It is never easy playing a fan favourite in sport – particularly not when your children are huge supporters of your opponent.
That is the situation Tatjana Maria faced when she beat Venus Williams 6-4 6-3 at the Hobart International on Tuesday.
Germany’s Maria travels with her two daughters, 12-year-old Charlotte and four-year-old Cecilia, who are big fans of the American great.
“Everybody loves Venus – I love her too!” Maria said in her on-court interview.
“My daughters are a fan of Venus, so it was tough. They said they are for me but…
“Charlotte was so happy – the first reaction was ‘oh my god, that’s so amazing, I’m going to see Venus against you’. She was super happy.
“We live across the street, we are neighbours, I know her really well.
“To play her was such an honour because I never played her before.”
