Facing a sporting icon is never easy, but for Tatjana Maria, defeating Venus Williams at the Hobart International came with an added emotional challenge — her own children are devoted fans of the American tennis legend.

Maria produced a composed performance to beat Williams 6-4, 6-3 in the first round on Tuesday, ending the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s run at the WTA warm-up event ahead of the Australian Open. While the result was professionally satisfying, the personal circumstances made the occasion bittersweet.

“Everybody loves Venus — I love her too,” Maria said during her on-court interview after the match. “My daughters are fans of Venus, so it was tough.”

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A Family Affair on Court

The 38-year-old German travels on tour with her two daughters — Charlotte, 12, and Cecilia, four — both of whom were thrilled at the prospect of seeing Venus Williams compete up close.

“They said they are for me, but…” Maria added with a smile. “Charlotte was so happy. Her first reaction was, ‘Oh my god, that’s so amazing, I’m going to see Venus against you.’ She was super happy.”

Maria revealed that the family connection to Williams goes even deeper than fandom, explaining that they live close to each other and know one another personally.

“We live across the street, we are neighbours, I know her really well,” Maria said. “To play her was such an honour because I never played her before.”

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A Historic Match in WTA History

The meeting between Maria (38) and Williams (45) was notable beyond the emotional storyline. It marked the highest combined age for a main-draw singles match in WTA history, underlining both players’ remarkable longevity in professional tennis.

For Williams, the defeat followed a first-round loss in Auckland last week as she continues her comeback during her 30th year on the WTA Tour — a milestone rarely reached in modern tennis.

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Venus Williams’ Enduring Legacy

Venus Williams made her professional debut in 1994 and has since built one of the most celebrated careers in the history of the sport. She has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, along with 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, most of them alongside her sister Serena Williams.

Together, the Williams sisters redefined women’s tennis, also capturing three Olympic gold medals in doubles and dominating the sport for more than a decade.

Despite her recent early exits, Venus remains one of the most popular figures in tennis, with fans continuing to flock to see her compete.

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Eyes on the Australian Open

Williams’ return to competition is set to continue after she received a wildcard entry for the Australian Open, which begins on Sunday. The Melbourne tournament will offer her another opportunity to test herself against the next generation while adding yet another chapter to her extraordinary career.

For Tatjana Maria, the victory was both professionally rewarding and emotionally complex — a reminder that even at the highest level of sport, personal moments can be just as powerful as the result on the scoreboard.