The cameras just would not stop. Maria Sharapova sashayed her way in and out of the select gathering with the confidence and elegance she brings to the court. The season has been special for her since her breakthrough year of 2004, when she wooed the world by winning Wimbledon at the age of 17; her maturity looks bewitching and threatening as she looks for another consistent year on the circuit.
On her first visit to India, she is welcoming and curious; eager to explore the country in the 24 hours she has had. The constant bustle of the city had been infectious and the 25-year-old Russian, who arrived here on Saturday night, is thrilled to make it a “great Indian experience”.
“It is amazing that it has taken me so long to come to India,” smiled World No 2 and London Olympics silver medal winner Sharapova , who was here for a promotional event. “I had a dosa for breakfast. I was asking the chef what I should have because I really want to have the great Indian experience so I want to try out all the great food. It is nice to come to a place bustling with energy.”
As the tour's bonniest fighter, Sharapova has shown incredible guts to recapture her place on the top of the pack. A shoulder injury threatened to end her flourishing career but she defied the probabilities and most importantly the mental demons, completing a career Grand Slam by winning the 2012 French Open and recapturing the World No 1 ranking , albeit briefly.
“I was only 21 when I had a shoulder surgery which is very unusual for a tennis player, and not many people come back from that. It was very emotional and difficult the time away from the sport when I was not even able to pick up the racquet,” she recalled.
The French Open title was the reassurance of the talent and it was no surprise when she called it the most “memorable” moment in her career.
Her on-court rivalries with Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka had added to the flavour of the women’s circuit and Sharapova called it a good thing for the sport. “Rivalries are very important for the sport,” she said.
Sharapova may have played Sania Mirza way back in 2005 but she complimented her for success in the doubles. “Her talent is incredible and she is a very big competitor.”
Sharapova predicted fewer teenaged Grand Slam Champion in the future. “You have not seen very young champions in Grand Slams in a very long time and that is also because I think the sport has become very physical. I don’t think we will be seeing Grand Slam champions that are teenagers. But they are certainly working their way towards that.”
