Maria Sharapova : The next Monica Seles

Maria Sharapova (MS) is a teenage tennis-phenomenon with the potential to be the best in the world. Her on-court presence is reminiscent of Legendary Tennis Great Monica Seles (MS), with her powerful, early groundstrokes, her extreme on-court intensity, focus, determination and fearlessness, and yes - her grunting! Off court she is one of the most charming and charismatic lady.

Will Maria follow the fabled footsteps of Monica Seles?-- who is considered by many as the greatest achiever in women's tennis history comparable only to Tennis Legend Maureen Connolly.

Monica beat the best player at that time (Steffi Graf) to win her first GS Tournament in 1990 at age 16...lost the 1990 US Open but went on to win the 1990 YEC.

By 1991, The Seles Express was in full speed as she went on to single handedly dominate women's tennis taking over the number one ranking and winning all 4 of the biggest tournaments she chose to enter ( 1991 Australian, 1991 French, 1991 US Open, and 1991 Year End Championships). Seles skipped the 1991 Wimbledon. And from the point on she never looked back.

Maria beat the best player in the game (Serena Williams) to win her first GS Tournament in 2004 at age 17. Maria lost at the 2004 US Open but went on to in the 2004 YEC.

Sharapova's breakout season didn't surprise Tracy Austin.

"It was a question of when, not if," she says. "She just has that mentality and intensity. I haven't seen anyone come up that intense since Monica Seles. That sets you apart. There is no letup. She doesn't allow herself to lose focus. She's pounding her fist and slapping her thigh at 2-1 in the first set. She wants it so badly. She also has the goods. There aren't any weaknesses in her game."


Has the Sharapova Era finally begun? Looking out for number one in 2005?

:rolleyes:

:rolleyes:

Excerpts from an article by famed Sports Journalist John Barrett...

Maria’s world is one that few mortals are privileged to experience, a state of nirvana where time slows down and all things seem possible. Sportsmen describe the sensation as being “in the zone”.

There are only two other young women in tennis history who inhabited Maria’s world: Maureen Connolly and Monica Seles. Connolly won the first of her three US Championships in 1951 when she was a few days short of her 17th birthday. From that moment the young American became invincible. Connolly lost only four more tennis matches before a riding accident in 1954 ended her career. In the meantime she had added two more US titles, three at Wimbledon, two French crowns and one in Australia in 1953, the year that she completed the first female grand slam. With Connolly, the moment her head began to bob as she strode purposefully about the court, you knew that her opponent had no chance.

Seles was also 16 when she became the youngest French Open champion in 1990 with a 7-6 6-4 win over then world number one Steffi Graf. A totally focused teenager, full of sound and fury, Seles defied the laws of physics as she blasted the ball with those double-handed forehands and backhands that seemed to be guided to the lines by radar. From January 1990 Seles won eight of the next nine grand slams she entered, beaten only by Graf in the Wimbledon final of 1992. She, too, had developed an aura of invincibility, cut short by the fateful stabbing by a deranged fan on 30 April 1993 in Hamburg. She recovered but was never the same player.

Like Seles and Connolly, Sharapova constructs her rallies like moves on a chessboard. A succession of drives would open up the gap and then bang, checkmate, as the ball was fired into the gap for another winner.

Whether Sharapova will be able to maintain the power in future grand slams remains to be seen. With a determination to improve, she is likely to add the missing pieces to her game - volleys, drop shots, a sliced backhand and perhaps greater court speed. “I still have to get stronger, I still have to develop a lot physically,” she admitted.

She's still young, so she can still improve a lot; that's 1 thing that's for sure. She already beats top players, she collects top titles... Within a year or two, we'll probably we able to see if she indeed is the next Seles, or the next dominating player.

She's still young, so she can still improve a lot; that's 1 thing that's for sure. She already beats top players, she collects top titles... Within a year or two, we'll probably we able to see if she indeed is the next Seles, or the next dominating player.


Maria Sharapova is the only player this year to have won 2 of the 5 biggest events in women's tennis this year. Just as Monica Seles won 2 of the 5 biggest events in women's tennis in 1990.

Maria has won a total 5 titles this year and is currently ranked number 4 in the world and climbing.......

Just as Monica Seles won 2 of the biggest events in 1990
monica won 3 in '90 - french open, lipton and yec

there are some same things, but Maria is way to agressive on court, and too self-centered, and Monica was never like that, you can see it in there eyes and facial expressions. But i really hope Maria can get to no.1 cause she is a fighter, and that's one of the things Monica has as well

How about the First Maria, not the next Monica. ;)

How about the First Maria, not the next Monica. ;)

Maybe if she can already come close to what Monica had accomplished at age 19... ;)

But I'm sure Maria is the player most likely to join the elite list of the greatest ever... :)

Maria Sharapova (MS) is a teenage tennis-phenomenon with the potential to be the best in the world. Her on-court presence is reminiscent of Legendary Tennis Great Monica Seles (MS), with her powerful, early groundstrokes, her extreme on-court intensity, focus, determination and fearlessness, and yes - her grunting! Off court she is one of the most charming and charismatic lady.

