[Maria Croft]

No wonder that Maria often doesn't seem to care when she answers when you've heard the same questions a million times before.

The grunt articles are also so ever predictable, especially during Wimbledon and the AO.

[18majors]

Maria on Facebook:

"Not my best tennis today, but glad to fight through!! These 17 year olds are playing some great tennis against me."

[atominside]

interview anyone?

[The Norwegian]

Originally Posted by atominside

interview anyone?

Interview? Oh yeah, I wanna see Maria whispering words of wisdom!

[lefty24]

It hasn't been released yet but there's a short video

[lylux]

Sharapova: 'Robson has great potential'

Some wins are served up on a plate, but when Maria Sharapova tasted 7-6(4), 6-3 victory over Britain's Laura Robson, she had to earn it. The 2004 champion - many observers' favourite for the title this year - was facing a player world ranked No.254, who only earned her maiden career Slam victory in the first round here this week. But after the match Sharapova, a notoriously tough competitor, was impressed by her opponent's refusal to cave in mentally.

"I thought she played really well," said Sharapova. "She started off really good, quite the opposite of me. She hit the ball deep, on the line many times, and was serving really well. I found myself on the defence just retrieving."

Robson, junior champion here three years ago, said before the match she had dreamed of playing Sharapova or one of the Williams sisters on a Wimbledon show court for years. No doubt in her dream the end result was somewhat different, but it is difficult to imagine the dream featured her in more gamely competitive mode. Far from being overawed by the occasion or the stage, she engaged with both - and for a long time in the first set the results were enthralling. But Sharapova made the point that while competitive innocence has its uses, experience is never anything less than a further weapon in the armoury.

"She has great potential," affirmed Sharapova, before adding cautiously: "I think for everyone it's a really long road. There will be many tournaments, many losses, many wins. It will be important to learn from all those situations. It's great, and important, to play in front of thousands of people, and with the support of a British crowd. But as you develop your game it's just as important to play the lower tournaments, where there are fewer people watching and you win in the third set. She'll get that experience behind her back and she'll be a better player. Experience is priceless."

Good point, well made. This match was patently several classes beyond anything Robson had previously encountered, her best previous career win coming over the world No.55 Anastasija Sevastova last autumn. Besides, Sharapova knew better than to under-estimate a huge underdog playing in front of her home crowd.

"The match was absolutely not tougher than I expected," said the Russian. "I expected her to play really well. I don't think she had anything to lose and that brings out the best in someone."

The Russian also struck an interesting footnote about the debate involving the theoretically unfair scheduling of some women's matches outside Centre and No.1 Courts.

"I have no problem with playing on Court Two or Three," declared Sharapova robustly. "They're pretty big courts. I believe I played on Court Two in my first round last year. It gave me that vibe, like one of my favourite courts which is at Roland Garros. It's that second court, as well. I think it's a great feeling inside, similar to Court Two [here]. Maybe it's a little longer walk, but it's a good warm-up."

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/...916974687.html

[Vodkapova]

I like reading what she has to say.

[Vodkapova]

Pointless but interesting semi-artcile from Wimbledon. Rock-paper-scissors.

Who gets to walk with Maria?

There are 590 security guards employed during the Championships, a small number of them given the sought-after "task" of escorting players safely through the crowds to and from their court.

To ensure fairness within that elite group as to who gets to accompany their favourite players (a walk alongside Maria Sharapova is deemed the top gig for the male security guards, while the now-departed Andy Roddick had the female guards' vote), those on the duty roster rely on the playground game of Scissors, Paper, Rock.

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/...934857676.html

[lleytnkim]

Long article on Sasha and Maria's relationship.

A Fan, a Fiancé, a Fellow Athlete By KAREN CROUSE

Published: June 28, 2011

WIMBLEDON, England — Watching Maria Sharapova’s power and precision, the Centre Court crowd at Wimbledon fell into an awed silence Tuesday, one that was broken before or after some points by the clapping of one person. Without a word, Sasha Vujacic was communicating everything his fiancée, Sharapova, needed to hear during her 6-1, 6-1 quarterfinal victory against Dominika Cibulkova.

Sharapova and Vujacic have a telepathy usually seen in old, married couples, never mind that they have yet to set a wedding date. If anyone can understand the loneliness and loveliness of the sporting life, it is Vujacic. As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, he performed in pressure-filled games in front of large and often hostile crowds and won two N.B.A. championships.

Full article at.....
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/29/sp...-a-couple.html

[MM_1257]

From the NY time article:

“You just spoke a foreign language to me,” said Sharapova, who is fluent in Russian and English, and conversant in French. “I can speak N.B.A. I can’t speak anything else.”

French?

ow are they different? “I think he likes to practice more than I do,” she said, laughing, then added: “He just loves his sport so much. I mean, he slept with his first pair of basketball shoes. I certainly never slept with mine.” With a sparkle in her eyes, Sharapova said, “I slept with a pair of high heels.”

[batman1]

Great tennis matches and tennis tips for free : *****************************
Check this great predictions!

[Vodkapova]

New York Times always has really nice articles to read. All of the Maria articles they wrote in the past few months have been very interesting.

[gc-spurs]

Once the session was over, Sharapova collected her racket bag and her fiancé, and they left the court side by side. On days of her matches, Vujacic walks a few paces behind her, exchanging smiles and hellos and handshakes with players, trainers, coaches — anybody who crosses his path, it seems — while Sharapova moves as if wearing blinders.

Awesome to see that she's the same old gal.
Dunno if its Hoggy or if it's She-She, but I'm loving how this posse is going.

[Marilyn Monheaux]

Endorsed by ATP player Tomas Berdych and WTA star Maria Sharapova, the Youtek IG Instinct MP is a great option for the intermediate through advanced level player. Possessing a very comfortable feel, the racquet provides a level of stability and solidness that belies its light, 10.9 ounce strung weight, and separates it from previous versions of the Instinct. From the baseline there is a useful amount of power to help players put some added zing on shots. The open string pattern provides ample bite for hitting with both topspin and slice, leaving the player free to be creative with shot selection and variety. The solid and stable feel continues at net, making this a great option for the attacking singles player as well as the frequent doubles player. All in all, this versatile racquet is a great option for the player looking for spin, maneuverability, power and comfort.

Now available for pre-sale.


Head Size:
100 sq. in. / 645.16 sq. cm.
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight: 10.9oz / 309.01g
Balance: 5 pts HL
Swingweight: 303
Stiffness: 69
Beam Width: 23mm / 25mm / 24mm /
Composition: d3o / Innegra / Graphite
Power Level: Low-Medium
Stroke Style: Medium-Full
Swing Speed: Medium-Fast
Racquet Colors:
Blue / Grey
Grip Type: Hydrosorb Tour
String Pattern:
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
Mains skip: None
Two Pieces
Shared Holes: 7T, 8T, 8T, 8H
String Tension: 48-57 pounds

For those who care.

[Maria Croft]

Thanks for posting, how much is it though?