Beatriz Haddad Maia made history on Monday as she became the first Brazilian woman to enter the top 10 of the WTA rankings.
Her incredible performance at the French Open led her to the semi-finals, marking the first time in 55 years that a Brazilian woman has achieved such a feat in a Grand Slam tournament.
In the quarter-finals in Paris, the 27-year-old defeated Tunisia's Ons Jabeur, solidifying her place among the top contenders. Although she was eventually defeated by the eventual champion Iga Swiatek, Haddad Maia's remarkable journey had already made a lasting impact.
Carrying a ranking of 10, Haddad Maia now sets her sights on the upcoming grasscourt season.
Her impressive performance on grass last year adds to the anticipation surrounding her performance in this week's Nottingham Open, as it serves as a crucial buildup event for Wimbledon, one of the most prestigious tournaments in tennis.
It is true that Brazilian women's tennis has seen limited success since the era of Maria Bueno, who achieved remarkable feats by winning seven Grand Slam titles between 1959 and 1966.
It's important to note that the WTA rankings, which we now use to assess a player's standing in women's tennis, were introduced in 1975. Therefore, Bueno's accomplishments occurred prior to the establishment of these rankings.
On the other hand, Brazilian men's tennis experienced a significant achievement when Gustavo Kuerten, a three-time French Open champion, reached the number one spot in the ATP rankings in 2000.
Kuerten's rise to the top of the men's rankings brought considerable recognition to Brazilian tennis and remains a notable milestone in the country's tennis history.
