Wimbledon - R3

3rd Round Interview

Q. Was that a really useful workout or harder than you would have liked?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: She was a really, really tough opponent, especially on grass. Uhm, you know, a lot of the balls she hit just stayed really low. In the beginning I had a little bit of trouble with that and I was making a few more errors than I should have.

But then, you know, I picked myself up, which is good. But it was good to have that, kind of be down a break, have to fight back. She served very well, as well. So it was a good match.

Q. Do you think facing Serena Williams has come too early for you in the draw?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Absolutely not. I love playing against her. I love playing against, you know ‑‑ she's the defending champion. You know, she's great on this surface. She's won numerous Grand Slams. Uhm, you know, if there's a challenge ahead of you, it's definitely playing against her, and I enjoy that.

Q. Obviously we remember you playing here most of all, you probably remember most of all, beating her in 2004. Can you tell us a bit about how you think back to that?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I think that was our last meeting on grass. It's tough to take anything away from that match as it was many years ago. You know, this will be a new day. I don't really think about, you know, yesterday or the day before. Whoever I play when I go out there, it's a new match. You have to take it as a new day.

Q. You must still have some happy memories of it.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: There are always wonderful memories. But when you step out on the court, it's new. You've got to start from scratch. The score is 0‑0.

Q. How different are you as a person and as a player now to the 17‑year‑old girl then?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I mean, I think at that age when you're just playing a few tournaments, not many people know about you or your game. I've been around the tour for many years now. So I think Serena and I know each other's game pretty well now. Even though we haven't played in a while, I mean, we play the same tournaments. I'm sure we see each other's matches, yeah.

But it's been many years.

Q. Do you have to do anything different against her or is it all going to be on execution?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Execution's a big part. Also just staying aggressive. You know, she's a really big hitter. She is a big server. You've got to really take your chances when you have them.

Even if you don't have many, you got to really, really take advantage of what you get, stick to what you do best, as well.

Q. Some of your matches, getting a quick start seems to have played a big factor. I remember Wimbledon 2004, you came out smoking. Is that going to be a factor, do you think?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, we'll see after the match. I don't know. I mean, I wish I could tell you. But I don't know.

Q. What is your most memorable match against her?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think we've played a few times. But that was definitely, uhm, the one here was definitely memorable because it was the second time I played against her. The first time I was, uhm, kind of blew me off the court in Miami. I was so overwhelmed by her power, you know, how strong she hit the ball. So, you know, to change that a few months later, I was just really proud of myself.

It was great that I played her before. I think that really helped me.

Q. She still hits the ball as hard as she did then. You obviously must feel that you hit it a lot harder now that you can match her for that pace and power.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. I mean, tennis is obviously not just about power. I think on grass it's a big key to the game. But I don't think that's everything in tennis.

Q. You've been coming in to net not a lot, but certainly more than 2004. Do you feel you're comfortable up there? Is it like 50% comfortable?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think it helps my groundies. You know, when I'm looking to be aggressive and looking to come in, I mean, it's just common sense there's going to be something more on the ball than if you hit it and just stay back and wait for your opponent to miss.

So when I'm aggressive and I'm moving in and I'm taking, you know, balls out of the area, you know, I'm not a player that's going to come to the net and start hitting three, four, five volleys in a row. I'm looking to come in and finish the point off there.

Q. How much of the match is going to be a mental battle rather than a physical battle with Serena?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I don't know. I don't know. I mean, uhm, mental, physical... Every match is a little bit of that.

Q. This could go deep into the third set. If it does, does that favor either one of you?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't think it should be discussed because we don't really know if it's going to or not.

Q. Since you came back from your shoulder injury, do you feel you're now all the way back? Do you think you are now the player that you were, or is there still some way to go before you reach the peak you were at?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I think there's still some improvements to be done and things to get better. I mean, to be honest, I look back, and it's tough to compare yourself, uhm, to what you were a few years ago. It's a different time in my career.

