[CareerSlamPova]

2010 by far. No Slam QFs, titles at MMs and a first round slam exit.

[pov]

Originally Posted by Long and Hard

Completely agree. Even though she had a fantastic clay season she got too many beatdowns this year form her main rivals.

Yeah but all (I think) of those beatdowns were in finals.

[Mr.Sharapova]

Originally Posted by pov

Yeah but all (I think) of those beatdowns were in finals.

That's what hurts more I would rather have her get beaten in the semifinal or something rather than in the final .

[Asherahpova]

Honestly when you look at her results and how poorly she's played to get them in a lot of tournaments it gives great reason to be excited. It might take another 2 years before Maria is a pre-surgery levels but it's not as if she's not putting in the work. It was always going to be a long road and I think this season and last season were great transition years to stabalise her game and get some controlled aggression back. I just hope next year the improvements are as big as they were this past two years.

[Cosmic Voices]

Originally Posted by jameshazza

Honestly when you look at her results and how poorly she's played to get them in a lot of tournaments it gives great reason to be excited. It might take another 2 years before Maria is a pre-surgery levels but it's not as if she's not putting in the work. It was always going to be a long road and I think this season and last season were great transition years to stabalise her game and get some controlled aggression back. I just hope next year the improvements are as big as they were this past two years.

perfect term to describe her progression

[Stonerpova]

Totally agree with Ogi. Despite this being one of her best seasons she still has so much room for improvement, especially on non-clay surfaces.

[Fighterpova]

2010 for sure. Horrible results at Slams, lots of early exits at important events, losing 3 straight finals, only winning 2 MMs.

However, no matter how inconsistent she was in 2010, she was able to challenge the best and didn't have a single beatdown all season

To be honest, I'd rather have her losing close matches than getting beatdowns in every non clay final she plays

[SilverSlam]

2008 for sure. Anytime when she's playing and she's healthy is a good year.

When she has to have surgery because she can no longer play without pain, is a bad year, results don't matter. It's all about her being okay and doing what she loves pain free.

[denny5576]

if we follow your logic Maria never had even one good year!

[nelsondan]

I am tempted to have a poll....in what year did maria's body look the best...(cannot think of a worst year )...maybe someone else would like to run with that idea....my choice would be 2012. And...

"I don't carry it (sugarpova) with me because then it just becomes too dangerous. I've got vacation in a month or so, and I need to‑‑ you know, I'm going to be wearing bikinis, so I can't be eating candy before. I need to be bikini‑ready."

I have a feeling she will be ready.

[Stonerpova]

Originally Posted by HipsterPova

2008 for sure. Anytime when she's playing and she's healthy is a good year.

When she has to have surgery because she can no longer play without pain, is a bad year, results don't matter. It's all about her being okay and doing what she loves pain free.

2008 was the best it ever was for her though, tennis-wise. It's obviously heartbreaking when you think about the player she was maturing into, but we got a glimpse of Peak Pova during that time. I mean I totally see where you're coming from, but I'll take a GOAT slam win and an injury over back to back losses to KDK and Vesnina any day

[PimpMePova]

Originally Posted by Griffin.

2008 was the best it ever was for her though, tennis-wise. It's obviously heartbreaking when you think about the player she was maturing into, but we got a glimpse of Peak Pova during that time. I mean I totally see where you're coming from, but I'll take a GOAT slam win and an injury over back to back losses to KDK and Vesnina any day

It really makes me wonder what could have happened and what she might have achieved had that shoulder problem not occured...it makes me sad when I begin to think about it as it probably would have been so much more than this

[Joelina]

Originally Posted by Yoana R.

It really makes me wonder what could have happened and what she might have achieved had that shoulder problem not occured...it makes me sad when I begin to think about it as it probably would have been so much more than this

we will never find out now, but i don´t think she would have won FO even without that shoulder problems and surgery, maybe this was just meant to be and her career was blessed with career slam which i would take anyday rather than having 5 or 6 slams except FO

[Mexicola]

Originally Posted by Yoana R.

It really makes me wonder what could have happened and what she might have achieved had that shoulder problem not occured...it makes me sad when I begin to think about it as it probably would have been so much more than this

I understand wondering what could have been with Maria, concerning the shoulder injury. But most of the top players can play the "What if" question, so it's not like Maria is the only victim of health setbacks or other circumstances that hurt her career. What if Serena had never stepped on glass, or had that knee surgery, or had committed herself to the game 100% over the years? What if Clijsters didn't want to start a family in the first place? What if Henin never retired early? What if Dementieva solved her serving issues? What if Hingis didn't develop foot problems? What if Capriati never got into drugs? What if Seles hadn't gotten stabbed?

But it's only natural to wonder what Maria could have achiveved without the shoulder problems. I've done myself. For what it's worth, I think she would have won 3 or 4 more majors.