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'm going to be busy these next several weeks rehabbing, training and getting healthy so that I can play my very best for myself, the fans, tournaments and sponsors in 2006. I tried my best to fight through my injuries during the season, but I now realize that I need to take some time off to rest my body and get back to being 100 percent healthy. I look forward to regaining my form and playing at the same highly competitive level that I have in the past. This has been such a disappointing year for me because I'm such a competitive person and I like to win for myself and for my fans.
If I loved a guy as much as I love my dog, the guy would be in serious trouble. Because I'm all over that dog, all the time.
It's the first time for me to throw beans at the media. It's kind of revenge.
It was tough. I couldn't put two points together. I was tired from my previous match, and now I need some time off.
But coming here for the first time in years it made me feel even more so.
I haven't played a lot of matches, so I'm just trying to get used to the conditions, the stadium, the wind, playing under the lights for the first time in a while. When you're out for a little while, first match you're a little tentative. The injury, you don't know how it's going to be. So far it's OK.
I played two players of completely different styles today and that took some time adjusting.
Im just like every other girl who likes to shop, likes to look good, likes to spend time with friends
The injury gave me some good time to work on my strength and physical form, ... I'm still doing physical therapy and strengthening, and it feels good.
Wow! It's absolutely amazing, I can't believe I pulled this match out today,
When I do that, it means I'm not going to miss the ball.
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.
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.
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.