Tatjana Maria: The Oldest Player Thriving in WTA’s Top 100 with Wins Over Rybakina and Williams

The WTA Tour’s top 100 singles players span a wide age range, from 18-year-old rising stars to seasoned veterans nearing 40. Among these athletes, Lilli Tagger stands as one of five teenagers ranked inside the top 100, representing the sport's youngest talent. Another notable teen is 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who became one of the youngest Grand Slam champions at Roland Garros earlier this year.

Tatjana Maria: A Veteran Still Competing Strong

At 39 years old, Tatjana Maria is the oldest player currently in the WTA top 100, holding the world No. 84 spot. Maria debuted in the WTA main draw in Luxembourg back in 2006, when she was just 19. Now, more than two decades later, she remains a competitive presence on tour.

Maria is known for her unusual style, favoring slice shots on both forehand and backhand sides. This change came after a break from the tour following the birth of her first child, Charlotte, in 2013. Before adopting this approach, she had never cracked the top 60. This shift has helped her reach new heights in her career.

Career Highlights of Tatjana Maria

• Career-high ranking: No. 36 (July 2025)
• WTA titles won: 4 (Mallorca Open 2018, Copa Colsanitas 2022 & 2023, Queen's Club Championships 2025)
• Best Grand Slam result: Wimbledon semi-finalist (2022)

Her most impressive title came at the 2025 Queen's Club Championships, where she defeated tough opponents like Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova, and Madison Keys. Throughout her career, she has also claimed victories over stars such as Venus Williams, Elina Svitolina, and Sloane Stephens.

This year, although her results have been mixed, Maria still reached the final in Eastbourne, made the semi-finals on clay in Rouen, and won a WTA 125 title on grass in Newport, Rhode Island. These achievements have kept her as the oldest player in the WTA top 100, now at nearly 39 years and two months old.

Maria continues to compete actively, currently playing at the ITF 100k event in Templeton, California, showing no sign of stepping away from the sport anytime soon.

Comparing to the Oldest ATP Player in the Top 100

While Maria stands out on the WTA side, the ATP Tour’s oldest player in the top 100 is Novak Djokovic, who is also 39 years old and ranked world No. 11. Djokovic holds a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, more than any male player in history. His accolades include 40 Masters 1000 titles, seven ATP Finals wins, and he is the reigning Olympic gold medallist.

Though Djokovic hasn’t added a Grand Slam title in the last three years and recently exited early at the US Open, he remains focused on competing through the 2028 LA Olympics, when he will be 41.

Inspiration Across Generations

Tatjana Maria and Novak Djokovic embody longevity in tennis, inspiring younger players by proving that age does not limit achievement on the court. Their careers highlight different paths but share a commitment to staying competitive at the highest level despite the passage of time.