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
Women's tennis players are getting as many sponsors and media coverage as men, and our TV ratings at the Grand Slams are pretty much equal to and often better than the men, so I don't understand the rationale for paying the men more than us.
When I look back, there were chances I could have taken and didn't. In the second set especially, I didn't have my usual fight to the end. It wasn't any particular point, but a little here and there made a big difference.
When the matches get tougher and you're pushed more, automatically, the level of your game increases.
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.
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.
The first set was really downhill for me. I don't think there was one positive thing in the first set that I did.
I think we got the point that there was a soccer match or something going on.
That's why we have journalists, for stats.
Women's tennis is at such a high level now that any of the top 10 or 20 players could give me a tough match. Martina is on her comeback and no doubt will reach the top again but I don't have a specific rival here.
When I'm down or when it's close in a match, I feel like I am still in it. Mentally I'm still really, really tough.
When I do that, it means I'm not going to miss the ball.
Wow! It's absolutely amazing, I can't believe I pulled this match out today,