Maria Sharapova
Quotes
"I'm not the next anyone, I'm the first Maria Sharapova"
"I'm just like every other girl who likes to shop, likes to look good, likes to spend time with friends"
"I've been playing against older and stronger competition my whole life. It has made me a better tennis player and able to play against this kind of level despite their strength and experience."
"I learned there's a big difference between juniors and the pros"
"A great tennis career is something that a 15-year-old normally doesn't have. I hope my example helps other teens believe they can accomplish things they never thought possible."
"Sometimes I feel my arm is like a swan's neck - so weak."
"I don't follow other players or the tournaments they play. I have my own schedule and do my own thing. I never really think, 'Oh, I want to be or play like so-and-so.' I just like being myself"
"The first few games were a little bit tough getting used to the conditions, … I haven't played a lot of matches. Then after a while you can really go after it. I feel a lot stronger in my arm. I move quite well. I don't think I have moved that well in quite a while."
"He's so talented and just plays so loose. It seems like he's playing without any effort, plays always by instinct."
"I think I learn a lot from losses and they make me a lot tougher,"
"When you come off the court and you feel like you were losing the whole match, and all of a sudden you pulled it out, you know, it's those moments that you feel you've trained for and you work hard for. Just lucky to get through."
"The first match is never easy. You don't know what to expect,"
"It was a lot tougher than it seemed. I needed to find a way to win every single point. You know, it's all right. Still got through it without serving great."
"I definitely feel Russian inside, even when I'm in America I feel Russian,"
"I want to play for Russia, I definitely want to play for Russia in Fed Cup competition,"
"I also want to play in the Olympics and would love to represent Russia there as well."
"I'm 17 years old and there are many great things ahead. If I don't win the U.S. Open this year, it's not going to be a disaster in my life."
"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."
"A great tennis career is something that a 15-year-old normally doesn't have. I hope my example helps other teens believe they can accomplish things they never thought possible."
"I learned there's a big difference between juniors and the pros."
Trivia
- Has appeared on the cover of SI (first tennis player in over two years to do so) ESPN The Magazine, Forbes (listed as one of the richest female athletes in the world), Teen Vogue; also featured in People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People", Vogue Italia, USA Today, Teen People's "20 Teens Who Will Change the World", W, YM and SPORT Magazine's "21 Athletes to Watch Out For in the 21st Century", among others.
- Has appeared on NBC's Today and Tonight Show, Entertainment Tonight, Live with Regis and Kelly, Inside Edition, ESPN's Sportscenter and Cold Pizza, Fox and Friends, CBS' Early Show and Craig Kilborn, MTV's TRL, Access Hollywood and the Tour's Magazine Show, among others.- Awards include Tour Player of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year in 2004, also Whirlpool's 6th Sense Player of the Year in November 2006.
- Signed her own fragrance deal with Parlux Fragrances in September 2004. Her own fragrance "Maria Sharapova" was launched September, 1 2005 .
- Along with $1 million in prize money, was presented with a Porsche Cayenne S for winning the 2004 season-ending Tour Championships and donated the value (approx. US$56,300) to those affected by Russian school hostage crisis in Beslan.
- In February 2007, Maria was named a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador and made a $100,000 cash donation to help with Chernobyl recovery projects.
- Considers herself a "Renaissance Woman" for her many interests off the court, which include, reading literature, visiting museums, painting, collecting stamps, studying fashion, and learning new languages
- Maria is a natural lefty. At age 10 she played lefty for 6 months but then switched back to right. She sometimes hits left-handed forehands in matches.
- Coached by her father Yuri Sharapov and Robert Lansdorp
- Mother's name is Yelena
- Started hitting tennis balls at age four; at six, participated in exhibition in Moscow that featured Martina Navratilova
- Began training at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida, USA, at age nine (which required a two-year separation from mother due to visa restrictions and finances)
- Off-court interests include fashion, singing, dancing and movies (favorites are Mona Lisa Smile, Something's Gotta Give and Love Actually)
- In second year of high school and studies via an Internet school.
- Enjoys reading books in the Sherlock Holmes and Pippi Longstocking series.
- Prefers Russian and Thai cuisine
- Favorite dessert is French crepes with Nutella.
- Favorite drinks are orangina and virgin strawberry daiquiris
- Signed with IMG Models in November 2003
- Previously was educated by her mother before learned via Internet at Keystone National High School.
- Her last name, Sharapova, is the feminine version of her father's name, Sharapov.
- In order to develop her skills, her parents sent her to U.S. instead of Russia even though the Russian government had provided ample funding to support its tennis development program.
- Was signed up by Prince, Oakley and Nike at the age of 9.
- Wears Nike and uses a Prince racquet in the court.
- Her name appeared in Teen People's list of 20 Teens Who Will Change the World in 2002.
- Was labeled one of The Coolest Girls in America by YM magazine and 'On the Move' by People Magazine.
- Was mentioned as one of 21 Athletes to Watch For in the 21st Century according to SPORT Magazine.
- Was featured in W magazine and USA Today in 2003.
- Became the first tennis player in more than two years to be the cover of Sport Illustrated in a special double-issue on newsstands for two weeks.
- Appeared in Vogue Italia by August 2004.
- Was among the 50 Most Beautiful Celebrities in the World according to People Magazine's list by April 2005.
- Was listed by Forbes magazine as The Highest-Paid Female Athlete in the World in June 2005, with annual earnings of 18 million dollar U.S.
- Was nominated for the 2005 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Awards.
- Is often compared to Anna Kounikova , yet she rejects the comparison.
- Was about to face Anna Kounikova in the semi-final of Sea Island Tournament in May 2003 when Kournikova finally pulled out before the match.
- Entered the WTA world rankings at number 532 in 2002 and finished at number 186 by the end of the same year.
- Was defeated by Justine Henin-Hardenne in the final of Siemens Women Tennis Trophy after holding eight match points!
- Became the first Russian tennis player ever to win Grand Slam Wimbledon .
- Her rank instantly leapt from #15 to #8 after winning Wimbledon in 2004.
- When competed at Wimbledon Center Court on June 21, 2005, her loudest grunt reached 101.2 decibels, which is above the sound of a motorcycle or a lawnmower.
- Wasn't included in Russian team at the Fed Cup as Anastasia Myskina threatened to have a boycott if she joined the team.
Her father, Youri Sharapov, had been criticized particularly by Myskina of his disruptive courtside behavior and his shouting of rude things against Maria's compatriots on the WTA Tour.
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