Will Maria follow the fabled footsteps of Monica Seles?-- who is considered by many as the greatest achiever in women's tennis history comparable only to Tennis Legend Maureen Connolly.

Monica beat the best player at that time (Steffi Graf) to win her first GS Tournament in 1990 at age 16...lost the 1990 US Open but went on to win the 1990 YEC.

By 1991, The Seles Express was in full speed as she went on to single handedly dominate women's tennis taking over the number one ranking and winning all 4 of the biggest tournaments she chose to enter ( 1991 Australian, 1991 French, 1991 US Open, and 1991 Year End Championships). Seles skipped the 1991 Wimbledon. And from the point on she never looked back.

Maria beat the best player in the game (Serena Williams) to win her first GS Tournament in 2004 at age 17. Maria lost at the 2004 US Open but went on to in the 2004 YEC.

Sharapova's breakout season didn't surprise Tracy Austin.

"It was a question of when, not if," she says. "She just has that mentality and intensity. I haven't seen anyone come up that intense since Monica Seles. That sets you apart. There is no letup. She doesn't allow herself to lose focus. She's pounding her fist and slapping her thigh at 2-1 in the first set. She wants it so badly. She also has the goods. There aren't any weaknesses in her game."


Has the Sharapova Era finally begun? Looking out for number one in 2005?



No weaknesses in Sharapova's game? Tracy, you've got to be kidding.

Perhaps that is why it was not Monica Seles (instead of Serena Williams) battling Sharapova for the YEC last night. You know what Tracy and others used to say about Monica as well. Yup, no weaknesses in her game also. Funny, for someone with no weaknesses, physical, mental, or technical, look where she was just a few months ago, attempting a comeback in the Team Tennis league, losing passively to players at the Challenger level. Now, that she does have in common with the Maria of '04.

By the way, the only thing Seles has in common with Maureen is that both won their first major event at a young age. But, when you think of it so did Hingis, Steffi, and Serena. Of these women, the two who have the most in common with Maureen are Steffi and Serena. Both have won all four major events consecutively. (Seles may have skipped Wimbledon in '91, but she did no better the following year, or in any year since.) Of the two, Steffi and Serena, Steffi ultimately has the most in common with Maureen. Along with Margaret Court, Steffi and Maureen are the only women ever to win all four major events in the same calendar year, the so-called Grand Slam of Tennis.

However, I must say it is good to hear that Tracy thinks Sharapova has no "weaknesses." It means to me that Sharapova's days are numbered.

No weaknesses in Sharapova's game? Tracy, you've got to be kidding.

Perhaps that is why it was not Monica Seles (instead of Serena Williams) battling Sharapova for the YEC last night. You know what Tracy and others used to say about Monica as well. Yup, no weaknesses in her game also. Funny, for someone with no weaknesses, physical, mental, or technical, look where she was just a few months ago, attempting a comeback in the Team Tennis league, losing passively to players at the Challenger level. Now, that she does have in common with the Maria of '04.

By the way, the only thing Seles has in common with Maureen is that both won their first major event at a young age. But, when you think of it so did Hingis, Steffi, and Serena. Of these women, the two who have the most in common with Maureen are Steffi and Serena. Both have won all four major events consecutively. (Seles may have skipped Wimbledon in '91, but she did no better the following year, or in any year since.) Of the two, Steffi and Serena, Steffi ultimately has the most in common with Maureen. Along with Margaret Court, Steffi and Maureen are the only women ever to win all four major events in the same calendar year, the so-called Grand Slam of Tennis.

However, I must say it is good to hear that Tracy thinks Sharapova has no "weaknesses." It means to me that Sharapova's days are numbered.:worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship:

No weaknesses in Sharapova's game? Tracy, you've got to be kidding.

Perhaps that is why it was not Monica Seles (instead of Serena Williams) battling Sharapova for the YEC last night. You know what Tracy and others used to say about Monica as well. Yup, no weaknesses in her game also. Funny, for someone with no weaknesses, physical, mental, or technical, look where she was just a few months ago, attempting a comeback in the Team Tennis league, losing passively to players at the Challenger level. Now, that she does have in common with the Maria of '04.

By the way, the only thing Seles has in common with Maureen is that both won their first major event at a young age. But, when you think of it so did Hingis, Steffi, and Serena. Of these women, the two who have the most in common with Maureen are Steffi and Serena. Both have won all four major events consecutively. (Seles may have skipped Wimbledon in '91, but she did no better the following year, or in any year since.) Of the two, Steffi and Serena, Steffi ultimately has the most in common with Maureen. Along with Margaret Court, Steffi and Maureen are the only women ever to win all four major events in the same calendar year, the so-called Grand Slam of Tennis.

