TENNIS AUSTRALIAN OPEN – 29th of January 2015. M.Sharapova d. E.Makarova 6-3, 6-2. An interview with Maria Sharapova
AO2015: Interviews, Results, Order of Play, Draws
Q. Two Grand Slam finals in under 12 months. How does that feel for you?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I don’t actually look at it that way. I treat each one as if I haven’t gotten to a final. That’s usually the mindset I have, the hunger I try to get when I go out on the court. But, yeah, I’m definitely proud that I’m able to get to that stage again.
Q. The way you played, especially in the last couple rounds, does that give you a lot of confidence going into the final?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I’m definitely happy. Like today, I thought I played solid. I did everything I had to do. I wasn’t afraid for it to become a physical match. You know, I think it was important to really stand my ground in the first few games, which I did well, even though I was behind, especially the first and second one. But, yeah, those key moments are really important. Yeah, definitely happy I was able to win really solid today.
Q. You’re going to be playing someone who is either a bit sick or a bit injured. How do you feel?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I feel good, thank you (smiling).
Q. Once you reach the final of a Grand Slam, do you change your preparations at all because it is a final or do you tend to stick to the same routines?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I usually stick to the same routines. The only difference is it’s only one more to go. You’re not saving yourself for anything else. You don’t have six more or seven more. You know that that’s the last one. You have to give it everything you have until the last point.
Q. Do you get that extra bit of nerves when it is a Grand Slam final?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, of course. I think everyone does. It’s such a special moment. I think everyone works endless hours to get to that position. I think we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t feel extra nerves.
Q. And extra excitement?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, of course. I think nerves equals excitement in a certain way because you know something pretty big is ahead of you.
Q. How do you deal with the nerves? Sit in a room with music? Go for a walk? Have a bath? How do you deal with the nerves and try and get your mind right?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Sit at a bar?
Q. A bath.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: That’s a good option. I never tried that option (laughter). No, yeah, usually it depends how I’m feeling. But I don’t listen to music. I don’t take a bath. None of those. I usually spend some time with my team and we talk about pretty much everything, the match, how we’re feeling, things like that. But I think it’s just how you see it and how you turn it around in your mind and see it as an opportunity. It’s very easy to get discouraged by a big stage and by a big moment. But actually that’s what you work for. That’s what you want to get to, so…
Q. Do you actually dream about the match?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don’t dream too much of tennis, thankfully.
Q. Looks like we’re going to be seeing a bit more of Madison Keys. How do you rate her?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: She’s had a tremendous tournament. Someone that has been a great player for many years. A very powerful player on both wings, especially the serve. You know, she’s someone that I’ve watched for a few years now kind of rising up the rankings. And, yeah, I think this is her real breakthrough. The potential she has is tremendous.
Q. When you go to the back of the court and get back in the zone, is it the same thing you say to yourself each time? Staying positive, you can do it? Or is it specific to advice you get given about moving forward? Is it actually specific to the players, coaching information, their serve?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: You just made it much more complicated than it is (laughter). Tennis is such an individual, point after point you can have so many different momentum changes. I think, you know, you’re always in a rush to do something else, to either keep going. I think for me it’s just a moment of just within myself whether I need to say something encouraging, whether I need to feel that I’m telling myself to keep that focus or regain the focus or change something around. It’s just a few seconds. I’ve done it for a really long time. It helps me and I like doing it.
Q. What, if anything, do you remember of that 2005 semifinal here with Serena? It was such a back-and-forth battle between you guys.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It was. I don’t actually remember too much of it. It was a very physical battle. It was tough to lose that one. Definitely had a lot of chances. But, yeah, it was a really tough one to lose.
