January 16, 2007

Sharapova Wanted Roof Closed

From The Herald Sun: Outrage at heat policy

MARIA Sharapova had a mental meltdown yesterday in scorching conditions she later branded inhumane.

On a day when all outside matches were cancelled as the temperature soared, the Australian Open's No. 1 seed was forced to endure searing sun for almost three hours against Frenchwoman Camille Pin.

"It's unhumanly possible to play three hours in that kind of heat. I don't think our bodies were made to do that," Sharapova said.

"I was so delusional. Technically, you're not really thinking. When it's that hot outside, your mind doesn't work properly." ...

Continue reading "Sharapova Wanted Roof Closed" »

Sharapova Survives...Barely

From The Sydney Morning Herald: Sharapova fights back from the brink

Top seed Maria Sharapova has narrowly averted a shock first round defeat to little known Frenchwoman Camille Pin at the Australian Open.

In a marathon match played in soaring temperatures at Melbourne Park, the Russian beauty overcame heat exhaustion to win 6-3, 4-6, 9-7 in two hours and 51 minutes...

Continue reading "Sharapova Survives...Barely" »

December 18, 2006

Sharapova Wins Best Celebrity Smile Award

Oh, the awards people come up with.  I'm sure Maria Sharapova will be proud to put this one on her mantel when she retires. 

Not a bad publicity ploy by the dentists though.

From Kommersant: Sharapova's smile called world's best

Tennis star Maria Sharapova won the best celebrity smile survey conducted by American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) to find out who of the Hollywood stars and athletes had the star-worthy smiles.

The 42 percent of respondents said tennis star Maria Sharapova had the best female athlete smile.

November 30, 2006

Maria Sharapova's Costa Rica Vacation

Just noticed on WTAWorld someone post a recent diary entry from Maria Sharapova's official site.  She actually sounds like a normal 19-year-old. 

Why is it that so few of the players' personalities manage to come through with reporters, but put them directly in touch with fans and they suddenly becoming different people?

From mariasharapova.com: My trip to Costa Rica (vacation pictures too if you go to the site)

I just got back from Costa Rica, and it was amazing! There are not too many times in a year when I can wake up and have no sense of time. And not too many times you hear growling monkeys in the middle of the night. As my friend said, it's either the sound of monkeys or dying birds. Our villa was in, what seemed like, a jungle so I am going to assume it is monkeys. The resort was absolutely beautiful, and we had perfect weather for tanning. I can finally say that I finished filming the sequel to 'ghost'! I don't think I have ever looked so pale, as I did after Madrid...

November 10, 2006

Maria Sharapova and the Madrid Models Videoclip

I still think model ball boys or girls are a terrible idea - but I can't say it's not entertaining.

Here's a Eurosport videoclip of the model ballboys and Maria Sharapova giving her thoughts on them.

November 08, 2006

Sharpova Getting Attention in Madrid

All of the sudden, many journalists and quite a few players seem to have decided that Maria Sharapova is ready to be the dominant player in women's tennis. We'll see.

From The Telegraph: Sharapova the No. 1 attraction

Dress and enormous high heels on, Maria Sharapova sauntered through the lobby of a Madrid hotel yesterday and the sight of her was enough for all the other guests just to turn and stare. At 6ft 2in barefoot, the Siberian was probably another half a foot taller wearing those heels – and you did fear for some of the hotel's low-hanging chandeliers.

Continue reading "Sharpova Getting Attention in Madrid" »

November 07, 2006

Sharapova to Play Fed Cup for Russia

She'll play against Spain in April.  One less thing for the Maria-haters to complain about now.

Details from Reuters

September 21, 2006

The US-Federer Problem: 'Who Cares 'Bout Them Silly Furriners'?

Federerwoodstrophy Frank Deford has a good piece about Federer, Tiger Woods and American myopia when it comes to foreign athletes (and non-intranational team sports) in Sports Illustrated. Read 'American Underdogs'

ETA: And while you're over there, be sure to check out Jon Wertheim's first post-US Open mailbag, which talks bananas, fingers and Sharapova, as well as the (legit?) return of Andy Roddick, and more; and Richard Deitsch on the incestuous bonds between the tennis media and the players (ie. Mary Jo Fernandez and her IMG agent husband; the McEnroe brothers in Sharapova's 'I Feel Pretty' Ad). Scroll down to read "The Bottom One."

