Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova; born April 19, 1987) is a Russian professional tennis player. A United States resident since 1994, Sharapova has competed on the WTA tour since 2001. She has been ranked world No. 1 in singles by the WTA on five separate occasions, for a total of 21 weeks. She is one of ten women, and the only Russian, to hold the career Grand Slam. She is also an Olympic medalist, having earned silver for Russia in women's singles...
NationalityRussian
ProfessionTennis Player
Date of Birth19 April 1987
CityNyagan, Russia
CountryRussian Federation
I wasn't winning that match. She was doing the right things and I wasn't.
I played really solid tennis. I played smart tennis. I took out her strengths. It's just exciting to beat someone that's playing such amazing tennis, especially after having a tough few months. I feel comfortable with the pace that I'm hitting and with the way I'm moving.
She tried to mix it up a little at the end of the first set and I knew it would be physically harder. Mentally, I told myself it doesn't matter how many balls it takes, you're going to do everything possible to get one more ball back.
I want to play for Russia, I definitely want to play for Russia in Fed Cup competition,
That's makes it even tougher but that's what it's all about. That's why we're here, for the competition. I love it when it gets tough.
But it's about being in those situations and learning from them and although I've played a lot of matches already in my life, I'm still pretty young and have a lot to learn. But I am learning and I think you can see that.
In the second set I could have fought a little harder. I didn't have the fighting sprit that I usually have.
The computer doesn't lie. You have to achieve something to get there. It's been an amazing two years and the achievement is amazing.
Do you remember what Richard III said about wearing the crown?
It's like he's Mr Perfect and nothing's going wrong for him at this point,
A great tennis career is something that a 15-year-old normally doesnt have. I hope my example helps other teens believe they can accomplish things they never thought possible.
I think we got the point that there was a soccer match or something going on.
I was in that period right after I won Wimbledon, ... The next four months, I felt like I had to win every match. It's a matter of telling yourself that it's impossible to win everything ? no matter what people say. You can't control people's actions. My big thing is to just keep working hard. Because one day, you're going to be on court and you'll win a match and realize that the hard work paid off. That's exactly what I did last year. I lost here and I worked my butt off.
The first set was really downhill for me. I don't think there was one positive thing in the first set that I did.