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Russian professional tennis player Anna Kournikova on 'clingy' romantic boat ride with Enrique Iglesias
Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova Former tennis player who is set to star in the TV show "The biggest loser", was spotted enjoying a romantic boat ride with her boyfriend Enrique Iglesias.
Looks like, the Russian professional tennis player is making the most of her time with her long time boyfriend because she would not have much time off once the new series kicks off.She was seen clinging tightly on to Iglesias' waist as he jetted through the clear water in their motorboat in Miami, Florida, last weekend, reports the Daily Mail.Anna, would be stepping into Jillian Michaels's shoes as the head trainer on the show after the long-time host had decided to leave to start a family.
Interview after Final
Q. Obviously late start, but seemed like you really picked up the game in the second set. Victoria as well stayed tough, didn’t she?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, it’s a little bit too late to pick up the pace when you’re down a set and 4 0. Yeah, I wish I picked it up earlier obviously. Against a player like her you have to have that level from the beginning or else she’s going to go with it and only get better. She’ll gain more confidence.
Yeah, she did many things better than I did today. She was the aggressive one. She returned better and did a lot of things better than I did.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, it’s a little bit too late to pick up the pace when you’re down a set and 4 0. Yeah, I wish I picked it up earlier obviously. Against a player like her you have to have that level from the beginning or else she’s going to go with it and only get better. She’ll gain more confidence.
Yeah, she did many things better than I did today. She was the aggressive one. She returned better and did a lot of things better than I did.
Q. You’re only a couple years older, and yet it seems like there are some similarities to the point where she might have watched you modelled some stuff on you. Do you sense that you’re playing someone similar to you?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: She well, has an aggressive game. She goes for her groundstrokes. Yeah, there are certainly similarities. I don’t know if that’s because she watched me or that’s just the way her game is.
Yeah.
Q. You only managed to hold your serve once today. Was there any particular problem, or just it was an off day?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I mean, it was on off day on many parts of the game. I mean, there were many games when I was up in the game, 30 Love, 40 15, 40 Love, and didn’t hold serve. There were many games it was 30 All on her serve and I missed a return on, and that just takes away all the pressure from her. It gives her all the confidence in the world.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: She well, has an aggressive game. She goes for her groundstrokes. Yeah, there are certainly similarities. I don’t know if that’s because she watched me or that’s just the way her game is.
Yeah.
Q. You only managed to hold your serve once today. Was there any particular problem, or just it was an off day?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I mean, it was on off day on many parts of the game. I mean, there were many games when I was up in the game, 30 Love, 40 15, 40 Love, and didn’t hold serve. There were many games it was 30 All on her serve and I missed a return on, and that just takes away all the pressure from her. It gives her all the confidence in the world.
Q. At the beginning of this tournament you said about your expectation for the French Open.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: That I have expectations? What do you mean?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: That I have expectations? What do you mean?
Q. That you want to do well at Roland Garros.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Right.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Right.
Q. Can you explain a little bit more?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, you know, it’s a really exciting part of the year that’s coming up. I love the summer. I love starting on the clay. I feel like I learn a tremendous amount on it, and the game is long and interesting and teaches you a lot.
You know, the French is obviously the Grand Slam that I haven’t won, so I would love to compete there and do really well. I mean, that’s a goal of mine, no doubt about it.
Yeah, and then little by little get on the grass.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, you know, it’s a really exciting part of the year that’s coming up. I love the summer. I love starting on the clay. I feel like I learn a tremendous amount on it, and the game is long and interesting and teaches you a lot.
You know, the French is obviously the Grand Slam that I haven’t won, so I would love to compete there and do really well. I mean, that’s a goal of mine, no doubt about it.
Yeah, and then little by little get on the grass.
Q. You’ve gotten so much traction with your service return in some of these matches, yet today your serve wasn’t working.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, not at all.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, not at all.
Q. How did you feel about that?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: You nailed it. I didn’t have much traction on it. I don’t know what that term means. You’re talking about the return. But, yeah, I was just making too many errors.
Like you said, I mean, when you have 15 30, 30 All, it’s just I mean, you got to go for it, but you got to make your opponent play. Just gives her all the confidence in the world.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: You nailed it. I didn’t have much traction on it. I don’t know what that term means. You’re talking about the return. But, yeah, I was just making too many errors.
Like you said, I mean, when you have 15 30, 30 All, it’s just I mean, you got to go for it, but you got to make your opponent play. Just gives her all the confidence in the world.
Q. Semifinals Indian Wells, final here, back in the top 10. Do you still need that one big win to get your confidence so you can feel like, Okay, I can win slam again, or you feel like you’re there already?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Look, no matter if you win or lose, you always want to build your game and be better. That’s the way I look at it. I never want to feel satisfied. I don’t think that’s the right mentality to have.