September 10, 2006

Sharapova Wins it All; So Does Martina

Sharapova_wins_usopen Well, Shark-apova did it. As much as I prefer Justine's game and am irritated by the shriekiness, I've got to hand it to Maria for coming out, guns blazing. Sure she's a cash whore, but the girl's got a champion's heart and drive. Kudos!

But have you guys read/seen Maria's post-match press conference? I saw it on The Tennis Channel, but the transcript is up. Lots of banana and on-court coaching talk--apparently her hitting partner/coach Michael Joyce held up four fingers. Sharapova, clearly irritated, dodged the question several times. I didn't see the majority of the match, so I missed it. Did anyone catch this? And was it clear on-court coaching?

ETA: Pete Bodo has a great column on Sharapova's win over at tennis.com.

Martina Navratilova also went out on top, winning the Mixed Doubles title thanks to some clutch serving by Bob Bryan and her own deft touch. And so ends the career of possibly the greatest tennis player of all time. Bravo, Martina!

I miss Misha Youzhny. But am pleased for Federer-Roddick. Fed has looked a little shaky and Roddick has looked crisper and more obnoxious than ever...but may the best Swiss win. Can't wait til tomorrow!

August 29, 2006

Maria Sharapova's "I Feel Pretty" Ad

It's actually pretty damn good. Shocking! A Sharapova ad that's watchable! ;-)

August 15, 2006

Players' Thoughts on On-Court Coaching

Sharapova_1 The reactions to on-court coaching in this article sort of sum up the going books on these stars' personalities:

Maria Sharapova: "It will be funny when you see an opponent calling for a coach because you’ll just want to laugh, they’ll be in trouble. ... I usually play on instinct and don’t like to be told what to do, so calling for someone will be very rare.”

Elena Dementieva: “I think it will be interesting to see the coaches come down and see what they say, but I don’t think I will have my mother come. I’m already with her 24/7 and it’s the only time I get a break from her.” That's my girl, Lena!

Serena Williams: “I don’t like it. I think it takes away from tennis. When I’m out there, I’ve done all the hard work. It takes away from the integrity of the sport."

Kim Clijsters: “I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this but it’s a rule I’m absolutely against. Part of being a tennis player is being able to solve things yourself.” Of course you can say it, Kim!

Read 'WTA experiment stirs controversy'

August 12, 2006

Sharapova, Pierce Out of Montreal

What a nightmare for the organizers. Here's the current full list of withdrawals and Sharapova's statement.

August 10, 2006

JPMorgan Chase Video Interviews

FYI, Tennis.com has an archive of these. Here's the link. Lindsay, Serena, and Sharapova so far.

August 04, 2006

Sharapova: Show Me the Money, and then Show Me Some More

Sharapova_cash As if the proliferation of Sharapova ads and endorsements didn't already make it clear that Sharapova Hearts Cash.

She would happily trade all of her millions for another three grand slam titles, but not just because of the tennis glory.

"Of course, because another three slam titles will bring a lot more than $25 million," she said. "They would be worth even more [than $100 million]."

Lol, that's one way to look at it. Read 'Sharapova hungry for money as well as success'

August 03, 2006

Sharapova Loses Documentary Lawsuit

Maria Sharapova's lost her lawsuit against the producers of two unofficial documentaries, "Anna's Army" and "Russian Women's Tennis." Here are the details.

July 28, 2006

Sharapova & Roddick: BFF or FWB?

Sharapova_watches_roddickSharapova was spotted taking in Andy Roddick's match v. Scott Oudesma (Andy won in 3 and hurt his back in the process) in LA on wed.

Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova have oft denied that they are seeing each other on the DL and insist that they are "just friends." Of course, "just friends" can watch each other's matches, but it does sort of make one go hmmm...

*AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

July 06, 2006

Justine v. Amelie: We're Getting a Rematch!

Mauresmo_Amelie_photo Like momofan, I'm bouncing off the walls re: Mauresmo finally making it through the semis. And how thrilling to have an Australian Open rematch (maybe the first of 2?) after all of the controversy with Justine's retirement. With two such complete players in the final, it should be a spectacular match. That is assuming, of course, that Mauresmo and Henin-Hardenne can both keep their stomachs together.

