Maria seeks respect after Queen's qualifying snub for defending champion status

Tatjana Maria, the defending champion at the Queen's Club tournament, has called for increased respect for players who have previously won the title. Maria, a mother of two, found herself needing to compete in the qualifying rounds to secure a spot in the main draw, a situation she feels undermines the recognition due to a champion.

"I think they should show more respect to the defending champions," Maria stated, expressing her frustration with the tournament's organization. She highlighted that despite her previous victory, she was not automatically placed in the main draw, a common courtesy extended to champions in many tournaments.

The German player's comments come after a successful run through qualifying, where she demonstrated her continued prowess on the court. However, the experience of having to re-earn her place has clearly left a mark, prompting her to voice her concerns about how defending champions are treated.

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I think they should show more respect to the defending champions.