Sharapova's aftermatch behavior? In a word "Stank"?

Question

“I can’t please everyone,” she said. “It’s not in my job description. I’m an athlete, and I go out there and fight my heart out. They paid the ticket to watch me, so they must appreciate me on some level, right?”

Miss thing is definitely smelling herself. Now will the media jump on her like they did Serena last year when she lost to Justine?

Answer 1

Am I missing something? I do not see anything in those statements to be offended about. She's not bad mouthing her rival or cutting down her rival's achievement. She's simply stating what exactly it is she does for a living. Is there something wrong with saying that you "fight your heart out"?

In other words,she's admitting that she really fought hard and lost  anyway so that today,Safina was the better player.

Last year Serena said words to the effect that Justine had only been able to beat her because she Serena "had a bad day" . That is a poor sport way of conceding victory to your opponent. The press and everybody else was disgusted with Serena and rightly so. I think she has learned a bit since then because she hasn't been so ungracious since then.

(as far as I know from my experience,Venus,her sister, is always a good sport and gracious in victory and defeat)

Answer 2

Sharapova simply "choked"!  Credit to Safina for her comeback, but Maria, essentially, gave the match away....serving match point at 7-6, 5-3, 40-30!  Again, Safina still weathered the storm!

Maria's well aware of how she "choked" but the post-match media just pours salt in the wound!

I don't blame her for responding defensively when asked about the crowd's negative reaction!

As far as her grunting, I can't help but notice it's becoming a habit of many players both men & women!  So, NO BIG DEAL!

Serena's problem is pure EGO!  Her reputation is that of a poor-sport when she doesn't win and doesn't credit her opponent....even when her opponent is the No. 1 player in the world and has beaten her handily several times!

Although, I MUST admit, I quite admired her attitude LAST WEEK when she lost!  Serena was the most gracious as I've ever seen her!  She seemed to have a sincere smile when shaking hands at the net, instead of a "begrudging" one. Maybe she's learned!

I think Sharapova needs to do some serious thinking as to her mental focus in high pressure matches, her double faults are a true testament to that!

Answer 3

Can a French crowd get ugly? You bet they can. Do they have a right to? When Serena or Venus or Maria are on a court they most certainly do. Screaming or loud, obnoxious grunting is nothing more than gamesmanship and cheating and I would jeer and boo that sort of behaviour on the tennis court also. I don't care how talented, athletic or beautiful a competitor is. Loud grunting or screaming when you hit the ball is a deliberate hindrance and a player should be penalized for doing it!

Having to listen to a crowd boo or jeer you after a tough loss is difficult for ANY athlete. Having perfect behaviour after such a defeat when you are ranked number 1 and favored to win is tough to do. But when you cheat repeatedly during a match, especially in front of the French, you deserve what you get.

Answer 4

Maria may have shown a lot of disappointment and anger in the moment as she left the court today, but mostly she was just reacting to the boos she was getting from the crowd.  I would have left the court abruptly without waving to the crowd too if they were already booing me right after the match ended, it was a hostile environment.  The difference between her and Serena is that Maria never fails to give credit to her opponent after a loss.  And she's always there for the whole post-match press conference, answering all the reporters questions with patience and composure, unlike Serena, who has been known to walk out early from these interviews or just sit there with a dejected look on her face making excuses for why she lost, rarely if ever acknowledging the play of her opponents, or downplaying them like she did with Henin after she beat Serena at the U.S. Open last year, merely saying that Henin hit some lucky shots.  Maria has always shown a lot more class than Serena.

Answer 5

I always miss the drama! I can't really comment on the question because I didn't see the match or the press conference, but it ticks me off that I ALWAYS miss the drama!

Answer 6

Well, I am no where near a fan of Sharapovas, but I don't find anything stankish or bad about this comment.... Serena and Sharapova are both overexposed too much, I wish they would focus more on other players. Sharapova's comments were and are never as arrogant or impratical as Serena's. Which is why Serena is alway being bad mouthed.

Answer 7

i agree with you k.h, it suck when yo miss things!!!

i missed it too, so i can't elaborate on my answer.-

Answer 8

Sharapova is a real trial.

I put it down to bad potty training and too much time in her dad (bulldog, cheat) company.

She is always offensive with the interviewers because they can pull her down so easily. She has made a lot of ghastly mistakes off court.

Honestly I don't know why she is so prickly after all she was the 'darling of the court' when she first arrived on the scene.

Any damage she and her father have done to themselves.

And 'dear god' that orgasmic scream 'after' she has hit the ball. I have to turn the mute on.

Answer 9

Sharapova's image has been carefully crafted for the English-speaking media and I don't think she's done enough (yet) to hurt her it...She just better watch herself in front of the British media.

The key word in your question about Serena was "lost."  In my memory, Serena has never "lost" a match in her own opinion, she simply didn't win because she "didn't bring her 'A' game."  When she lost to Hantuchova, I believe her comment was "a guy with one leg could have beaten me today."

This kind of attitude, over the course of several years, tends to grate on the media and that was reflected after the Henin match.  I think Serena is a victim of this because she brings this upon herself.  Her sister made similar comments earlier in her career, but has developed a greater sense of maturity and grace in recent years.

Connors and Agassi also had the same attitudes in their younger days and were equally made targets because of it.  Agassi won over the British tabloids when he burst into tears after winning Wimbledon...Venus got her ovation because, when she jumped for joy with the silver plate, there was no arrogance there...people could see her genuine happiness.  

History is full of "fan-favorites" and "sullen-stars."  The book has yet to be written on Sharapova, but Serena's been around long enough to either mature or accept her legacy.

Answer 10

I'm sorry I'm not getting your point. She was defending herself against the jeering crowd. What's wrong with that? You should know how riley the French crowds can get, being a Serena fan and all. In my mind, it doesn't matter how much I like or dislike a player, I hate the French crowds infinitely more.

Answer 11

I never really liked Sharapova and her attitude sometimes. I agree the crowds can be a bit alarming and uncalled for, but it was coming for her. Screaming once in a while is fine. I actually find it interesting because it seems the player gets more momentum the louder they get and somehow find a way to win, but in her case, the screaming got louder and she lost and the screaming annoyed the crowds.