Beatriz Haddad Maia, born in Brazil a year after Gustavo Kuerten turned pro and a year before his first Roland Garros victory, is ready for another strong performance on clay.
Kuerten, a three-time French Open champion, famously drew a heart on the clay during his 2001 win. His success has been a significant influence in Brazil.
“Growing up in Brazil, everyone heard about Roland Garros and Guga’s victories,” Haddad Maia mentioned in Stuttgart. “Most courts in Brazil are clay, so we are accustomed to this surface.”
She added, “I genuinely enjoy playing on clay. The higher bounce allows for longer rallies, and being a lefty is advantageous. This part of the year is crucial for improving my game.”
Haddad Maia faced a tough first round in Stuttgart against No. 7 seed Emma Navarro, highlighting the tournament`s strong field.
With a 30-25 career record on clay, Haddad Maia hopes to regain the confidence that fueled her successful fall season, where she reached the Cleveland final, US Open quarter-finals, and won in Seoul.
Despite a challenging year after reaching the Australian Open third round, Haddad Maia emphasizes hard work as the key to improvement.
“There were times when my tennis wasn`t at its peak,” she admitted. “For me, the solution is always to work hard, stay focused on the present, and maintain a positive attitude, as I always have.”
She continued, “The mindset is to be resilient and true to myself, controlling what I can and not worrying about what’s beyond my control. I`m not a genius; I know I need to work hard for opportunities.”
This hard work paid off in 2023 when she had an impressive clay season, reaching the quarter-finals in Stuttgart and Rome, and achieving her best Grand Slam result by reaching the Roland Garros semi-finals.
Last year in Madrid, Haddad Maia reached the quarter-finals, defeating Navarro before losing to Iga Swiatek.
Haddad Maia holds a 2-1 lead over Navarro, with her two wins on clay, including Madrid last year and Strasbourg in 2024.
Facing Navarro again, Haddad Maia acknowledged the challenge: “It will be a tough match. She had a fantastic year coming from college, and it’s great to see players rising. I will focus on my game and hope for another win.”
Currently ranked No. 17, Haddad Maia aims to break into the Top 10 again, a goal she achieved after her Paris semi-final run two years prior, and to maintain her health.
“Clay court tennis is very different,” Haddad Maia concluded. “I have positive feelings and good memories. I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