I’m very, very happy that I’ve achieved this much in the last three, four weeks. If you saw me, I don’t know, ten weeks ago when I came back from Paris after pulling out then, I was in no shape or form to even play a tournament.
So it’s really amazing that I even achieved that. Like I said, I came into Indian Wells without a lot of expectations. I was sick for almost three weeks, and I got myself back in it.
You know, yeah, I’m proud of that. Definitely.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Look, no matter if you win or lose, you always want to build your game and be better. That’s the way I look at it. I never want to feel satisfied. I don’t think that’s the right mentality to have.
I’m very, very happy that I’ve achieved this much in the last three, four weeks. If you saw me, I don’t know, ten weeks ago when I came back from Paris after pulling out then, I was in no shape or form to even play a tournament.
So it’s really amazing that I even achieved that. Like I said, I came into Indian Wells without a lot of expectations. I was sick for almost three weeks, and I got myself back in it.
You know, yeah, I’m proud of that. Definitely.
Q. Have you made any changes in your equipment, particularly your strings because of your shoulder?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, well, I changed my racquet in November. I started playing with a Head, but not because of the shoulder.
And the string, I’ve changed my string a lot of times. Also depends on the weather. Sometimes when you go on clay maybe you feel like you need a little more pop. It changes.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, well, I changed my racquet in November. I started playing with a Head, but not because of the shoulder.
And the string, I’ve changed my string a lot of times. Also depends on the weather. Sometimes when you go on clay maybe you feel like you need a little more pop. It changes.
Q. Could you repeat what went through your mind when Vika hit those two nets in a row at 3 Love?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Sometimes that’s the way it goes. I mean, I could have been up and that could have happened. I was obviously down and that happened, so it doesn’t really help.
It’s just the situation that you’re in. What can you do about it? It’s a sport. There’s a net.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Sometimes that’s the way it goes. I mean, I could have been up and that could have happened. I was obviously down and that happened, so it doesn’t really help.
It’s just the situation that you’re in. What can you do about it? It’s a sport. There’s a net.
Q. Can you elaborate just a little bit more on the illness? What was wrong in those couple three weeks before Indian Wells?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I just got really sick. I had the flu. It was pretty bad. I got it in Moscow and then I went to Paris with it and then stayed there and then flew home and got an ear infection and all those things.
So it was a normal flu, but not that normal.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I just got really sick. I had the flu. It was pretty bad. I got it in Moscow and then I went to Paris with it and then stayed there and then flew home and got an ear infection and all those things.
So it was a normal flu, but not that normal.
Q. Normal/abnormal.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, just a long recovery process. I’m just saying I was not in a state like first day I went on the court, my coach knows it was just laughable. I just lost weight and I was so out of it. (Laughing.)
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, just a long recovery process. I’m just saying I was not in a state like first day I went on the court, my coach knows it was just laughable. I just lost weight and I was so out of it. (Laughing.)
Q. How many practice days did you miss?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Like almost three weeks, two and a half weeks. Like I was saying, I just didn’t really have many expectations going into Indian Wells I will.
But I did practice really hard going into these two tournaments once I got my energy back. I played some matches, hit a lot with Tommy Haas actually, so that was really fun.
Yeah, I had some good practices.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Like almost three weeks, two and a half weeks. Like I was saying, I just didn’t really have many expectations going into Indian Wells I will.
But I did practice really hard going into these two tournaments once I got my energy back. I played some matches, hit a lot with Tommy Haas actually, so that was really fun.
Yeah, I had some good practices.
Q. At the end of the first set you had a meeting with your coach. What do you and your coach talk about?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, yeah, he told me that I have to be the one that has to be aggressive from the first ball. When she has the opportunities to hit the first ball, that’s when she steps in and is at her best and she really dictates play.
Yeah, that’s pretty much it.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, yeah, he told me that I have to be the one that has to be aggressive from the first ball. When she has the opportunities to hit the first ball, that’s when she steps in and is at her best and she really dictates play.
Yeah, that’s pretty much it.
Q. So much was made of your shrieking early in your career. Did you feel like you met your match today on the court?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. I don’t really think about it when I play.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. I don’t really think about it when I play.
Q. Were you not aware of what’s going on at the other end that way?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. It’s about thinking what have to do.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. It’s about thinking what have to do.
Q. What does it mean to you to be back in the top 10?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, it means that I’m winning matches and winning more of them. It’s been a long road to get here. It’s not over yet, so, yeah, just keep going.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, it means that I’m winning matches and winning more of them. It’s been a long road to get here. It’s not over yet, so, yeah, just keep going.
Q. Do you feel like the women’s game is wide open with the Williamses gone, Justine quit, Kim’s back and forth and Caroline’s never won slam. Do you feel like it’s there to be had?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: You can’t think like that. You have to have your own mindset. If you think you have a chance because someone’s not playing, that’s a weak mentality to have. I’m a competitor. I like playing against the best. I love playing against champions. It’s what makes it fun.
