HSBC CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 13, 2025

Tatjana Maria

Queens Club

Press Conference

T. MARIA/E. Rybakina

6-4, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Congrats on the win. Talk us through how you thought the match went, what you think was the difference for you.

TATJANA MARIA: Yeah, I mean, I went in this match really focused and calm, because I knew that -- I mean, she's a tough player and she plays pretty fast, so I knew that I have to be there, to react fast, yeah, to not let it go right away, and to serve well.

That's actually what I did. Yeah, I found my rhythm better and better middle of the first set. Was happy of course to win the first set. And after, I got a break right away. She was 3-1 up, but I told myself, okay, keep going, because I broke her also in the first set, so I was really confident till the end of this match.

Yeah, I think that's why I won.

Q. Can I ask about your backhand and the switch you made, I think it was a few years ago, and how that came about, the change that you made.

TATJANA MARIA: Yeah. I mean, I was playing slice also before when I had a two-hand backhand, but my husband, when I got pregnant with Charlotte, told me that he would like that I change to a one-hand backhand because I play so much slice, so from the position, everything was already made for the one-hand backhand.

So I trusted him 100%. I said, Okay, we have nothing to lose, in case I have my slice.

But I think it was a really important change for me, and it feels like I never played anything else.

Q. How do you make it work? Particularly on grass, it's really effective. We have seen other players move towards basically just hitting a slice. How do you use it to make it so effective?

TATJANA MARIA: I mean, it's my game style, so it's not like I change, that I come on grass and suddenly I play only slice. I play a lot of slice in general.

But the grass fits for me perfectly, because it takes the slice really good and it keeps it low, and this is the hard part for players, because nobody plays like me. Yeah, so I have to try to take this opportunity to make them play as many balls as possible.

Q. Do you think we will see anyone else playing with a single-hand backhand? Because it's so rare now, especially on the women's side.

TATJANA MARIA: Yeah, that's true. We have not a lot of players with a single backhand, but, I mean, maybe in the future it might change.

Q. I saw your team, and there was a pram next to your team. Was that your daughter who sat courtside?

TATJANA MARIA: Yes, it is.

Q. I hadn't noticed it in previous matches. Is that something she does a lot, sit courtside?

TATJANA MARIA: She's always on the courtside, yeah. I mean, I have two girls, one 11 and one, she's 4 years old. And for the moment, I don't know how we do it, but she's sleeping through the matches normally.

I mean, I saw at one point she woke up. She's always courtside. Yes, always with us.

Q. Falls asleep to the sound of the tennis ball being hit?

TATJANA MARIA: Yes. They are both growing up on a tennis court from little since we travel. Yeah, used to it.

Q. How have you found this event? Have you enjoyed it so far?

TATJANA MARIA: No, it's super nice. It's a privilege for us to play here, because we know this event for many, many years in the TV. Yeah, the men, they were playing here all the time. For us, it's super nice to have tournaments like this. I guess we are all super happy to be here.