Maria Sharapova

[Nightlife]

[Nightlife]

Today-----------------Past

the similarity is amazing

[Nightlife]

Maria Sharapova Vs Anastasia Pivovarov 1r Wimbledon 2010

part 1

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BT8JY9CO

part 2

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OSSYF63I

second set complete.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PBYQ0RX3

video is mpeg2 dvd,this was split with videoredo

rejoin if you want using the free trial.you can also make a dvd with the tvsuite

http://www.videoredo.com/en/index.htm

[Nightlife]

avatars

banners

[Nightlife]

WIMBLEDON 1ST ROUND INTERVIEW

Q. Couldn't have been much easier, could it?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, it always could (laughter).

Uhm, yeah, it was the first time I played against her. The draw changed a little bit. I was expecting to play someone else. Kind of last minute was playing against her.

But I never played either. So I think the goal today was, you know, to come out and just try to figure things out pretty quickly. And, uhm, I did a good job of that.

Q. Physically, are you almost a hundred percent fit?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, yeah. I feel good. My body feels good. You know, I'm in much better match condition than I was last year. Feel good physically, yeah.

Q. When you wake up in the morning, does the shoulder still hurt to kind of start the day?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, not when I wake up in the morning, no.

Q. When then?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: If it's like really, really cold, like almost snowing (laughter).

Uhm, I think it's not that it hurts; it's just that it's hard to explain. Like before when I was younger, a few years ago, if I wouldn't play for a few days, I would come out, the third, fourth serve I could hit pretty much as hard as I can. Now it's like 10, 15, 20 serves by the time it warms up. It's just those little things, yeah.

Q. Have you gotten to talk to Sasha much about his championship and did you get to watch any of the parade online or anything?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. But I got a lot of pictures from it. It seemed really crazy. Yeah, I'm very happy for him and the team.

Q. Kobe is such an incredible athlete, the way at crunch time he gets the ball, works with his teammates. Do you see any of that in tennis? Do you see any of that in Federer? Do you learn from that?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I think it's the determination to win, that spirit that no matter what the score is, uhm, no matter what situation it is. It's a little bit different in a team sport because sometimes you might not be having your best day. The great thing is you have people surrounding you that can lift you up and really help you.

In tennis, it's a little bit different where, you know, you have no one but yourself. I mean, I much prefer it that way, because if I had a great game, the other people just, you know, had an off day, I'd be pretty furious at them, so... (Laughter) that's why I play an individual sport.

But I have a tremendous amount of respect, I mean, for athletes in general because you can really relate to that determination.

Q. This may be pushing it, but the Lakers did such a great job of coming back from seeming to be out of it from Boston. Are you particularly proud of the way you've been fighting to come back?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I can't compare that to the Lakers (laughter).

Q. I do. I think it's a real determination that you have.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Thanks.

Q. I wanted your thoughts on that.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, when you step out on a court, whether it's today, whether it's a year from now, whatever has happened before, whatever you felt, whatever the results you had, no matter if you won or lost, no matter if it was a great match or a bad match, you're out there to play another one, you're out there to do something different.

You have to forget everything that happened in the past, no matter if you won this tournament, if you lost a few times, if you had bad results, unlucky times. Everything, when you go out on the line, it all starts from scratch.

That's the way I see things. You go out there just to try to win one match, whatever's ahead of you on that particular day.

Q. Do you feel like anything is missing from your game now, or do you feel like you're at the point where you can really contend?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I think there are things, whether it's a few percent here and there, I think at this stage, you know, in my career, I think a few percentages here and there can really help me. I don't think anyone's gonna make, you know, 50 backhands in a row or 50 forehands in a row. Everyone's going to make mistakes.

But it's about your game plan and how you execute, just going out there. If you win or lose the match, I mean, for me, if I leave the court and know that I did what I had to do, I played the way I wanted to play, if it was a bad day, I happened to lose the match, you know, that's the way it goes.

But I have to go in there doing what I do.

Q. But are your very good days at the point where you feel like, Yeah, if I play my best now, I really can beat anyone again?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Absolutely.

Q. Are you confident in your serve now? How much more so than, say, a year ago?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, well a year ago, uhm, it's tough to compare because this was only my third or fourth tournament back. I was just trying to get my feet on the ground and see where I was with my game and with my shoulder, whether it could keep up with the amount of matches that I would be playing and the conditions and everything.