However, I must say it is good to hear that Tracy thinks Sharapova has no "weaknesses." It means to me that Sharapova's days are numbered.


Interesting....AGAIN!! Curious to see how Maria develops from here indeed.

I'm sorry, but Sharapova is nothing like Seles.

she will never be as good as monica

I don't think that the thing is that Maria is like Seles, how they play, but how their careers are alike. In her second full year on the tour, Monica won one slam followed by the YEC. On maria secojnd full year, she won a slam and then the YEC. Monica third year the year was all about the Seles, i wonder if Maria can do it too. :worship:

Another interesting thing is i did not know that Maria had the best record of all the russians coming into the YEC :bounce:

Excerpts from an article by famed Sports Journalist John Barrett...

Maria’s world is one that few mortals are privileged to experience, a state of nirvana where time slows down and all things seem possible. Sportsmen describe the sensation as being “in the zone”.


I swear I haven't read this level of bullshit in a very long time, this stands up, even in wtaworld, state of Nirvana??? now Maria is what Budah?

I like Maria but this is going too far.

I swear I haven't read this level of bullshit in a very long time, this stands up, even in wtaworld, state of Nirvana??? now Maria is what Budah?

I like Maria but this is going too far.
Yeah - Maria's world is "a state of Nirvana" where only the privileged can enter?:eek: Now THAT'S hype!:lol:

i hope she wont get stabbed though

Seems it is only a comparison between the two, nothing to get all up in arms over.

Monica Seles is the best female player I've ever seen play the game.
Before her tragic circumstances, she ruled the game.

While I'm thrilled to see Maria's success and her game, I think she still has a way to go before she is at Monica's level of play prior to the attack.

But she's not far from it. Oh, this is gonna be very exciting to watch, I can't wait til next season.

No weaknesses in Sharapova's game? Tracy, you've got to be kidding.

Along with Margaret Court, Steffi and Maureen are the only women ever to win all four major events in the same calendar year, the so-called Grand Slam of Tennis.

However, I must say it is good to hear that Tracy thinks Sharapova has no "weaknesses." It means to me that Sharapova's days are numbered.

Kind of like Maureen Connollly in the early 1950s ... but Connolly lost her #1 ranking and her dominance to a horseback riding injury while Graf lost her #1 ranking to a young teenage girl named Monica Seles ... UNTIL one of her fans stabbed Seles in the back with a knife, that is.

:rolleyes:

:lol: @ Misty grey too.......HOLD MY MULE LAWD!!! I'm not going to even respond to the topic so I will just do what ya'll did :rolleyes: !! LOL

:lol: @ Misty grey too.......HOLD MY MULE LAWD!!! I'm not going to even respond to the topic so I will just do what ya'll did :rolleyes: !! LOL

me too :rolleyes: :lol:

We'll see.

I was thinking of a comparions with winning her first grandslam then winning the world championships.There are a lot of similarities within game and on court personna!

She REALLY needs to lose her Dad and find a personality of her own.

And there will only ever be one Seles.

good comparing i like it ....hope MAsha will do her best in Tennis like Seles..

I'm sorry, but Sharapova is nothing like Seles.

No, she's not...at 17, however, she's accomplished a lot so far.

anna is going to return!

So...

"I'm not the next anyone, I'm the first Maria Sharapova."

:oh:

What kind of amateur ass journalism :o

I don't quite agree. Monica was an intelligent, thoughtful woman.

What kind of amateur ass journalism :o:lol:

I see the parallels. *sarcasm* Mediocre tennis player whose mediocrity was cut temporarily short by a shoulder injury long cured, but forever valid as an excuse for the same mediocrity since renewed, that was present before said injury. Oh wait... :scratch:

You did NOT just call Monica Seles "mediocre" ch......

You did NOT just call Monica Seles "mediocre" ch......

Sarcasm :p And I even further rebuked it at the end :hysteric:

Sarcasm :p And I even further rebuked it at the end :hysteric:

:lol: I was about to say WTF is going on today :cool:

I see the parallels. *sarcasm* Mediocre tennis player whose mediocrity was cut temporarily short by a shoulder injury long cured, but forever valid as an excuse for the same mediocrity since renewed, that was present before said injury. Oh wait... :scratch:

Anybody with a GRAIN of SENSE, no Maria is not a Seles, and if Seles wasn't stabbed, Graf would not have won that many slams. You seem to forget that Seles was not stabbed for a lover's quarrel, an attempted rape, a robbery, she was stabbed for THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING GRAF TO ADVANCE IN THE SLAMS AND TO THE #1..

This is FACT, IT IS HISTORY..

Your smack talking can stand up to those FACTS.. No way hoozay!!:angel:

Wow. Talk about an EPIC bump!!! How did you reach back so far and find this one?