed again with the hard-fought title run. From position 237 in the WTA rankings, the 34-year-old jumped up to 114th place, so she greeted the fourth best German in the pecking order - with the chance to play her unconventional game again in the coming weeks and months - To get closer to an all-time high (46th place). Maria also shone in the triumph in Bogota with varied Center Court presentations, a game beyond the widespread power play dullness. "Queen of the Slice" was the title of Bogoto's "El Tiempo" about the successful German guest player, who enjoyed the victory ceremonies together with her coach husband Charles and their daughters Charlotte and Cecilia.

"Expect the Unexpected"

In her late professional life, Maria can rely on a certain pragmatism and patent character. “You have to be prepared to expect the unexpected every day. And then master it," says the mother of two, "however, you can only do all this with massive support." Without the help of both families, the Marias and the Maleks, the adventures on the tennis tour would hardly have been possible. Even the grandparents were enlisted to take care of the children to make a happy ending to a difficult career possible.

Professional sport and being a mother are "absolutely possible," says Maria, "but I would expect more support from our women's players' organization." Protected Ranking), which is actually intended for injured players, Maria said recently in a “Sportschau” interview, “the rules should really be changed there.”

Without her family, she would not have been on the tennis tour for a long time, Maria also says, "being alone in hotels, spending time alone at the tournaments, that would no longer be for me."