You know, a whole year does a tremendous amount of things. Obviously, you know, last year I had to start with a shorter motion just to help my arm because I really wanted to go out there and start playing. And my shoulder felt good, but I had to change things around to get comfortable, uhm, with getting my speed back and the consistency in my serve, yeah.

Q. What motion? Is it still the shorter motion? Have you gone back to the old motion?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, it's not the shorter one.

Q. Maria?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Hi, Nick.

Q. Why aren't you in the Florida sun right now?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Because of you.

Q. A couple things coaches can't teach. You refuse to lose and you don't complain.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Sometimes.

Q. I also would like to compliment your coach about the great job he does with you.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Thank you.

Q. It's just fantastic. The tour needs you. I'm delighted for how you're playing again.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Thanks, Nick. Can I put you in this bag and carry you to every press conference?

Q. How has your perspective on tennis and maybe beyond tennis changed through what you've gone through since your injury?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Just personally?

Q. Yes.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Perspective on the game?

Q. Perspective on your own role in tennis, on your enjoyment of tennis, and what it takes to play it.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, my joy in the game is pretty up there with what it was before I got injured. Maybe even more so because it was taken away from me for such a long period of time that it made me realize how blessed you are when you're actually on the court, you know, are able to hit a tennis ball for an hour a day, and be good at what you do.

It's a really good feeling when you go to your job and you know that you're pretty darn good at what you do and that you can be better, that you can be holding trophies. It makes you want to work harder.

I mean, at the end of the day, I know that there's always going to be, you know, younger girls coming up with different types of games, and you have to be ready for that. You've seen that in the last year, there are many different types of players, some younger girls that broke through that did good. It's a little bit different than it was a few years ago. You have to be ready from the first round on to play against really tough opponents.

Q. To what degree do you consider the possibility of not being able to come back the way you have?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: What?

Q. To what degree do you consider the possibility of not being able to come back the way you have?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, there are many possibilities in life. But you never know. You never know until things happen. I mean, I believed that I would be back.

Did I really know? I assumed and I had a lot of belief in myself and I had a tremendous amount of support from the people around me.

But you never really know till it happens.

Q. Are you surprised there aren't more teens breaking through like you did here a few years ago?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I'm not sure. I really don't know. I don't know how many teens there are playing here in the draw. I don't really know their results. I mean, I can only speak for myself. Obviously, I was fortunate to get the opportunity to win the title at a young age. But that didn't just happen out of nowhere.

I came here, uhm, I believe already top 16 seed when I won The Championships.

I didn't have the greatest results. I didn't achieve anything huge. But I was progressively feeling like I was beating, you know, players that maybe should have beat me, but I beat them and I got that experience from those matches. Even losing matches, I feel like I gained a tremendous amount of experience, and that really helped me to win.

Q. Why do you think we aren't seeing more teens that are able to do that these days?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't think that's necessarily true. I mean, you're saying to win a Grand Slam? I mean, I don't think it's as easy as it sounds. It's not just the crook of your hand it's going to happen, the snap of your fingers, bam, you're going to win a Grand Slam. But there are some teens that are breaking through and getting far in tournaments and really pushing everyone.

[Nightlife]

She’s Got the Look

By Nick Bollettieri

After two years struggling with injuries, Nick Bollettieri sees that old, fierce look in Maria Sharapova’s eye. Bollettieri analyzes her first-round rout of Anastasia Pivovarova and looks at her chances for the rest of the tournament.

I’ve known Maria Sharapova since she was 7 years old and I know when she’s mentally prepared. When I saw her at the post-match press conference after her rout of Anastasia Pivovarova in the first round, she had an intense look. She was graceful as always, but she also had a workman-like attitude that, though she’s just 23, reminded me of Andre Agassi late in his career. With confidence in her corner, I think Maria’s mental strength could carry her late into the second week. The on-court presence and off-court focus I’ve seen from her lately brings back memories from her early years in Florida.