I mean, it’s what the game is all about.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: You can’t think like that. You have to have your own mindset. If you think you have a chance because someone’s not playing, that’s a weak mentality to have. I’m a competitor. I like playing against the best. I love playing against champions. It’s what makes it fun.
I mean, it’s what the game is all about.
GO MARIA !!!
Too bad...
Maria lost the final in two sets: 1-6, 4-6. Look at the number of "Unforced Errors". Too many... too many...
GO MARIA !!!
Semifinal Interview
Q. In light of the week you’ve had and with the weather conditions today and she’s playing great, how satisfying is that win today?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I’m really happy that I’m back in the finals here. I missed this tournament so many years. So to be back in the final and I started off really well in this tournament.
Almost lucky to be here. Had a tough one the other night and also a three setter today. She’s been playing the best tennis of her career and beat some good players here, so I was really happy I was able to change things around after losing the first set.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I’m really happy that I’m back in the finals here. I missed this tournament so many years. So to be back in the final and I started off really well in this tournament.
Almost lucky to be here. Had a tough one the other night and also a three setter today. She’s been playing the best tennis of her career and beat some good players here, so I was really happy I was able to change things around after losing the first set.
Q. She said that one of the things that makes you such a good champion is that you sense right away a weakness in the other player and basically you jump on that. She said that she felt that you sensed she was hesitating, whatever. Can you talk about that?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, to be honest, I felt like I was just making a lot errors in the first set and I wasn’t moving my feet at all. And especially with the wind I wasn’t moving towards the ball and letting the ball come to me and not really being aggressive. That’s what’s won me so many matches in my career is when I step in and I hit my strokes and they come deep. I just wasn’t doing that.
So first and foremost I felt like I had to start doing that and making little steps and adjusting my game a little bit. More than anything, I sensed that she was tired probably a lot of the dancing that she’s been doing and I took advantage of it.
Q. She thought you would be tired in the third after the long match you had the previous night. Didn’t seem to be that way.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Because I didn’t do the dance after. I wasn’t tired.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, to be honest, I felt like I was just making a lot errors in the first set and I wasn’t moving my feet at all. And especially with the wind I wasn’t moving towards the ball and letting the ball come to me and not really being aggressive. That’s what’s won me so many matches in my career is when I step in and I hit my strokes and they come deep. I just wasn’t doing that.
So first and foremost I felt like I had to start doing that and making little steps and adjusting my game a little bit. More than anything, I sensed that she was tired probably a lot of the dancing that she’s been doing and I took advantage of it.
Q. She thought you would be tired in the third after the long match you had the previous night. Didn’t seem to be that way.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Because I didn’t do the dance after. I wasn’t tired.
Q. It’s the steps, is it?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don’t know what it is. I just know that I won my match and I won it today again.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don’t know what it is. I just know that I won my match and I won it today again.
Q. Clearly you feel physically good, strong. You say you were hitting your groundstrokes pretty powerfully in the second and third set.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I started to. Yeah, I think that’s really important. I didn’t feel like I had in the beginning. I don’t think it was because of that. I think it was just because I was not moving that well. I knew that I had to make that adjustment, yeah.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I started to. Yeah, I think that’s really important. I didn’t feel like I had in the beginning. I don’t think it was because of that. I think it was just because I was not moving that well. I knew that I had to make that adjustment, yeah.
Q. Is that the best you’ve served in a while? You really picked it up in the second and third set.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I did. But I felt like in the first set I wasn’t returning or serving well, and that took the pressure away on her serve.
And even when she had second serve opportunities, she just had a lot of confidence. I didn’t take a lot of that out of the way.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I did. But I felt like in the first set I wasn’t returning or serving well, and that took the pressure away on her serve.
And even when she had second serve opportunities, she just had a lot of confidence. I didn’t take a lot of that out of the way.
Q. You were very dominate in the second set. Going into the third set, how did you feel? Did you feel there’s no way you could lose or this match is still up for grabs?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I wish I could feel like that. I would be overconfident if I felt like that. But it’s tricky, because you have to figure that it’s one set all. And although you just won the set 6 0, I still felt like we had a lot of deuce games, as much as we did in the first set, I just didn’t win them.
It was a matter of making sure that I was doing the same things that I did in order to change the match, to keep doing them and being consistent about that.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I wish I could feel like that. I would be overconfident if I felt like that. But it’s tricky, because you have to figure that it’s one set all. And although you just won the set 6 0, I still felt like we had a lot of deuce games, as much as we did in the first set, I just didn’t win them.
It was a matter of making sure that I was doing the same things that I did in order to change the match, to keep doing them and being consistent about that.
