Queen's 2026: Tatjana Maria calls for 'respect' after wildcard decision

'I deserved a wildcard and to get a little bit of respect' - Maria Tatjana Maria says Queen's should show more respect to its defending champions after she had to go through qualifying to reach the main draw. The German, then aged 37, beat eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in last year's final as a qualifier as a women's event returned to Queen's after a 52-year absence. Four lower-ranked British players were awarded wildcards for the tournament, while Maria had to win two qualifying matches on Sunday. She will face Greece's Maria Sakkari in the first round on Tuesday. "It didn't feel [different to last year]. It feels almost like a normal tournament because I had to start over again in qualifying," Maria, an honorary life member at the club, told BBC Sport. "Already what I did last year was amazing and to be a champion here, I thought I deserved a wildcard and to get a little bit of respect." In further comments to reporters, Maria added: "I did it last year. It was not five years ago. "I was surprised when I got the message of [tournament director] Laura Robson saying all the wildcards would go to the British players, which I understand. But as a champion, it's tough for me. "It is so