Tatjana Maria and Jule Niemeier: Two German power women stir up Wimbledon

Created: 07/03/2022 06:03

By: Kai Hartwig

At the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon, two German women are sensationally in the round of 16.

Your everyday life could hardly be more different.

Wimbledon – The British capital London is the hub of the sports world these days.

This year's edition of the most traditional tennis tournament will be held in the district of Wimbledon.

A German women's duo is still part of the Grand Slam - and has stirred up the world elite in the past few days.

Tatjana Maria and Jule Niemeier will play their round of 16 matches on Sunday (July 3rd).

The two want to continue their grandiose run of the first three rounds.

Wimbledon: Tatjana Maria and Jule Niemeier stir up the tennis world

In round three there were three Germans in the women's tableau: Angelique Kerber and Niemeier as well as Maria.

Some experts had counted on Kerber, the 2018 Wimbledon champion.

However, the multiple Grand Slam winner lost her third round game against Belgian Elise Mertens in two sets after a poor performance.

But the outsiders Niemeier (world rankings 97th) and Tatjana Maria (103rd) trumped big.

The sporty biggest chunk was cleared by the latter in lap three.

Maria defeated world number five Greek Maria Sakkari 6-3, 7-5.

The German unnerved the favorite with her flat slice on the forehand and backhand side, which is very well received on grass from the surface, and strong volleys.

The success means that 34-year-old Maria is in the round of 16 for the first time in her career at a Grand Slam tournament.

Tatjana Maria is happy about her third round victory in Wimbledon.

© Kirsty Wigglesworth/dpa

After the match, the mother of two was overjoyed: "There are no words for it, just pure joy that I can experience this with my family," she said - and thanked her husband Charles Edouard Maria, who was also her coach acts: "Without him none of this would be possible, he always believes in me, he supports me in everything."

Wimbledon: Tatjana Maria storms into the round of 16 as a mother of two – “nothing has changed” for the daughters

Family life is a priority for Maria and may also be a key to success.

"Maybe you think a little differently as a mom, my focus is on my children," said Maria after the Sakkari match.

"I'll go over there later, fetch my children from childcare and be the mom.

Nothing has changed for them, whether I win or lose.”

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Between matches and training sessions, she and her husband look after their two daughters.

The younger, Cecilia, was born in 2021.

Her older sister Charlotte is now eight years old - and already swings the racquet, just like her mum.

Charlotte does show talent, which seems to have been instilled in her parents.

Because papa Charles Edouard was once a tennis pro.

Tatjana Maria won her second title on the WTA Tour in Bogota in April 2022.

She celebrated with husband Charles Edouard and daughters Charlotte (2nd from left) and Cecilia.

© Cristian Bayona/dpa

Wimbledon: Tatjana Maria wants daughter Charlotte to "be a role model" – the eight-year-old shows her tennis talent

"I'm trying to be a role model for her," meanwhile said the mother.

And prophesied with pride: "She will be the next champion." But first of all, Charlotte's mother wants to reach the round of the last eight in the present.

In the round of 16, Maria will face Jelena Ostapenko from Latvia.

There is another surprise in store for the German grass specialist, who won one of her two WTA Tour tournament victories on grass in Mallorca in 2018.

And should Maria win, there could be a German duel with Jule Niemeier in the quarter-finals.

Wimbledon: Jule Niemeier has to face local hero Watson and the audience in the round of 16

The Dortmund native, Maria's teammate in the Bundesliga team at TC Bredeney, is a significantly different type of player than her compatriot.

Instead of slicing a lot, Niemeier relies on power tennis, especially with a strong forehand and a very good serve.

In round two, the 22-year-old defeated Anett Kontaveit (Estonia), third in the world rankings, 6-4 and 6-0.

Niemeier had to fight a little harder for her round of 16 ticket, beating Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko in three sets.

The round of 16 against Briton Heather Watson will now be a battle against the opponent and the frenetic home crowd.

The spectators will loudly cheer for their compatriot - probably on Center Court.

“The atmosphere will be incredible,” believes Niemeier.

But she remains calm: "I'm looking forward to it."

Andrea Petkovic (left) thinks highly of Jule Niemeier.

Both played doubles together at Wimbledon.

© Frank Molter/dpa

Wimbledon: Self-confident Jule Niemeier "can beat almost anyone" - Petkovic praises doubles partner

The young German is not lacking in self-confidence.

Of course, that increased even more after Niemeier fought his way through qualifying into the main draw at Wimbledon.

After their strong performances, the young hope was: "I can beat almost anyone."

Andrea Petkovic takes a similar view.

The long-time Fed Cup player was Niemeier's doubles partner at Wimbledon and thinks highly of her.

"In terms of play, she is an absolute top 20 player for me," said Petkovic of the

Z: "She knows that, I tell her that seven to eight times a day." (kh)