Q. Seems like the Russian women were really dominating the game five years ago, and that’s changed lately. You may meet Vera in the final. Will that be exciting?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, absolutely. Another girl is from Belarus as well. So all from the same region, I guess. But, yeah, we had a lot of great results from our country many years ago, like you said, so it obviously would be great to play Vera. We haven’t faced each other for a while, so, yeah, it would be nice.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, absolutely. Another girl is from Belarus as well. So all from the same region, I guess. But, yeah, we had a lot of great results from our country many years ago, like you said, so it obviously would be great to play Vera. We haven’t faced each other for a while, so, yeah, it would be nice.
Q. What would it mean to win this tournament?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It would mean a lot. It’s the biggest tournament I think after the Grand Slams. Like I said, I’m pretty fortunate to be in the finals after having a few tough ones like I had the previous rounds.
Yeah, I look forward to going out there and getting it done.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It would mean a lot. It’s the biggest tournament I think after the Grand Slams. Like I said, I’m pretty fortunate to be in the finals after having a few tough ones like I had the previous rounds.
Yeah, I look forward to going out there and getting it done.
Q. Are you back? Do you feel like you’re back to the top, you can get right to the top again?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I feel like I’m finding my form. Like I said, I was looking to play a lot of the matches before I came to Indian Wells. I really felt like with many matches and staying healthy that I would feel better and my form would start coming back to me, and my tennis as well.
I feel that that’s playing out really well.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I feel like I’m finding my form. Like I said, I was looking to play a lot of the matches before I came to Indian Wells. I really felt like with many matches and staying healthy that I would feel better and my form would start coming back to me, and my tennis as well.
I feel that that’s playing out really well.
Q. Talk about what happened with your shoulder and sort of the process of coming back from this and maybe why it took a little bit longer than you hoped and how you’ve had to adjust your form to help your shoulder more?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I don’t know how much you know about it, but I had a couple minor tears in it, tendon tears, that weren’t initially seen in the first MRI I did, and I played with it for a little while. Got a little bit worse after that. We caught it a little late, and that’s why I think it took a little longer than it should have.
I tried to rehab I believe the first two months. When that didn’t help I had surgery on it. Probably took me six, seven months after the surgery to come back to the tour.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I don’t know how much you know about it, but I had a couple minor tears in it, tendon tears, that weren’t initially seen in the first MRI I did, and I played with it for a little while. Got a little bit worse after that. We caught it a little late, and that’s why I think it took a little longer than it should have.
I tried to rehab I believe the first two months. When that didn’t help I had surgery on it. Probably took me six, seven months after the surgery to come back to the tour.
Q. Have you had to change your serve?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I did in the beginning, yeah.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I did in the beginning, yeah.
Q. How about now?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, well, in the beginning I had a much shorter motion. Just kind of took it straight up. My joints are pretty loose in my shoulders and kind of throughout my whole body. That’s one of the reasons why I think I got the injury in the first place.
So in order to start earlier I had to change it. Now it’s not as long as it used to be, but it’s pretty much there.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, well, in the beginning I had a much shorter motion. Just kind of took it straight up. My joints are pretty loose in my shoulders and kind of throughout my whole body. That’s one of the reasons why I think I got the injury in the first place.
So in order to start earlier I had to change it. Now it’s not as long as it used to be, but it’s pretty much there.
Q. Do you and Sasha ever exchange competitive strategies about each other’s sports?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Give me an example.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Give me an example.
Q. He’s had his ups and downs over the years. Every athlete does.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah.
Q. Talk about certain situations…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It obviously helps that he’s an athlete and understands the perspective and the mindset going into matches and being an athlete. It’s quite different to many other things in life and careers.
We have that between each other. We’re obviously in different sports, but we although we’re all in sports and we understand each other, it’s not something that we constantly talk about.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It obviously helps that he’s an athlete and understands the perspective and the mindset going into matches and being an athlete. It’s quite different to many other things in life and careers.
We have that between each other. We’re obviously in different sports, but we although we’re all in sports and we understand each other, it’s not something that we constantly talk about.
Q. Is there any one piece of advice you gave him or he gave you that stayed with the other person?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think that stays between us.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think that stays between us.
Q. I didn’t mean to say what it was…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: You just asked the question. (Laughter.)
MARIA SHARAPOVA: You just asked the question. (Laughter.)
Q. Have you exchanged things?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, of course. Obviously he’s my fiancee. We talk. We talk about many things. He understands what I go through obviously, like you said, from an athlete’s perspective. It’s very different. You have ups and downs and wins and then the losses, and he’s always there for me and understands what I go through. So it’s very nice to have that.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, of course. Obviously he’s my fiancee. We talk. We talk about many things. He understands what I go through obviously, like you said, from an athlete’s perspective. It’s very different. You have ups and downs and wins and then the losses, and he’s always there for me and understands what I go through. So it’s very nice to have that.