Q. Could you talk about a big rivalry match like this and how it compares to a standard or regular match? When you know you're going up against a big rival, do you like it? Do you find yourself more engaged? Does it change your preparation in any way?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, you know, I'd call it a rivalry when I win a few more against her (laughter). I mean, I've lost the last few.

But I absolutely enjoy it. You know, we certainly had a good, you know, rivalry building up. We haven't played for a while, and I was out of the game for a bit. I mean, we never really clashed. You know, that's what I thrive on. I love going on the court and playing someone that's, you know, obviously the favorite to win the match.

Q. I know you reached the semis of Roland Garros last year. But is this the best you've felt form‑wise at a slam?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Last year?

Q. Quarters, sorry.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Quarters.

Q. I know you reached quarters there. But is this the best you felt at a slam form‑wise since the shoulder surgery?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. You know, like I said, I've been really happy in the last few weeks I've been able to play matches and come through some tough ones against good opponents that really challenged me and stay healthy. That's really been the key. That's certainly really important going forward.

You know, it's great to be back in the second week of a slam, yeah.

Q. What is the main difference between playing Serena versus Venus?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, both are really powerful. Both move really well. I don't really know the difference.

Wimbledon - Jun 24 2010

Some of her rival, Ioana Raluca Olaru...

Maria was defeted in the 4th Round by Serena Williams 7-6(9) 6-3

M Sharapova - 28 June 2010

4th Round interview

Q. On a scale of 1 to 10, how will you rate your game today?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I thought I played really well and I thought I had my chances. You know, if it was not for her really great serving, uhm, I certainly had a real good look at winning the match.

Q. So what happened after the first set? What was going through your mind in the second set?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, the match isn't over. You know, I had my chances in the first one. There is no doubt in my mind that the match wasn't over and we still had some sets to play.

You know, I kept going for it. And, uhm, yeah.

Q. Can you talk about facing her serve. She's so tough to break.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, she served extremely well, some of the best she served against me. And, yeah, I think today that was really the difference.

You know, I had a few looks at her serve. But, uhm, you know, I think even when you had a good look and the ball's coming at you in the 120s, it's pretty tough to do much with it.

But, uhm, yeah, I thought it was an all‑right performance.

Q. That's a lot of pressure on your service games.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, it does. And I think ‑‑ I mean, that's certainly how she wins a majority of her matches. By serving so well, it makes you think that you really need to hold on to your service games. You know, I did a good job of that. But, you know, just not enough.

You know, I was going for it when I had my opportunities. Just fell a little short.

Q. You seem to respond well to playing matches on those terms. Is that accurate?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: On which terms?

Q. You both hitting big balls, points are over in two or three strokes. That seems well within your comfort zone.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I mean, when you have someone serving that fast, if you're gonna have long rallies, I don't think that's feasible, yeah.

Q. How would you rate the way you played today both mentally and physically?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, I was right there. I felt really good. You know, I gave her a run for her money. I'm feeling really good. I'm in a much better spot than I was last year. I'm playing a lot better, feeling really great physically.

Uhm, I had my chances at the French. I certainly had them today. This only gives me confidence.

Q. Did you feel the crowd were on your side today?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I felt their support. And, uhm, it was great to be back on Centre Court. Last year's experience wasn't well. I wasn't playing well at all. To be out there and just really playing my game, uhm, yeah, it was fun to be out there.

Q. Would you like to come back?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: That's a silly question. Of course, I would.

Q. Is she the ultimate test, especially on grass here?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, absolutely, because it takes a lot of concentration to break her serve. And sometimes, I mean, even if you kind of, you know, know her pattern or feel like you're getting on top of her serves, even if you have a good look at them, I mean, there's a good chance you're not gonna win the point if she's consistently serving that big.

But, uhm, you know, I still had my opportunities. And absolutely it was a good test and I was right up there.

