Maria Sharapova has said she is going through ‘a very different chapter’ in her career after being knocked out of the US Open on Monday.
Sharapova, who last won the tournament back in 2006, could only claim two games during her comprehensive 6-1, 6-1, loss to Serena Williams. Her heaviest defeat in terms of games won since returning to the spot in 2017 following a 15-month drugs ban. In total the Russian hit only six winners compared to 20 unforced errors as she lost all ten points behind her second serve.
The loss comes during what has been an injury-stricken 2019 season for Sharapova, who missed four months of the tour due to a shoulder injury. Her match against Williams was only the 15th of the season.
“Just getting the routines back and being back in the draws is, you know, it’s tough to talk about after a defeat, but it’s a long road.” Sharapova said during her press conference.
“It’s facing an opponent that’s at her stature is extremely difficult in the first round of a slam, coming in with the fact that I haven’t played that much.”
It has been almost two years since the 32-year-old last won a title on the WTA Tour. She is currently ranked 87th in the world, but is likely to fall down further following her early exit. It is the first time in 13 appearances Sharapova has lost her opening match at the US Open.
Despite her recent struggles, the Russian has vowed to keep going on the tour. Dismissing any suggestion that she could be retiring in the near future.
“This is a very different chapter in my career.” She explained.
“It’s not an easy road. It’s never been. But I went through a shoulder procedure about four months ago. To find myself playing at a night match at the US Open with people excited about the matchup, it’s a pretty big deal. I’m fortunate to be a part of that.’
“It’s easy to be discouraged after a match like this. But if I’m personally discouraged, I wake up tomorrow, I don’t feel like I want to go out, train, be better, that’s more discouraging than the result.”
It is still up in the air who will be coaching Sharapova in the coming months. She had recently sought help from Italian mentor Riccardo Piatti, who once worked alongside Novak Djokovic. However, that partnership was only a short-term agreement.
“I really enjoyed the work.I like his perspective. I like the simplicity. I think that’s something that maybe I needed or was lacking.” She said of Piatti.
“We haven’t made any future plans, but I have liked the work so far.”
Sharapova now trails Williams 2-20 in their head-to-head and hasn’t beaten her since the 2004 WTA Finals.
