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 enjoy it. Like I said in my previous press conferences, I think in the morning I was doing the 'Today' show, all being glamorous. Then I'm back on the court after three hours, and I'm working hard. This is where I feel I really belong.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous before the match, ... I knew she was a strong player. I wasn't myself on the court today.
She was picking the ball up very early. She used my pace as well as the quickness of the court to her advantage. She made some great shots even on the defensive side.
She was picking the ball up early. She used my pace and the quickness of the court to her advantage and came up with some very good shots.
It comes on unexpectedly from day to day and I can't control it, ... I'm not a player who goes on court without intending to finish a match. It's bad enough to have to withdraw before you play, but to retire during a match is even more disappointing.
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.
I felt really good. It feels good to get back into action. It's good to be back on the court competing. That's where I belong.
There are days when I go out on the court and I feel like I can't miss a ball.
Music is a part of my life all the time - on the plane, before matches, driving out to the court.
I knew she was a strong player and played well in Beijing but I must admit I just wasn't myself on the court today,
The score doesn't say much about the match,
I've said this like 30 times. I feel like I'm saying it again. The physical part of my game is very important right now. It's what I'm working on. That's what's been improving. I mean, if you look at me a year ago, I don't think I was at this point physically. It didn't take five days, it didn't take a month. It took a whole year to progress and get better.
It would be amazing if I could win here as it's the toughest Grand Slam to win, just because of the traffic.
It was up and down. I felt a little awkward in some situations because I haven't been match tough lately. I'm absolutely exhausted.