Q. Were the conditions out there even more consistent to big serving?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: The conditions were great. It makes the ball go faster through the air, makes the court faster.

Q. Tennis players are sometimes dismissed as being self‑centered. You and friends and family members are going to be going to Chernobyl. The disaster there occurred 24 years ago. Are the problems still ongoing?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yes.

Q. Also in our country we're having a major disaster. Can you in any way relate the two disasters?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: You know, it's funny, most importantly it's the fear that's in people's minds and the fear that no one really understands what's going on, and that leads to a poor quality of life for them and for the regions around them.

You know, my goal is really to restore that and to send the message that we're all very aware of the situation, what has happened many years ago, and that people on a daily basis are still affected by it, are getting sick, and are living in those regions.

But I'm very excited about the trip. I was meant to go a couple years ago, and unfortunately I had to fly back to the States to work on my shoulder. But I'm going I think on Wednesday morning. It will be great. I haven't been there in 10 years.

Q. There still are serious problems there.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Oh, yeah. Both of my parents are actually from Belarus. If it was not for Chernobyl, I probably would be born in Belarus. When my mom got pregnant in 1986, that's when it all happened, and that's why we fled to Siberia.

Q. The last three tournaments you played very close to very good players in all matches. Do you feel like you're close to getting over the line? What's it going to take for you to tip the scales in your favor?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, I was very happy that I was put in the situations and I got myself in the situation in order to win the match. I certainly could have done a little bit of better job in executing.

You know, I can sit here and whine about that. But the fact that I gave myself a chance and I went out there and I'm feeling, you know, just really happy to be playing out there the way I want to play and the way that makes me happy playing, uhm, it's a joy to be out there again.

Q. How much of getting back to the position you were in and would like to be in again is now at this point a mental issue as opposed to a physical issue?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: It's about going out there and playing matches like these and obviously executing. That certainly helps. Like I said, if I didn't give myself an opportunity to be in that position, I'd probably feel worse about myself.

So, uhm, it's a step forward, a step in the right direction, you know, yeah.

Q. After playing that well this afternoon, do you feel you can come back and win Wimbledon again?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: There's no doubt.

Q. As a stylish tennis player, you look stylish on and off court. Can you give us some information about your necklace?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Should thank Tiffany for that. They're very generous with their earrings.

My cross? I've had this cross ever since I was a young girl. I've worn it since, I don't know, I was five or six years old.

Q. Do you wear it every time you play?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I wear it every day. Well, not every day of my life but most of the time.

Q. Is it a lucky pendant?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, it's brought a lot of luck in my life. But I don't wear it because it's lucky. I wear it because my parents gave it to me.

Q. If Serena continues to serve at this level, do you think anyone can beat her here?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't think you're gonna see too many breaks. There's always a chance. But if she's consistently serving and hitting those spots with that speed, I think it's pretty tough.

sadly our television only shows the tiebreak of the first set were both have there changes and served very well!!

thanks Nightlife for all the great pictures and information

anyone know why she doesn't have the "p" on her racket strings??

While she was out injured her contact with "Prince" had expired, They felt that with her being out of action and not knowing if she was going to be able to play tennis as well as she use to be or at all they decided against it to sign her up again. Altho after seeing her in the last few tournments im sure she will get another sponser

really? i thought she had a 25 million deal with prince for 10 years...and she's also said that she would stay with prince for her whole tennis career..

I heard that this is a new model of racket she is "testing" for prince? which is not offically produced yet and maybe thats why the P is not on it!?

Tiffany & Co. Photoshoot (x6)

Maria Sharapova visits UNDP youth projects in Belarus

Maria Sharapova visits UNDP youth projects in Belarus - Day 2

Maria and Sasha in Italy

SONY ERICSSON SWEDEN VISIT

also from Yulya

A couple of the posted above in color:

The reason that photo of Maria was hard to find was because it's a outtake as are these