German tennis fairy tale in Wimbledon?
Niemeier and Maria continue to work on the surprise
Created: 07/03/2022, 10:11 am
By: Patrick Huljina
Jule Niemeier and Tatjana Maria are the German tennis surprises in Wimbledon.
On Sunday, both will fight for their first place in the quarter-finals.
London – There is a twelve-year difference between Jule Niemeier (22) and Tatjana Maria (34).
But the two German tennis players have one goal in common: both want to continue their fairytale run in Wimbledon.
They are playing their best Grand Slam tournament so far and could advance to the quarterfinals for the first time.
This is also associated with a special honor at the classic lawn in London.
Wimbledon: Niemeier is allowed to play on Center Court – "That's why you play tennis"
The 22-year-old Niemeier is a new star that is just rising in the German tennis sky.
In her first Wimbledon participation, the native of Dortmund made it into the top 16 much earlier than expected.
On their way there, Niemeier - number 97 in the world - impressively defeated the third in the world rankings, Anett Kontaveit, in two sets: 6:4 and 6:0.
In a nerve thriller against the Ukrainian Lessia Zurenko (6: 4, 3: 6, 6: 3) she was able to confirm her performance.
"That's the next step, that you win matches if you don't show your best tennis," said Niemeier afterwards about her performance.
Briton Heather Watson is now waiting at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The 22-year-old German can even play against the local hero on the legendary Center Court.
"It is a honor.
It's one of the biggest stages on the tour, that's why you play tennis," said the hopeful youngster, full of anticipation.
Niemeier and Maria: German Wimbledon hopes "have nothing to lose"
Half an hour earlier, the second German will compete in the Wimbledon round of 16.
Tatjana Maria - number 103 in the world rankings - meets on court 1 against the number 12 seeded Latvian Jelena Ostapenko.
In her 35th Grand Slam participation, 34-year-old Maria has come as far as never before.
In the previous round, she knocked out world number five Maria Sakkari from Greece (6:3, 7:5).
"Both have nothing to lose, try to enjoy playing their game as much as possible," said German tennis superstar Angelique Kerber in the run-up to the round of 16 matches.
After her early exit, the 2018 Wimbledon winner was happy about the two German tennis surprises in the classic lawn.
Should Niemeier and Maria make it into the top eight, it would be a direct duel.
German tennis hopes in Wimbledon: Tatjana Maria (left) and Jule Niemeier.
© Frank Molter, Kirsty Wigglesworth/dpa
also read
Tatjana Maria and Jule Niemeier: Two German power women stir up Wimbledon
CHIO horse show in Aachen: drama about the world champion horse – Allstar B has to be put down
In addition to sporting success, getting into the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the two would also mean joining an elite circle – the so-called “Last 8 Club”.
This includes all quarterfinalists in singles, semifinalists in doubles and finalists in mixed at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
Membership entitles you to visit the tournament for life, bringing a guest and special seats on Center Court and Court 1.
There is also free tea and coffee and happy hour every day from 6pm to 7pm.
(ph/dpa)