Q. Your return of serve today again was very phenomenal, and you also mentioned it earlier. Has that always been such a strong part of your game?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I didn’t think so in the first, but I think that was one of the adjustments that I had to make for the second and third set, was to really you know, by me saying being aggressive, it starts from the first ball you hit. That starts with the return, because it puts something in their mind when they go up to the line. They have to go for a little bit more maybe.
So I’ve been returning quite well throughout this tournament, and it’s something that’s going to be quite important in the final.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I didn’t think so in the first, but I think that was one of the adjustments that I had to make for the second and third set, was to really you know, by me saying being aggressive, it starts from the first ball you hit. That starts with the return, because it puts something in their mind when they go up to the line. They have to go for a little bit more maybe.
So I’ve been returning quite well throughout this tournament, and it’s something that’s going to be quite important in the final.
Q. Talk about your match maybe against Azarenka.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, she plays really aggressive and swings really hard from both sides. You know, a great returner. It’ll be tough. I lost to her the last time we played in Stanford that was, I believe so, yeah, I’ll look to change a few things around if I play her.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, she plays really aggressive and swings really hard from both sides. You know, a great returner. It’ll be tough. I lost to her the last time we played in Stanford that was, I believe so, yeah, I’ll look to change a few things around if I play her.
GO MARIA !!!
Game, Set, Match and Final in Miami !
After 2005 and 2006, Maria is once again in the final at Sony Ericsson Open in Miami after she won her match against Petkovic in semifinals.
Maria started slow and she lost the first set, 3-6. In this first set, Maria made a lot of unforced errors and double-faults but she had an amazing set 2 and 3, when she won 11 games in a row !
So, the final score was 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 and Maria is in the final, where she awaits her opponent between Victoria Azarenka of Belarus or Vera Zvonareva of Russia.
GO MARIA !!!
Quarters Interview
Q. Can you talk about that match? It’s obviously one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament, if not this year?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, it was long. It was tough. It was not my best performance, but, you know, I gutted it out till the end. I didn’t feel great throughout the match. I was making too many errors.
My opponent was playing really well and consistent, and I just never felt, even though I had the lead, I just never took care of it. But at the end of the day I won, so I’m really happy.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, it was long. It was tough. It was not my best performance, but, you know, I gutted it out till the end. I didn’t feel great throughout the match. I was making too many errors.
My opponent was playing really well and consistent, and I just never felt, even though I had the lead, I just never took care of it. But at the end of the day I won, so I’m really happy.
Q. How much of an impact was the crowd? Could you really feel the energy in the building?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, after, you know, they’ve spent the whole day with the rain delays, and, you know, sitting around waiting for matches and then the match goes long, so, you know, their enthusiasm builds. You can definitely feel the energy.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, after, you know, they’ve spent the whole day with the rain delays, and, you know, sitting around waiting for matches and then the match goes long, so, you know, their enthusiasm builds. You can definitely feel the energy.
Q. Were you asked already about your ankle?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No.
Q. We saw it. It made everyone cringe. It was quite a turn. How much did it hurt? How does it feel now?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It hurt when I did it. Yeah, I iced it a lot and did an ice bath and got it taped. Yeah, I think I’ll be okay. I’m tough.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No.
Q. We saw it. It made everyone cringe. It was quite a turn. How much did it hurt? How does it feel now?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It hurt when I did it. Yeah, I iced it a lot and did an ice bath and got it taped. Yeah, I think I’ll be okay. I’m tough.
Q. How about right after that. Was it hard to play on it or step on it?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It was taped. I don’t really get taped much, so it was a weird feeling, first of all, for me. I haven’t had tape actually anywhere I think for the last five, six years.
So I just don’t like tape at all. I feel really restricted, so that was really strange.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It was taped. I don’t really get taped much, so it was a weird feeling, first of all, for me. I haven’t had tape actually anywhere I think for the last five, six years.
So I just don’t like tape at all. I feel really restricted, so that was really strange.
Q. Did you have the feeling that the court was particularly slow with the humidity?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, but that’s expected. It was really humid. It was probably it’s expected in Miami. I mean, I’ve trained in Florida so many years, and sometimes at night it gets even worse than during the day.
Yeah, the conditions were really slow, and I think that helped a lot.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, but that’s expected. It was really humid. It was probably it’s expected in Miami. I mean, I’ve trained in Florida so many years, and sometimes at night it gets even worse than during the day.
Yeah, the conditions were really slow, and I think that helped a lot.
Q. How do you see your match against Petkovic?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I didn’t have a good result against her in Australia, so, yeah, I’m looking forward to it. It’s the semifinal. She’s playing really good tennis.