Sharapova_loses photo Mauresmo d. Sharapova 6-3 3-6 6-2
Amelie dominated Maria, and could have taken her out 6-1 in the second (she had Sharapova 0-40 to go up 2 breaks and choked on the breakpoints) if she had held her nerve. Of course, she didn't--but no matter. She came out steely after a bathroom break to go up 4-0 in the 3rd. Just gorgeous tennis for the most part from Amelie.

Here are a match report / Sharapova's interview / Mauresmo's interview.

Henin-Hardenne d. Clijsters 6-4 7-6(4)
Did anyone doubt this outcome? Didn't think so.

Here are a match report / Clijster's interview / Henin-Hardenne's interview.

ETA: Here's the NY Times on Amelie-Justine.

Wimbledon: Women's Semis

Maria Sharapova and Ball Photo Mauresmo(1) v. Sharapova(4)
It'll be interesting to see how Amelie's agility, variety and old school net play match up with Sharapova's Power Shots. It'll be even more interesting to see how Mauresmo's nerves contend with Sharapova's Iron Will. I think it'll either be really close, or a steamroll by Maria.

Justine_henin_hardenne_photo Clijsters(2) v. Henin-Hardenne(3)
I really just can't see Clijsters pulling this one out after her dismal display at Roland Garros. Even if Kim does come out to play, I'd still say Justine, easily. Granted, I'd pick Justine if she and Kim met in a back alley knife fight, too.  Hell, I'd pick Justine in a back alley knife fight against most people. Yeah, she's hard to like, but the girl is tough.

Here's the BBC on the match ups and a couple of articles below.

July 05, 2006

Video: Sharapova and Dementieva on Grunting

Elena Dementieva thinks Maria Sharapova's grunting is "too much," and Sharapova's not fazed. Lol, she was pretty impassive with her response: "I wouldn't change a thing." Watch the video.

July 03, 2006

Round of 16 at Wimbledon in Review: The Women

Li Na Photo Biggest story of the day: 27th seed Li Na of China upset big-hitting 10th seed Nicole Vaidisova (News/Posts) to become the first Chinese singles player ever--male or female-to make the quarterfinals of a major. She faces #2 seed Kim Clijsters tomorrow, and I say she's got a shot. Here are a match summary / Vaidisova's interview / Li's interview.

Upset of the Day: Today's biggest upset actually comes from doubles--the world number 1 team Lisa Raymond and Sam Stosur were dismissed 6-4 6-4 by 8-time Grand Slam champions Virginia Ruano-Pascual and Paola Suarez.

Closest Shave: Italian Flavia Pennetta lost to Maria Sharapova (News/Posts) in 3 sets. Pennetta (aka Carlos Moya's girlfriend) was playing a thoughtful, full-range game, and maybe should have won it; but as usual Maria simply refused to lose. Here are a match summary / Pennetta's interview / Sharapova's interview.

WTF QF-alist: French qualifier Severine Bremond continues her golden run with a win over Hingis-slayer and 18th seed Ai Sugiyama. Here's a match summary.

Mauresmo (News/Posts) over Ivanovic (News/Posts) and Myskina (News/Posts) over Venus-slayer Jelena Jankovic. Henin-Hardenne (News/Posts), Dementieva (News/Posts) and Clijsters (News/Posts) are also through.

June 30, 2006

Video: Sharapova Shopping w/ Mom

Maria Sharapova talks about fashion while shopping with her usually spotlight-shy mom, for some documentary called 'Blond Ambition.'

June 25, 2006

Video: Federer and Sharapova's ESPN Sportscenter Ads

Here's Federer's second ESPN Sportscenter ad. The first one was pretty funny, but this one's mainly notable for how bad of an actor TMF is. ;-)

Here's the matching Sharapova ESPN Sportscenter ad and the first Sharapova one.

Nice Sharapova Profile & Audio Interview

Sharapova Photo Profile's from The Scotsman, so the obligatory Andy Murray paragraph has been thrown in. ;-)

Choice quote: "I know that I am young, but I still think that there's so many things that will make me better. But it's not going to come when I'm 19 or 20, I think that's going to come in a few years. People have to realise that - I do." Read 'Sharapova: Not a Diva?'