When she arrived at IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., many years ago, Maria had a hunger to succeed like few I’d seen before. When I say few, I’m referring to players like Boris Becker, Jim Courier and Monica Seles. That desire to be the best got her to the Wimbledon winner’s stand as a 17-year-old in 2004. As a coach, seeing her fall to the ground with excitement was so gratifying. Her hard work and sacrifice had finally paid off.

Maria went on to win two more majors and reach the pinnacle of the sport, but her injuries and erratic play in the past couple of years crushed her confidence. Knowing Maria, though, I was sure those years of disappointing play wouldn’t last. Now in 2010, and especially in her opening round here at Wimbledon, I’ve noticed certain improvements in Maria’s game that should put her back where she belongs—on top of the women’s tour.

The Serve Doctor

When Maria first came on tour, her 6-foot-2 frame and fluid service motion made it almost impossible for opponents to break her. She could hit every spot in the service box with varying speeds and also had a great kick serve that completed her arsenal. With shoulder injures creeping up in the last couple of years, her serve has weakened and even disappeared at times. The scary part for the rest of the WTA tour is that the 2010 edition of Maria comes with an improved delivery. Her serve was excellent against Pivovarova—she won 94 percent of her first serve points.

Offense, Offense, Offense

Maria plays her best tennis when she has an offensive mind-set from the baseline. Punishing second-serve returns, pouncing on short balls, and looking to approach the net are all key parts of her game that I noticed when watching her in the first round. If she can continue to hug the baseline and put pressure on her opponents from the first ball, she’ll be able to shorten points and play at a pace that’s comfortable for her. When she faces tougher competition late in the tournament, though, she’ll need to control her aggressiveness and pick her targets to keep her unforced errors to a minimum.

Looking Ahead

As I tell all my students, I told Maria to take it one match a time. I can see her confidence growing day by day, but she must focus on the here and now in order to make a great run. A round of 16 meeting with Serena Williams will be a huge test for Maria, but I think her grass-court game will cause all kinds of trouble for the No. 1 seed. As one of Wimbledon’s own, the crowd loves watching Maria play and would love to see her make it late into the second week. I can tell you this much—I don’t think Maria plans on leaving Centre Court anytime soon.

Nick Bollettieri of the IMG/Bollettieri Tennis Academy has trained many collegiate and professional players, including 10 who reached the world No. 1 ranking.

[Qball]

She needs to get back to the top, and by that I mean at least the WTA's first ten. I'm sure she will do it

[emmm]

thanks nightlife for the banners and avatars, im going to use them

and maria listened to you, she got her first serve up to 71% today

[emmm]

Maria Sharapova defeated Ioana Olaru in the second round June 24, 2010 6-1 6-4

She plays Barbora Zahlavova Strycova next

[Nightlife]

thanks nightlife for the banners and avatars, im going to use them

and maria listened to you, she got her first serve up to 71% today

haha yes she did Altho was a bit upset with the way it dipped in the second set, hopfully she can sustain it for the entire match next time

Your more then welcome to you it

[Nightlife]

2nd round pics

[Nightlife]

maria's post match interview from today.

http://rapidshare.com/files/402342316/mari...iew_r2.mpg.html

[Nightlife]

2nd round Avis

[Nightlife]

WIMBLEDON 2nd ROUND INTERVIEW

Q. You seemed quite aggressive from the start today. Was that part of the game plan?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, it was. Then I kind of backed up, let her back in the match literally. You know, I did a really good job of that from the beginning. Definitely, you know, when I do that, I feel really good about my game. I just kind of stopped in the middle of the second set and let her back in.

But, fortunately, I was able to get that break back.

Q. I know it isn't exactly the women's case, but how do you feel about those guys playing more than 200 games maybe? You think it should be decided by a tiebreaker?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I'd be checking myself into the local hospital at that point (smiling). It's pretty incredible what they've done. I think at this point maybe the rules will be changed at a certain point you're going to have to play a tiebreaker.

It's an amazing effort at that point in the match to come out and to be able to hit such powerful strokes and serves and just keep doing it over and over. But over a certain period of time, I think it takes a toll on your body mentally and physically.

I mean, probably the rule will change, but you never know.

Q. If you ended up playing to 20 all...

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Which would never happen, probably (laughter).

Q. If you had a different shoulder and the match went on that long, would you want a tiebreaker or do you think you're just going to play forever, this is how it goes?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I've personally never been in that position, so it's tough for me to say.

