TENNIS WIMBLEDON 2014 – 28th of June. M. Sharapova d. A . Riske 6-3, 6-0. An interview with Maria Sharapova
Q. Kind of a slight shock at the start, then cruised through the gears, nice relaxing couple of days off. What’s your assessment?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think it’s just one day off, not a couple. But, yeah, I didn’t want to get broken in the first game. But she started very solid, served very well. Besides that breakpoint that I lost on my serve, I didn’t face another one throughout the match, so I was quite pleased about that.
Yeah, overall I think she can be a dangerous player on grass, this surface, and has proved that before. Even though we played a long time ago, it was a three-set match. Going into this one I knew that I had to be there.
I thought I did a good job of maintaining my focus until the end.
Q. Were you aware that David Beckham was the only person in the Royal Box who saw virtually all of your match? Are you inspired by stars from other sports or whether you learn from them?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I respect so many athletes in different sports. I think we can all really relate to each other’s profession, even though all the sports are quite different in terms of the training. But at the end of the day the commitments and sacrifices in terms of being an athlete are similar.
I always feel like I really understand and actually get star struck more when I’m around athletes that have done incredible things in their career rather than maybe musicians or other professions.
Q. Would he be someone you’d be star struck by?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I’ve actually met him a couple times at different events in L.A. and in London. I’ve met him before.
Q. What is it like to chat with him like that?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, he’s a great guy. I mean, besides being an incredible football player, he has so much that he’s done in his career, having a family, maintaining so many things off the court. Really nice person to chat to.
We’re not best buddies or anything, but it’s nice to be able to say hello and congratulate each other on achievements we’ve had in our careers and so on.
Q. How difficult is trying to do the French Open/Wimbledon double?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, this is only my second time trying to do that. Of course, the transition, it’s no secret, it’s very difficult. But I’m quite happy with the way I’ve gone about things so far.
You never know what to expect. Each match poses its different challenges. I’m happy I’ve gone further than last year, erasing those memories and trying to form new ones.
Q. You spoke a moment ago about observing other athletes. One of the common dominators of course is rituals and superstitions. What are some of yours, if you had to pick the ones you’ve had during your career, that stand out the most in your routine?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I think it’s more of a routine rather than superstitions. I mean, I’ve been on the tour for so long. I’m experienced enough to know what works for me in terms of preparation and the way I go about things minutes before the match, hours before, nights before, whether it’s spending time with your team or having a chitchat right before with your coach as you go on.
I wouldn’t say they’re superstitions but more of rituals and routines that I’ve carried out, yeah, throughout many years.
Q. Are there other ones we could list that we see on the court and what they mean to you?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think I always take a few seconds in between the points and go back and kind of fiddle around with my strings. I think it’s always nice when you’re in front of thousands of people, whether you’re in a good moment or bad moment, to kind of gather your thoughts. That’s sort of something I’ve done for a really long time. I keep doing it, yeah.
Q. Is there one ultimate sports star you have met who made you star struck or one that you would like to meet?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I randomly met Michael Jordan at a private airport. I don’t even know why. I didn’t grow up watching so much basketball. I was like, Wow, that’s cool.
I don’t really know the reason, but I think of all his success on and off the court, it’s great to meet someone like that. He recognized me, which is pretty cool I thought back in the day.
Q. Were you jittery meeting him, palms sweating?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I do get quite shy. So, yeah, I might have been.