Yeah, I’ll have to definitely raise my level.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I didn’t have a good result against her in Australia, so, yeah, I’m looking forward to it. It’s the semifinal. She’s playing really good tennis.
Yeah, I’ll have to definitely raise my level.
Q. But you are playing better now than in Australia?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I feel like I’m today wasn’t my best tennis that I played in the last couple tournaments, but it doesn’t matter. I played a few good matches here already, and, yeah, I just have to build on what I have.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I feel like I’m today wasn’t my best tennis that I played in the last couple tournaments, but it doesn’t matter. I played a few good matches here already, and, yeah, I just have to build on what I have.
Q. Do you have any particular plans for tomorrow in terms of training, practicing?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think it will just be pretty basic, just work on the strokes if my ankle lets me.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think it will just be pretty basic, just work on the strokes if my ankle lets me.
Q. What is it about Petkovic? What’s she been doing in the last few matches, you know, to beat the players she’s been beating?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I haven’t seen any of them, but knowing how she played against me, she’s very steady, you know, really good athlete, moves really well around the court.
But, yeah, she’s in really good form and playing, you know, some of the best tennis of her career.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I haven’t seen any of them, but knowing how she played against me, she’s very steady, you know, really good athlete, moves really well around the court.
But, yeah, she’s in really good form and playing, you know, some of the best tennis of her career.
Q. You look very, very happy at the end of the match. It is because you win not playing your good tennis?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. Some days are like that when you don’t feel that many things are working for you and you’re making a lot of errors, but you just find a way to win.
You know, it sometimes feels better, because if you’re up and everything goes your way and it’s easy I mean, of course, that’s great, it’s fantastic but sometimes when it’s tough and you find yourself down and then up but never really playing your best tennis, it’s always nice to win.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. Some days are like that when you don’t feel that many things are working for you and you’re making a lot of errors, but you just find a way to win.
You know, it sometimes feels better, because if you’re up and everything goes your way and it’s easy I mean, of course, that’s great, it’s fantastic but sometimes when it’s tough and you find yourself down and then up but never really playing your best tennis, it’s always nice to win.
GO MARIA !!!
Big battle
What a match it was in quarters for Maria against Alexandra Dulgheru, a match who lasted 3 hours and 28 minutues ! Maria defeated the romanian player in 3 sets: 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 !
So, it was a tough match for Maria, a big battle for a place in seminfinals at Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, but Maria managed to get in the last 4 players here.
In semifinal, Maria will play against Andrea Petkovic of Germany. A perfect oportunity for Maria to avenge the last match between the two players at Australian Open, where the german player won.
The overall score between Maria and Petkovic is 1-1.
GO MARIA !!!
4th Round Interview in Miami
Q. You said the other day that if you won another slam it would mean more to you perhaps than the previous three.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah.
Q. Why?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, because I missed a year being out of the game. I actually didn't really know if I would be back and when and where I would be, at what form, if my shoulder could handle, you know, playing in the tournaments and everything.
Yeah, it was a tough time. You know, you take it for granted every day that, you know, you hit a tennis ball for a living. And then when you can't do it, you realize how much it meant to you and how much it means to you.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, because I missed a year being out of the game. I actually didn't really know if I would be back and when and where I would be, at what form, if my shoulder could handle, you know, playing in the tournaments and everything.
Yeah, it was a tough time. You know, you take it for granted every day that, you know, you hit a tennis ball for a living. And then when you can't do it, you realize how much it meant to you and how much it means to you.
Q. Was there a time in that space with the shoulder that you really wondered if you would play again?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I didn't have a lot of people that let me think about it too much. You know, my parents were really, really positive. And, you know, Michael, my coach I had for six, seven years, you know, he was with me every single day of the process and going to Phoenix to rehab it.
I was just constantly trying to get it better. So I definitely had set myself some set guidelines when I thought I would get back. I never really met those, so that was really disappointing, because four or five times it happened where I would set a goal and I'd say, I want to be back for that tournament or I think I'm going to get better or you can go out and serve now, I'd go out and serve, and, no, I really can't.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I didn't have a lot of people that let me think about it too much. You know, my parents were really, really positive. And, you know, Michael, my coach I had for six, seven years, you know, he was with me every single day of the process and going to Phoenix to rehab it.
I was just constantly trying to get it better. So I definitely had set myself some set guidelines when I thought I would get back. I never really met those, so that was really disappointing, because four or five times it happened where I would set a goal and I'd say, I want to be back for that tournament or I think I'm going to get better or you can go out and serve now, I'd go out and serve, and, no, I really can't.
Q. When you're 17 and you hoist that trophy at Wimbledon, do you fully comprehend what you have achieved? Is it possible?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't think at that point it isn't. It takes a while and it's really overwhelming. I think you're almost a little bit naive at that point about achieving something like that.
