Haddad Maia Eyes Stuttgart Return, Draws on Guga Kuerten Legacy

São Paulo native Beatriz Haddad Maia is heading to Stuttgart, Germany, aiming to build on a promising 2024 and solidify her position in the Top 10. The 28-year-old, currently ranked 17th in the WTA rankings, faces a significant challenge in her opening round match against No. 7 seed Emma Navarro – a matchup highlighted by both players’ strong clay-court games.

Haddad Maia’s journey to Stuttgart is inextricably linked to the iconic Brazilian tennis player, Gustavo Kuerten, or “Guga.” Born the year after Kuerten turned professional and a year before his historic French Open victory, Haddad Maia has grown up immersed in the story of Kuerten’s dominance on clay. “All of us in Brazil, we grew up hearing about Roland Garros, hearing about Guga and the wins,” Haddad Maia stated. “Most of the courts that we have are clay courts and we are more used to playing on this surface.”

“I really like to play on clay. The ball bounces a little bit more. We have rallies. I can also play as a lefty. It’s a very big moment of the year that I can improve my game.” – Beatriz Haddad Maia

The Stuttgart event presents a strategic opportunity for Haddad Maia. She’s hoping a two-month stint on European clay will revitalize her game after a challenging start to the year. In the fall of 2023, Haddad Maia enjoyed exceptional success, culminating in a semifinal appearance at the French Open, a remarkable achievement for the Brazilian. Prior to that, she secured a quarterfinal finish in Stuttgart itself and a runner-up position in Rome – both against top opponents, including a loss to Iga Świątek.

Haddad Maia’s recent form has been inconsistent, but she consistently emphasizes a hard-working approach, viewing it as the key to her success. “There have been moments when I wasn’t playing my best tennis,” she said. “For me, the key was always to work hard, keep in the present, have a positive mentality as I have during my career.”

Adding another layer to this matchup is a personal rivalry. Haddad Maia holds a 2-1 head-to-head record against Navarro, with both victories occurring on clay. Notably, her win in Madrid last year came after defeating Navarro, and she secured a victory over the American in Strasbourg earlier this year. “For sure, is a tough match,” Haddad Maia commented. “She had an amazing year last year. She came from college and it’s nice to see girls improving and pushing the level up.”

Interestingly, Haddad Maia and Navarro have reportedly trained together recently, most recently in Merida, Mexico, in February. This familiarity could provide a slight advantage for Haddad Maia, allowing her to prepare specifically for her opponent’s game.

Her ultimate goal remains to crack the Top 10 – a feat she achieved briefly in 2022 following her strong performance in Paris. “Clay, it’s a very different game,” Haddad Maia added. “I have good feelings, good memories. I’m very excited for what is coming.”

FAQ

• What tournament is Haddad Maia competing in? She is competing in Stuttgart, Germany.
• Who is Haddad Maia’s opponent in the first round? Emma Navarro.
• What is Haddad Maia’s career clay-court record? She has a career record of 30-25 on clay courts.

Did you know? Haddad Maia’s impressive performance in Seoul, South Korea (WTA 500), saw her win 12 of 14 matches in the span of two months.

Pro Tip: Clay-court specialists like Haddad Maia thrive on longer rallies and strategic positioning. Watch for her use of spin and movement to dictate the pace of the match.

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