Also: Great audio interview about Wimbledon from the BBC

Good to see she has a good tennis head on her shoulders. But what happened to all the tennis enfants terribles? I think all this thoughtfulness and humility is Fedal's fault. Only Djokovic seems to have escaped it. :-)

Wimbledon: Wear Whites or Talk to the Hand

Nadal in Wimbledon Whites PhotoWimbledon's getting very serious about its dress code: violators will be defaulted. Ouch.

Choice quote:

Andrew Jarrett, the tournament’s new referee, said last week: “There have been various outfits over the years that have caused everything from huge enjoyment to huge outrage, depending on your viewpoint. A lot of people wondered what the reaction would be to Nadal’s pirate shorts last year. We were very relaxed about it. He turned up in a beautiful white pair and they are now part of his persona.

“We have accepted the bare midriff because when virtually every player serves I defy any of them not to show their midriff when they are stretching up."

I defy anyone to deem piratas "beautful," white or otherwise. Read the 'Wimbledon whites' article

ps. Adidas is German? Where have I been.

June 23, 2006

Wimbledon Draws are Out!: The Women

Venus Wins Photo Here's the women's draw. Venus landed at the bottom of Mauresmo's quarter of the draw and so did 14th seed Dinara Safina. Other trouble spots: a newly brunette Tatiana Golovin and Ana Ivanovic who's already beaten Amelie this year. Michaela Krajicek, who's still having a great week in Nottingham, is a potential 2nd round match up for Mauresmo.

Sharapova's section looks pretty straightforward until Dementieva in the quarters, though Schiavone, Sania Mirza, and Danilidou, who made the semis at the Ordina Open, could add some spice.

Hingis, Hantuchova, Jamea Jackson and Patty Schnyder are in Justine Henin-Hardenne's section of the draw. Will be interesting to see if Hingis can reach the massive roadblock that is Justine.

At the bottom of the draw, there are a few threats between #5 seed Kuznetsova and #2 seed Kim Clijsters: Vaidisova, Na Li and Kirilenko.

News: Petrova's pulled out with her lingering groin injury from the French.

June 18, 2006

Sharapova, Stamp Collector

Teensy fluff piece about Masha's stamp-collecting hobby.

June 17, 2006

Jamea Jackson Upsets Sharapova

Sharapova Photo Wow. This is a shocker. Granted Jamea has been playing well, in particular during her ferocious run at Fed Cup in April, but beating defending Birmingham champ Maria Sharapova on her best surface in straight sets in a semifinal is just huge.

Jackson will face Vera Zvonereva for the title on Sunday.

Here's an article.

June 16, 2006

Sharapova, Venus and Serena on Forbes' Most Powerful Celebs List

Maria's 63, Serena's 87, and Venus is 90. I must be feeling particularly anti-capitalist today, or maybe it's just the news about Bill Gates becoming a full-time philanthropist, because the idea of this list feels sort of gross to me right now.

June 15, 2006

Queen Maria?

Dan over at No Man's Land has a pretty hysterical picture of Maria Sharapova and a slave, er, handler protecting her from the rain. Sure, tennis is the sport of kings, but come on.

June 09, 2006

Venus is USA's Favorite Female Athlete

Venus Williams Photo Venus beat out her sister Serena (No. 2) and the over-endorsed Maria Sharapova (no. 8) as the U.S.' favorite female athlete. The poll also breaks down favorites by generation, gender and region. Women's tennis won these categories:

Men: Serena
Women: Venus
Gen X: Serena
Baby Boomers:  Venus   
South & West: Venus

In case you were wondering, no, Federer didn't make the men's list, lol. The Harris Interactive Poll

June 06, 2006

Quote Round Up

This is literally yesterday's news, but here's a great round up of quotes from Monfils, Sharapova, Blake, Venus Williams, Dinara Safina and more.

June 04, 2006

Upset Weekend, Part 2

Well, Sunday's shaping up to be a day of upsets as well. Maria Sharapova went down to Dinara Safina in 3, and Mario Ancic took out Tommy Robredo in 5.

May 31, 2006

Mats Wilander on Sharapova, Nalbandian

Former grand slam champ Mats Wilander doubts Sharapova's chances at the French and weighs in on The Nalbandian Question.

I'm a big Nalbandian fan and hope he maintains his "foe-coose" so we can see a Federer-Nalbandian rematch next week. Nalbandian's 6-5 lifetime edge over Roger would be on the line.