Yeah, I mean, from my perspective, I just didn't think I was physically ready wasn't physically matured enough, wasn't strong enough. And mentally, to do it seven matches in a Grand Slam, you know, beating really top players, especially in the final, yeah, I didn't think I was yeah.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't think at that point it isn't. It takes a while and it's really overwhelming. I think you're almost a little bit naive at that point about achieving something like that.
Yeah, I mean, from my perspective, I just didn't think I was physically ready wasn't physically matured enough, wasn't strong enough. And mentally, to do it seven matches in a Grand Slam, you know, beating really top players, especially in the final, yeah, I didn't think I was yeah.
Q. So what's the big difference between a day like today when you strike the ball and play the way you did today and then some of those days when you had a rougher time, et cetera?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. Um, sometimes you, you know, come out, you feel like you're swinging away, and things are going well. You know, you have a good rhythm on your shots; you're moving well.
Sometimes you, you know, come out and you're either flat, you don't have that energy, or sometimes you want to push yourself but you can't.
It just depends on the day. Sometimes the conditions, and sometimes it's maybe your opponent just giving you too much trouble in that particular day.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. Um, sometimes you, you know, come out, you feel like you're swinging away, and things are going well. You know, you have a good rhythm on your shots; you're moving well.
Sometimes you, you know, come out and you're either flat, you don't have that energy, or sometimes you want to push yourself but you can't.
It just depends on the day. Sometimes the conditions, and sometimes it's maybe your opponent just giving you too much trouble in that particular day.
Q. How do you explain your mastery of her? Even in this period when she's obviously had a very good year and stuff, but you're 7 0, I guess.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I don't know. Oh, my dad's calling me. Sorry, dad. (Smiling.)
Yeah, I have a good record against her, but it's not something that you typically look at going into the match. I mean, I know that she's a very tough player. She's No. 5 in the world. You can't take that for granted going out on the court.
Her serve is one of her biggest weapons. She has a great kick out there and gets more spin than anyone on tour. She'll hang in there with you and she'll be you know, she'll be tough, and that's why I mean, she's at that spot for a reason, you know.
She's a grand slam finalist and does really well on clay, and many other surfaces, as well. I think I try to take away the good things that have happened me in the previous meetings, and just, yeah, take care of business on that day.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I don't know. Oh, my dad's calling me. Sorry, dad. (Smiling.)
Yeah, I have a good record against her, but it's not something that you typically look at going into the match. I mean, I know that she's a very tough player. She's No. 5 in the world. You can't take that for granted going out on the court.
Her serve is one of her biggest weapons. She has a great kick out there and gets more spin than anyone on tour. She'll hang in there with you and she'll be you know, she'll be tough, and that's why I mean, she's at that spot for a reason, you know.
She's a grand slam finalist and does really well on clay, and many other surfaces, as well. I think I try to take away the good things that have happened me in the previous meetings, and just, yeah, take care of business on that day.
Q. Do you have any pain remaining in that shoulder or numbness at all?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. No, numbness anymore, no. It sometimes depends on the conditions. If it's cold and one day it's warm and all of a sudden it's cold, I just have to make sure I do an extra warmup.
You know, sometimes if I play for seven, eight days in a row and don't have a break, it's you've got to take it easier a little bit than the other days. Just things like that. Nothing too overwhelming.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: No. No, numbness anymore, no. It sometimes depends on the conditions. If it's cold and one day it's warm and all of a sudden it's cold, I just have to make sure I do an extra warmup.
You know, sometimes if I play for seven, eight days in a row and don't have a break, it's you've got to take it easier a little bit than the other days. Just things like that. Nothing too overwhelming.
Q. Have you walked off the court from a match since your injury feeling like that's as well as I've ever played?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, you know, I tend to be a perfectionist. You know, I have said it many times, although I'm, you know, my biggest fan, I'm also my biggest critic, as well. I step off the court winning the match, and I always want to improve.
You know, if it's just a little thing or a big thing, I always feel like your opponents are going to get tougher as the tournament goes on. You're going to have to raise your level. That's how I look at things.
I mean, if I think that I'm perfect, I don't think there's any more goals ahead of you. It's difficult to think that way.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, you know, I tend to be a perfectionist. You know, I have said it many times, although I'm, you know, my biggest fan, I'm also my biggest critic, as well. I step off the court winning the match, and I always want to improve.
You know, if it's just a little thing or a big thing, I always feel like your opponents are going to get tougher as the tournament goes on. You're going to have to raise your level. That's how I look at things.
I mean, if I think that I'm perfect, I don't think there's any more goals ahead of you. It's difficult to think that way.
Q. I just mean in terms of not perfection in your game but as well as you've played. You know, I was playing this well in 19?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: In 19? Well, I was only 13, so... (Laughter.)
