Maria Sharapova: A look into her career
Maria Sharapova born April 19, 1987 is the former world number one professional tennis player from Russia who won 22 WTA career titles. Her looks and on court performances made her the most searched for athlete in 2005 and 2007.
The former world number one turned professional in the year of 2001. At her arrival at the international arena, Maria Sharapova sent a clear message to the world that she has what it takes to be at the top of the rankings. She
first received attention when she was only 13, winning the Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championships in the under 16 category. Her performance in that particular event earned her Rising Star Award. Sharapova then enjoyed success in the Juniors Wimbledon
and Australian Open 2002, reaching the finals of both events.
Sharapova did not win a single match at the French Open and Australian Open in 2003, but playing a full season ensured her ranking to jump into the top 50. However at the Wimbledon 2003 the tall Russian managed to reach the fourth
round, eventually losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova. 2004 proved to be the most successful year for Sharapova when she grabbed a place in the semifinals at the Region Morgan Keegan and the Cellular South Cup, improving her ranking significantly. But it was the
2004 Wimbledon when a real career breakthrough came for the Russian. Sharapova denied Serena Williams in the final of prestigious tournament. It was an achievement that would be remembered for a long time in tennis circles, a moment filled with high emotions
and drama. Maria’s blonde hair and skills at speaking English made her an international star instantaneously afterwards.
It is said that Maria Sharapova moved to the states with her father early in her childhood, leaving behind her mother in Serbia. Self-disciplined Sharapova quickly fell in love with professional tennis. Her Wimbledon win gives
an insight into the hard work she and her father had put in towards their goals.
Her next Grand Slam title win followed at the US Open 2006 which was huge. She again captured world-wide attention and her appearances in a stunning black outfit made her a tennis fashion icon this time. In the final she got the
better of Justine Henin winning the decisive set 6-0. In her last Grand Slam win at the Australian Open 2008 she defeated her fellow country woman, Ana Ivanovic in the final.
Maria Sharapova had relied a great deal on her serve and angling ground strokes. Her serve was superior, often winning her free points. That being said, the critics have slammed her for being too limited in certain other areas
of the game. Her playing style certainly had limitations but she executed it well enough to take charge of big games.
In 2006 Sharapova experienced shoulder problem for the first time but recovered. In 2008 she accidently played with significant shoulder injury for three months as her doctor failed to notice that she had a torn rotator cuff. She
was advised not to return for next ten months following that incident. When she came back to the tour, the big Russian had changed her serve motion and struggled to execute the shot that had won her so many matches.
As it looks it may not be possible for the most talked about champion to recover her best form. In tennis if you are not at your best, you would never pose a threat to your opponents. Maria Sharapova who ruled the hard courts and
grass courts once now faces huge challenges ahead. It will not be very wrong to say that her best days are gone long ago. However, anyone who has looked into the eyes of that young girl, who was crowned Wimbledon title at the age of 17, knows that her career
is far from over.
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