May 28, 2006

More Fallout about the Sunday Start

From the NY Times: Some Close Calls and Sour Moods at the French Open

Mostly Federer and Sharapova; with reaction from Roland Garros's sports director.

Federer, Sharapova Unhappy with Sunday Start

Apparently both Roger and Maria had asked for a Monday start, but were denied.

From the Irish Examiner: Not-so-jolly Roger blasts French Open organisers

From the BBC: Angry Sharapova hits out at French Federation

ETA: Roger post-match interview

And here's a nice quote round up from Hartfield, Federer, Henman, Mauresmo and others at the BBC.

Sharapova Injured Again Day Before Roland Garros

From Matt Cronin's French Open Blog:

Maria Sharapova Photot FROM ROLAND GARROS - Maria Sharapova re-injured her right ankle in practice on Friday at Roland Garros, went to the doctor and after three hours got the good news – no fracture. The very bad news is that despite requesting a Monday start, she was denied and now is scheduled to face Mashona Washington later on Sunday on Suzanne Lenglen. She’s not happy about it and there’s still a chance that she won’t play. Read On...

May 26, 2006

No Clear Favorite Among the Women

At Roland Garros, Women's Tennis Searches for a Leader

Almost halfway through 2006, women's tennis remains upsidedown.

So far this year, three different women have held the no. 1 ranking. Amelie Mauresmo, the current no.1,won her first major title in Australia after Justine Henin-Hardenne retired with what was officially scored as a "gastrointestinal illness." Nadia Petrova, who dumped her coach in Australia because he was not "tough" enough, is now ranked no. 3 and has the most wins on the tour in 2006. Maria Sharapova is the second-best Russian, while Serena Williams, the most talented woman in the world, is the 14th-best American, ranked a lowly no. 108. And Martina Hingis has returned from a three-year retirement and moved quickly into the top 15. Read On...

April 26, 2006

Sharapova Injured, Pulls Out of Exhibitions

Maria Sharapova has pulled out of two exhibition matches against Gisela Dulko that were scheduled to take place in Mexico City this weekend because of a minor foot injury.  She will, however, still travel to Mexico to take part in promotion for the launch of her perfume there.

From Lawntennisnews:Maria Sharapova's injury keeps her off the courts for a week

"An MRI showed that Maria has inflammation in her right metatarsal joint with associated soft tissue swelling of the posterior tibialis insertion. She will recover fully, but cannot play tennis for the next few days,” according to Dr. Mark Lindsay.

April 19, 2006

Maria Sharapova: Style Over Substance?

Kim Zigfeld over at Russia Blog has written a rather scathing entry on Maria Sharapova entitled Beauty Before Tennis

Much to disagree with, but it does make for interesting reading and everyone's entitled to his/her opinion as they say.

(Just for fun, you can play spot-the-factual-error.  I volunteer where he/she claims that Serena Williams, not Venus, played in the 2005 Wimbledon final against Davenport).

Zigfeld's accusations include:

The usual "She's not really Russian anyway" complaint:

"As for Sharapova, first of all, it is questionable whether it is even appropriate to refer to her as “Russian.” She left the country as a small child, speaks English on the court, lives in Florida, spends virtually no time in Russia, has consistently refused to play for the national team and donates almost none of her vast fortune to the relief of Russian poverty."

She's just lucky:

"The next factor to be considered is luck.The only reason, for instance, that Sharapova reached the finals at Wimbledon in 2004 is that a sudden downpour interrupted her semi-finals match with Lindsey Davenport, not once but several times, while Davenport was in the midst of pulverizing Sharapova, who’d barely managed to win a single game. After the sequence of rain delays, the aging Davenport lost focus and physical edge while the youthful Sharapova rebounded."

Continue reading "Maria Sharapova: Style Over Substance?" »

April 18, 2006

Maria Sharapova Turns 19

I'm a few hours early, but Happy 19th Birthday to Maria Sharapova tomorrow.

People Magazine has an interview with her.  Just one tennis-related question, but it's about her match with Tatiana Golovin:

You had some drama recently in Miami, when you had to use the restroom during a match and the audience booed. How did you handle it?
I'm a woman. I have a small bladder. I needed to go – what are you going to do when you gotta go? Actually, it was a really tough situation in the match because I was winning and then she started coming back. It actually ended very dramatically – it was very unfortunate – the girl (Tatiana Golovin of France) twisted her ankle. But that's tennis. We all need a little drama.

