QUITO/STARNBERG, December 1, 2025
The atmosphere of international tennis competition is already building at the Quito Tenis & Golf Club, host of the WTA 125 Quito Copa Banco Guayaquil. The tournament runs from December 1–7, with the champion earning 125 WTA Ranking points.
The arrival of Germany’s Tatjana Maria, World No. 41 and the tournament’s top seed, along with several players set to compete in qualifying and the main draw, has brought a steady buzz around the club as players train and adjust their game to the demanding 2,800 meters of altitude.
“I feel good. I just arrived yesterday, we had a good trip. The first practice is always tough because of the altitude, but we have to get used to it. We have to take everything step by step, and to be honest I felt really good on court. So I’m very happy to be here,” Maria said after completing her first practice session on Sunday afternoon.
At 38 years old and the mother of two daughters, Maria continues to prove that age is no barrier against the younger, ever more powerful generation of players on tour.
Her résumé includes four WTA Tour titles, two of them won at altitude in Bogota (2022 and 2023), as well as this year’s WTA 500 trophy at London’s Queen’s Club. She currently sits at No. 41 in the WTA Rankings, having reached a career-high of No. 36 this past July.
“I love playing in altitude. I mean, yes—I won in Bogotá. It’s not easy at all to get used to it. At the beginning it’s tough, but it’s the same for everybody. I try to enjoy the week and work on many things. It’s wonderful to have this opportunity here,” added Tatjana Malek – her maiden name before marrying Frenchman Charles Maria in 2013. Maria, a former player who reached No. 398 in 2001, is also her coach and is with her in Quito.
Maria will make her tournament debut on Tuesday against Spain’s Irene Burillo.
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