I haven't thought about it, but there have been some matches where I felt like little pieces start coming together and you get a sense of the court.
When I came back after missing so many tournaments and matches, the first thing I just noticed was how those natural instincts just go away so much. You really have to it's not something that you work you work on it, but it's not just something that comes.
You have to play in order to get it back.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: In 19? Well, I was only 13, so... (Laughter.)
I haven't thought about it, but there have been some matches where I felt like little pieces start coming together and you get a sense of the court.
When I came back after missing so many tournaments and matches, the first thing I just noticed was how those natural instincts just go away so much. You really have to it's not something that you work you work on it, but it's not just something that comes.
You have to play in order to get it back.
Q. Was there a low point where you ever actually considered, I don't know that I'll ever be back? Did you ever think about another career option, or did you always know that you were going to make it back?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I never looked at any options, as tennis is what I've known since I was four years old. It's what I've done every single morning since then.
There is no obviously it's tough, because I think the toughest was when I first just tried to rehab for three months thinking that was going to do something, but then it didn't and I had to have my first surgery.
Then when you're 21 and having to make that decision, it also is in the back of my mind that not people have come back from shoulder surgery at all. So that was a tough thought to process.
But I couldn't I mean, I really couldn't hit a serve and I couldn't hit a backhand volley, anything that was high. It was just I mean, I had to do something, so that was kind of the plan B.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I never looked at any options, as tennis is what I've known since I was four years old. It's what I've done every single morning since then.
There is no obviously it's tough, because I think the toughest was when I first just tried to rehab for three months thinking that was going to do something, but then it didn't and I had to have my first surgery.
Then when you're 21 and having to make that decision, it also is in the back of my mind that not people have come back from shoulder surgery at all. So that was a tough thought to process.
But I couldn't I mean, I really couldn't hit a serve and I couldn't hit a backhand volley, anything that was high. It was just I mean, I had to do something, so that was kind of the plan B.
Q. What can you do to play a series of matches like this, which means you end up holding a trophy at the end of the week?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Right.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Right.
Q. Do you have a feeling for what you need to do differently or what else you need to do in order to be able to get that consistency?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, a lot of it is adjustments throughout the match, and depending on your opponents. You know, if you find yourself with a game plan that's just you come out and you're not feeling it or it doesn't quite work, you just really have to find a way to adjust to your opponent and maybe the conditions sometimes and just really figure it out.
That's the great thing about the sport is that, you know, you have so many points and so many games, and many, many different situation opportunities. Just really got to take care of them.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, a lot of it is adjustments throughout the match, and depending on your opponents. You know, if you find yourself with a game plan that's just you come out and you're not feeling it or it doesn't quite work, you just really have to find a way to adjust to your opponent and maybe the conditions sometimes and just really figure it out.
That's the great thing about the sport is that, you know, you have so many points and so many games, and many, many different situation opportunities. Just really got to take care of them.
Q. Your website is linked with Kei Nishikori's at the moment about the Japan charity. Can you talk about that a little bit or how you became involved or wanted to?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. Well, it's obviously a huge tragedy around the world right now. Japan just is one of my favorite countries to visit. First time I went there I think was 13 or 14 years old playing a junior tournament, one of the outside cities.
I've just had such memorable times there. To see the country struggle so much as it is now, I think everyone is trying to do as much as we can. Kei and I are trying to set something up for the tournament later in the year to help raise as much money as we can.
Yeah, I just hope that, you know, with the radiation, that gets taken care of as soon as possible so it doesn't spread and cause it to last really long.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. Well, it's obviously a huge tragedy around the world right now. Japan just is one of my favorite countries to visit. First time I went there I think was 13 or 14 years old playing a junior tournament, one of the outside cities.
I've just had such memorable times there. To see the country struggle so much as it is now, I think everyone is trying to do as much as we can. Kei and I are trying to set something up for the tournament later in the year to help raise as much money as we can.
Yeah, I just hope that, you know, with the radiation, that gets taken care of as soon as possible so it doesn't spread and cause it to last really long.
Q. You had complimented Samantha on her serve, but your return of serve today seemed to be very, very spot on. Could you talk about that a little bit?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, against a good server, that's sometimes even more important than your own serve because it puts a little bit of, you know, thought process into their mind when they step onto the line, you know.
I was quite solid, and in the beginning I thought I made a few more errors on the second serves than I should have. You know, I adjusted to that and I became more solid and started going for it a little bit more and I felt more comfortable.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, against a good server, that's sometimes even more important than your own serve because it puts a little bit of, you know, thought process into their mind when they step onto the line, you know.
I was quite solid, and in the beginning I thought I made a few more errors on the second serves than I should have. You know, I adjusted to that and I became more solid and started going for it a little bit more and I felt more comfortable.
GO MARIA !!!
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