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BEATRIZ HADDAD MAIA had to utilize an underarm serve while coping with intense pain on the first day of the 2025 tennis season.
The new season commenced in Australia this week as teams vied for victory in the United Cup.
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Brazil went up against China in Perth, where Haddad Maia faced Gao Xinyu in the opening encounter.
Ranked 158 places higher than her opponent at No. 17, the Brazilian was seen as the strong favorite.
However, true to Haddad Maia’s previous contests, it turned into a tough three-set clash.
The 28-year-old won the first set 7-5 but Gao responded by taking the second set 6-4, equalizing the match.
During the third set, Haddad Maia began to suffer from severe cramps.
In the eighth game, while she was leading 4-3, the pain became so overwhelming that she had difficulty serving overhand.
At one moment, she tried her typical serve but was unable to finish the motion due to the excruciating pain.
Since cramping is viewed as a conditioning issue rather than an injury, players cannot request a medical timeout.
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Consequently, Haddad Maia had to persevere, receiving treatment during changeovers, but ultimately lost the match and was broken back to 4-4.
Gao, 27, also experienced physical difficulties and was seen with tape on her left knee.
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Ultimately, Gao secured victory 7-5 in the third set after three hours and 22 minutes, making it the longest women’s match ever played at the United Cup.
Haddad Maia has established a reputation for being involved in grueling matches.
Tennis writer Bastien Fachan noted that this marked her 15th match lasting over three hours since 2022.
Following Haddad Maia’s defeat to Gao—who played only because Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen withdrew—Thiago Monteiro had to face Zhang Zhizhen to keep Brazil’s hopes alive.
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The second match was a stark contrast to the first but resulted in the same outcome, as Chinese player Zhang defeated Monteiro 6-3 6-0 in just 56 minutes, securing the tie.
As the United Cup employs a round-robin format, the final mixed doubles match was also contested for potential tie-breaking scenarios later on.
China achieved a clean sweep, with Zhang collaborating with Zhang Shuai—who shares no relation—to overcome Carolina Alves and Rafael Matos 6-4 7-5 in one hour and 18 minutes.
Brazil is set to return to play tomorrow against Germany.
It remains uncertain whether Haddad Maia will be able to compete after her grueling match with Gao.
Meanwhile, China will take on Germany during the Monday night session.
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