April 13, 2006

Sharapova Makes Tag Heuer Appearance

The Maria Sharapova endorsement bandwagon rolls on:

Maria_sharapova_splashnews

From the South Asian Women's Forum:

Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova made a special appearance at Macy's, Herald Square this morning to promote the Tag Heuer Aquaracer brand. Wearing a lady’s Aquaracer Maria did the honors and signed autographs for her fans.

April 09, 2006

Another Endorsement for Sharapova

Just what Maria Sharapova needs, right?  Land Rover has now been added to her endorsement portfolio.  Two million dollars a year for three years are the reported, though unofficial, financial figures.

All that dough and her agent Max Eisenbud admits to ESPN, "It's not like Maria will help them sell cars in the same way she helps Prince sell rackets.  What this is about is two great brands being united."

The timing of this one was kind of funny.  The tennis media spent the weekend full of stories criticizing Sharapova for her behavior during the Nasdaq, but Monday Land Rover announced this deal.  I might have waited a few days for the bad press to blow over myself.

And I'm not one to condemn Sharapova for doing too many off-court endorsements.  She seems to have her time blocked out very well and shows absolutely no signs of becoming distracted from her tennis.

But when is enough enough? She reportedly will earn about $20 million from endorsements alone in 2006.  On what planet could she ever spend all the money she is piling up?   She's 18 (for a few more weeks anyway) - better she goes home and hangs out with her friends in her rare time away from tennis.

Maria Sharapova and Tatiana Golovin: No Hard Feelings

Maria Sharapova and Tatiana Golovin showed up together at a Miami Heat game just a couple of days after their now somewhat infamous semifinal matchup at the Nasdaq-100.  Note Golovin modeling the lovely pink cast. 

Tati_maria_heat

As for whether this was a WTA setup or of their own instigation, your guess is as good as mine.

Am I the only one who wasn't offended by Sharapova's behavior during her match with Golovin?

Continue reading "Maria Sharapova and Tatiana Golovin: No Hard Feelings" »

March 30, 2006

Yuri Sharapov: Not a Monster at Practice with Maria

You know you've gotten yourself an interesting reputation when reporters sound genuinely surprised to see you acting rational and sane.

From the Sun-Sentinel: Getting pop on her shots

Yuri Sharapov is annoyed. "Your toss is too low," he tells his daughter, Maria Sharapova, as she smacks a serve.

Sharapova is playing practice games with her hitting partner, former journeyman pro Michael Joyce. Every few minutes her father stops the action to correct her mechanics. He doesn't like the contact point on some of her groundstrokes, and he's not crazy about her second serve, either.

Sharapov's tone, in clear English, is firm but reasonable. This is not the raging, fist-thrusting Yuri we see on TV at Sharapova's matches. He even smiles a couple of times.

Continue reading "Yuri Sharapov: Not a Monster at Practice with Maria" »

March 24, 2006

Maria Sharapova

From the Sun-Sentinel: Sharapova deviates from usual tennis attire

Fresh from her Caribbean photo shoot for Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, Maria Sharapova will be sporting a dramatic new look when she steps on the court Saturday at the Nasdaq-100 Open on Key Biscayne.

A vast departure from the traditional pink tennis dress she wore in last year's tournament, Sharapova's new outfit is unusual because it's a form-fitting two-piece number: a short black skirt and a tight black-and-white corseted top. It was inspired by Nike's dance fitness line worn by Rihanna.

Continue reading "Maria Sharapova" »

March 23, 2006

New Clothes for Sharapova

From PR Newswire: Maria Sharapova Debuts Custom Designed Nike Apparel at Miami's Nasdaq-100 Open This Week (photos with article)

Fresh off her win at last weekend's Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Maria Sharapova will step onto the tennis court at the NASDAQ-100 Open tennis tournament in Miami, Fla., and debut new custom made Nike apparel that features a unique Dri-FIT sport corset and skirt that are adapted from Nike's fitness dance collection.

March 19, 2006

Sharapova Wins Pacific Life Open

From the San Diego Union-Tribune: Sharapova whips wind to claim title

One year, dismissed 6-0, 6-0. The next, the tournament champion.

