Tatjana Maria explodes against the Queen's organization: "They owe me respect as the current champion"

"With all due respect for what I achieved last year, I was quite convinced that I would receive a wildcard, or at least hoped for it, because I got one last year. It wasn't five years ago; it was literally last year, especially at this tournament. Coming back as the champion honestly made me think I would receive a wildcard."

"I was surprised, of course, when I received a message from Laura Robson (tournament director) telling me that all wildcards were going to British players. I understand, of course, but as the champion, it's hard for me to accept. Yes, I won my two matches yesterday and I'm in the tournament, but the point is that I was the champion and I'm still the reigning champion. With the respect I deserve for it, I thought I would receive one of the wildcards."

"That's why I also believe I should have received an invitation. At the end of the day, in addition to everything else, I am a mother of two children. I am 37 years old, still a mother of two children, and I continue to play every week. It's not like I took a break or that people might think, 'She's retired.' No, I'm not retiring. I'm back and competing again."

Tatjana Maria, last year's 'Queen of Queen's', expressing her disappointment at being denied a wildcard to defend her title: "to come back like a champion, I really hoped or thought I would get a wildcard... I was surprised, of course, when I got the message from Laura Robson saying that all the wildcards will… pic.twitter.com/e9nwWHTDoE

— Tennis Weekly Podcast (@tennisweeklypod) June 8, 2026