Finding a life partner who not only respects your profession but also stands by you every step of the way is a dream for many. For Tatjana Maria, this dream is a beautiful reality. Her husband, Charles Edouard Maria, isn’t just her biggest supporter off the court; he’s played a big role in Maria’s on-court career as well. Together, they form a powerful duo, with Charles playing a pivotal role in Tatjana’s journey, offering guidance, strength, and unwavering support. It’s a partnership that goes beyond love—it’s a shared passion for tennis and a commitment to each other’s success.

Charles Edouard Maria is himself a former tennis player who briefly represented France on the ATP Tour. While he failed to achieve significantly as a player, he has contributed immensely to the career of Tatjana, after he decided to turn towards coaching when he was just 28.

Charles and Tatjana met in 2012, and their friendship evolved into a professional partnership on the tennis courts. Soon, the duo fell in love, which marked the beginning of a journey that was more than professional. The couple married in April 2013, and it has been over a decade since the Frenchman is coaching the German star for her matches. 

The duo were blessed with their first daughter Charlotte in December 2013. Their second daughter, Cecilia was born eight years later in 2021. They have demonstrated immense love and respect time and again for each other. In an interview in 2023, Maria acknowledged the importance of her family. “My family is the most important thing in the world for me. I love traveling with my husband and my kids,” she said. Maria also revealed the impact that Charles had on her career and credited him for helping her improve her skills.

On the other hand, the French coach has also depicted immense respect for his tennis-playing wife. “Tatjana had a special game. A lot of people wanted to change her playing style, with her slice and all this, but at the end, that’s her, that’s what she feels comfortable with,” Charles said.

Continuing further, Charles claimed that he never forced the German WTA star to make any changes to her playing techniques, and rather focused on polishing the existing skills. However, there is one playing technique that Tatjana changed drastically, and her husband played a critical role in the process. 

When Tatjana Maria made a significant change to her playing style

Tatjana Maria has done some unique things in her tennis career. Besides being the only player to enter a Grand Slam semifinal as the ‘mother of two,’ which she did at Wimbledon in 2022, Maria is also known for a unique characteristic she developed. 

Once known for a two-handed backhand, the star player modified it drastically. She became the first ever player to switch from this style to a one-handed backhand, which not only surprised her opponents but the fans as well. Maria revealed that the advice came from her husband and coach Charles Edouard Maria, whom she claimed to believe 100%. 

Maria used to play a lot of slices before the change. However, her double-handed backhand used to block her shots, which she decided to change in consultation with her coach. “When I was pregnant with Charlotte, we changed my two-handed backhand to one-handed backhand,” she said in an interview.

As the star player gears up to face Coco Gauff in the second round of the US Open, it would be interesting to see if she can get some magical suggestions from her husband and coach to win big.