It is the course Maria Sharapova traveled in yesterday becoming the champion of the Pacific Life Open with a 6-1, 6-2 conquest of Elena Dementieva in a forgettable final at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Sharapova would not permit her embarrassingly emphatic defeat to Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals of this event a year ago to prey on her mind, although much was made of it during the prelude to the $2.1 million tournament.

“I think it's kind of silly, that's what I think,” Sharapova said. “It's been a year.”

Continue reading "Sharapova Wins Pacific Life Open" »

March 13, 2006

Sharapova Working on Her Net Game

From The Desert Sun:

Working on her short game: With her powerful groundstrokes, Maria Sharapova can slug it out from the baseline with the best of them. However, Sharapova is working on coming to the net.

So far, it's something Sharapova is having a hard time getting used to.

"I did it in a few of my matches in Dubai. I was hitting a great first volley, then I was like, 'Whoa, do I need a second volley too?'" Sharapova said. "I'm doing a lot more drills, a lot more volleys because before, I'd hit a great approach shot and kind of go to La La Land. I didn't really know what I was doing out there. But now I definitely feel a lot more confident."

Continue reading "Sharapova Working on Her Net Game" »

March 10, 2006

Maria Sharapova

Not much new here, except that Maria Sharapova bought a house in Los Angeles.  She doesn't live there yet, but she bought it.

From The Desert Sun: In the Mind of Maria Sharapova

A double-bagel victim at the hands of Lindsay Davenport in the semifinals of the 2005 Pacific Life Open, Maria Sharapova returns to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in search of redemption.

"Oh yeah, I remember," Sharapova said of her 6-0, 6-0 defeat, "but I try to forget really quickly. It was just one of those days where nothing was going right for me. I don't think a lot of times in my career I'll be experiencing something like that."

Continue reading "Maria Sharapova" »

March 09, 2006

Sharapova Won't Play Fed Cup

From the BBC: Sharapova delays debut for Russia

Maria Sharapova will not make her Fed Cup debut for Russia when they launch the defence of their title against Belgium in April.

The Florida-based 19-year-old has repeatedly denied she does not want to represent her native country.

"It's quite untrue that I don't want to play for Russia," she said. "I have a Russian heart."

Sharapova does not want to follow hard-court events in Indian Wells and Miami with clay in Belgium.

"My body is just not ready after two tough tournaments to go and play Fed Cup," said Sharapova.

"It's my own personal decision, and I'm not going to be influenced by what anyone else does.

"I won't be forced into it. My body just isn't ready to go from hard courts to clay courts that quickly."

February 24, 2006

Sharapova Making Her Usual Impression in Dubai

From the Khaleej Times: Glamour on court

There's something about Maria Sharapova that hits you in the head, 'bang'. Born in the cold wilderness of small town called Nyagen in Siberia, she's now warming many a heart. For a 19-year-old, she's come a long, long way since her birth on April 19, 1987.

An Indian tennis journalist, of good standing, once described the Russian teenager as 'having the legs of a catwalk model, the face of a Hollywood beauty, the athletic gifts of a sporting prodigy and the poise of a born champion and that makes for the most marketable package this side of David Beckham and Anna Kournikova'.

Continue reading "Sharapova Making Her Usual Impression in Dubai" »

February 21, 2006

Sharapova and Davenport Take Part in Snowy Dubai Photoshoot

An indoor ski resort?  In a shopping mall?  Very odd, but that's where Maria Sharapova and Lindsay Davenport did a photo shoot to promote the Dubai Open tennis tournament.  The WTA site has a photo gallery posted.

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"To tell you the truth, I'm not really used to it. Of course, I was born in Siberia, but I don't remember any of it. It's amazing to see snow in a dome. I barely see snow ever. But to see it in this kind of environment, it's surreal.": Maria Sharapova.

From Zee News: Sharapova chills out with Davenport in Ski Dubai

February 20, 2006

Once Again...Maria Sharapova is Russian

From the AFP: Sharapova insists she is Russian

MARIA Sharapova has launched a vigorous attack on those who say she has never played Federation Cup for Russia because she doesn't want to.

"There are so many rumours about me which are untrue and that's one of them," she said. "Some of them are so untrue you just have to laugh at them.

"It's quite untrue that I don't want to play for Russia. I have a Russian heart," insisted the 19-year-old who has lived for most of the past decade in Florida, with increasing gossip that she might become a naturalised American.

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