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 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.
I played really sloppy on my serve. She took advantage of that and started hitting winners right and left.
I put extra pressure on her second serve and I was in control on most points,
I played great tennis this week. It was a tremendous effort for me to be able to play two really tough matches yesterday and still play a high level of tennis today. In the first set it was just one or two balls didn't go my way I guess, and then after that I was physically tired from yesterday.
I'm running in Central Park like every single day, getting my movement, still trying to get my arm stronger.
I'm very happy to win the inaugural title,
I'm very pleased. I definitely stepped it up in this match. I knew I had to. It was very important that I did step it up. I took my opportunities, took my chances, and that was important.
I needed to keep on attacking as it is difficult to keep rallying with her.
I'm not the biggest fan. I'd rather watch something else than tennis.
I'll be seeing headlines: Maria can't get past the semis; Maria can't last the third set, I think it was a good match. I didn't come in the best prepared ... without many matches, to be able to play the quality of tennis I was able to play today is a big plus.
I want to play for Russia, I definitely want to play for Russia in Fed Cup competition,
Not many people can say that they're No. 1 in the world, ... If I can have it for an hour, for a week, just the fact that you're No. 1 is an amazing feeling.
I now have two titles (singles and doubles) under my belt and it feels great, ... I think with these things, it is a matter of time. If you put in the hard work - and I have worked so hard - I think this week really showed and it paid off.
He's so talented and just plays so loose. It seems like he's playing without any effort, plays always by instinct.