But I think after playing for nine hours, you'd want to settle it with a tiebreaker.

Q. Even when you were growing up and practicing, what kind of would be the longest you played tennis continuously, comparing it to the two guys on court?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Oh, they've played way beyond whatever I've practiced or combined three or four days that I'm still not at nine hours (laughter).

I mean, it's heroic. What can you say? It's pretty incredible. To still have to go out there and know that the match is not finished, it could still go on for another 20, 40 games. I don't know.

Q. Are you completely fit now in your own mind? Are you absolutely sure you're fit? How much has it taken for you to get back to that position?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think it's pretty tough to always say you're fit and you feel great. I mean, we're professional athletes. We don't wake up in the morning and say, Everything feels perfect. Maybe when we're very young. But at this point in our careers, when we play tennis on a daily basis, we practice, we go play matches, it's impossible to feel fit. That's the way it goes.

I mean, as far as physically and fitness wise, yeah, I feel really good.

Q. I was thinking more of the surgery you had.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, like I said in my previous interviews, it feels a lot better than I did last year when I was sitting here.

Q. When the ball's bouncing close to the baseline around the brown spots, are you starting to get bad bounces?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Just a few. Just a few. But that's normal. It's to be expected. When we're practicing at Aorangi, the courts are pretty chewed up. We're used to that.

Q. Do you feel the courts are playing fairly fast because of the weather?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: The weather's certainly helping them. When I played on the championship courts a few days ago just as practice before the tournament started, they were playing pretty slow. But it was kind of cloudy, not as warm. So that's helping, for sure.

Q. There was a point in the second game of the second set where your opponent went to the replay. It showed that your shot landed a good foot inside the baseline. She seemed to clearly think that either the technology was malfunctioned or had shown the wrong replay. What was your view of that?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I was pretty positive that that ball was in. I challenged it right away before I even hit it. I knew it was going in. The lines judge called it out after she hit the ball. So I'm not even sure if she was clear on her thoughts because my opponent had already hit the ball and then had her long, then she called it.

But I knew that my ball was in.

Q. Do you generally trust the system a hundred percent?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. That's why it's in place.

Q. Given the severity of your injury, the difficulty of the comeback from that type of injury, how much do you think about a possible future without tennis? What options did you think about for the future?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, I mean, I've set up myself pretty well for things that I can do after my tennis career. But that never really crossed my mind 'cause I was always gearing up to get back. You know, I've been fortunate to do, uhm, and to work with different people in different industries that have really made my life interesting and fun and creative. Fashion and things like that.

Uhm, I would certainly explore that after my career.

Q. How special does it feel to reach the third round, given what's happened to you over the last couple of years here?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I knew that coming into this match that last year, uhm, I was on the plane the next day after I lost. So, uhm, I really thought about it, especially towards the end of the match. I was really excited to get through.

Q. Perhaps you didn't have a chance to see the Queen because you were playing, but what do you think of the visit?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think it's wonderful and so great for our sport that she was able to, you know, take some time from her really busy schedule and come out and just be a part of Wimbledon, the tradition that we feel to be a part of on a yearly basis.

To see her here and support it was great. I didn't get the opportunity to meet her. Had a match to play. But, I mean, I'm sure I'll see highlights of her watching the match and it will be pretty cool to see.

Q. What do you think the importance of that Isner match is to the sport? What effect do you think it will have?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, it's amazing what they've done. I think they've created some crazy news around the world, which is great for the sport. Even for people that don't have any interest in tennis, you know, I think they read about it and see it and think how amazing it is. It's wonderful for our sport.

Q. Putting yourself aside, it hasn't been a great year for Russian women. Can you put your finger on it at all or do you think things tend to be cyclical?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: We've been really fortunate with our results over the years. To have so many girls in the top 10. To not have as many as we're used to, I mean, is maybe a bit of a surprise.

But that's the way it goes. Hopefully that will be changed soon.

I think it's really interesting that she said that she thought a lot about her early exits at the end of the match. She might have felt a little nervous halfway through that second set.

[bulldign]

thanks for posting!!

[emmm]

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

[Nightlife]

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

[Nightlife]

some more 2nd round photos

[emmm]

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..

[legman]

Thx for all the updates!