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
That's why I play tennis, because I want to be number one, not because I want to be number 10, ... If you don't want to be number one in the world, then there is no reason for you even to start.
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.
You're playing a great champion, someone that's obviously achieved a lot in her career. And she's still young. Any opponent that I see across the net, I cannot think about whether they're terrible or they're great. I can't put that in my mind.
You never know what to expect in the first round. I did enough to win and I'm pretty satisfied.
You practice hard and work on a lot of things, but the actual competition is totally different. I was just trying to get in a groove.
You don't want to pull out because it's a Grand Slam, but it's hard when people expect you to win.
There were a lot of ups and downs. There were times when I felt like couldn't make anything.
As a player, I want to know that line calls are as accurate as technology will allow. In that sense, today's announcement is great news for all players.
This is something I've dreamed of all my life, ... It's just an amazing fact to be No. 1 in world. Topping it off, I am the first Russian. I'm so excited that I could achieve it.
A couple of points in the third set made a difference to the end result, ... When I was 1-5 down, I played very relaxed and tied the score but at 5-all, she held her serve after she had a couple of lucky points and it turned her way. I should forget this loss because I had two good weeks in Russia and will take positive things from my game today.
Do you remember what Richard III said about wearing the crown?
Oh God, I don't know what I'm doing here right now, ... I'm so excited to be in the semis, it's an amazing feeling.
I think we got the point that there was a soccer match or something going on.
I think at some point I may be able to dominate, but honesty, I don't think I'm physically there yet and I don't want to go out there and say I am, when I'm really not.