By: Elena Scuro Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
With three Grand Slam titles to her name, numerous endorsement (such as Nike, TAG Heuer and Tiffany & Co.) and 6,225,482 Facebook fans (and counting), it’s hard not to know a lot about Maria Sharapova. She is one of the most famous, most searched for and richest athletes in the world, but each day it seems we learn more about the 24-year-old Russian.
Although she hasn’t won a Grand Slam in four years, Sharapova has made her way back to a Grand Slam final at this year’s Australian Open, the site of her last Slam win (in 2008). She’ll face Victoria Azarenka in a battle for the title and the WTA world no.1 ranking.
So what makes Maria tick? Here are some things we’ve learned about her during her time in Melbourne this year:
1. She preferred watching the men: When she was growing up in Florida, Sharapova said her parents would take her to tennis tournaments, such as the one in Miami in the Spring. However, she didn’t go to see the ladies. “I actually preferred going and seeing the men playing,” she said. “I remember loving going to Marcelo Rios' matches and having a good laugh, watching some fun tennis, Kafelnikov as well.”
2. Speaking with Sasha: The time difference is tough for Sharapova while she’s in Melbourne and her fiancé, Sasha Vujacic, is playing basketball in Turkey. But they make it work and are still able to chat “twice a day, morning and evening,” according to Sharapova. “It actually works out as good as it can. When I wake up, it's evening time there. Going to sleep, it's morning time here. It's as good as it can be,” she said.
3. Cool, calm and collected: After Marcos Baghdatis had his infamous racquet-breaking episode, Sharapova was asked if she had ever broken a racquet. She responded, “Personally I haven't broken too many in my career. Don't recall breaking one during a match. Have broken a couple at practice.”
4. Not bugging her: The bugs in Melbourne haven’t really bothered Sharapova. “I don't like spiders and all that stuff,” she said. “But I think they're staying away from center court, so I think I'll be okay.”
5. Her mentor: Sharapova said her mentor on the Tour was Mary Joe Fernandez. “I've known Mary Joe since I was young,” she said. The two would meet and talk about tennis. “It's very important when you're 14, 15, 16, going into that stage of being a professional,” she said.
6. Her idol: Growing up, one of Sharapova’s idols was Monica Seles. “I just loved her determination on court,” she said.
7. Afternoon snooze: During her off time at Slams, Sharapova said her days are pretty routine. “I usually do 30 minutes of shoulder work and exercises. Go back, take a nap, read my book, watch some tennis, do some treatment, have dinner, go to sleep.” Her favorite part of the day? “I enjoy my afternoon naps,” she said, smiling.
8. Book Club: Sharapova revealed during one of her interviews that she was currently reading George Orwell’s 1984. “It was never really given to me in my high school years so [I] decided that this is a good time,” she said. “My trainer actually picked it up for me. I have to be nice and read it.” Apparently, it was either that classic or a book by Haruki Murakami on running. “I was like, I don't think so,” she said. “I was like worst thing about running is reading a book about running.”
9. The highest point: Sharapova says the highest point of her career was when she won Wimbledon at age 17. “I never had expected that that would come to my career,” she said. “I was so naïve. I mean, I don't think at that point, when I had won Wimbledon, I understood what it meant. I thought it was just an incredible feeling, and it's Wimbledon, but I don't think I actually logically knew what I had done.” Years later and with the ups and downs, Sharapova recognizes that there could be another peak in her career. “If I do achieve, you know, a Grand Slam win, something on that level, there's no doubt that that will be another big moment in my career.”
10. Still in love: Despite being only 24 years old, Sharapova is considered a veteran of the Tour since she started at such a young age (she was 14). But her love for the sport hasn’t changed. “I love this sport as much as I loved it, you know, when I was at that age,” she said. “Every day I feel like I wake up and I go out, I feel like I can improve, and that makes me feel young. I feel like I still have a lot of energy and desire.”