[peipei]

Originally Posted by Yoana R.

Pre-tournament press conference with Maria Sharapova

Q. You handled those junior boys okay, no problem?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Hmm. One of them was really on top of me and then I got really mad. I think he had eight set points and I ended up winning the set. I'm not going to tell who it is. Too embarrassed. I don't think he slept well after that one.

[OlympianPova]

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't write letters back. Most of them end with, Can you please send me an autograph? Yeah, my mother and I actually have a whole system where she goes through all the mail and I sign as many as I can back.

So her mother is also her secretary/PA.

[peipei]

SHARAPOVA OPENS WITH DOUBLE BAGEL
Maria Sharapova showed she's fully recovered from the right collarbone injury that forced her to withdraw from Brisbane two weeks ago, rolling through her opener at the Australian Open.
Published January 14, 2013 12:00



MELBOURNE, Australia - Maria Sharapova showed she's fully recovered from the right collarbone injury that forced her to withdraw from her only Australian Open lead-up tournament two weeks ago in Brisbane, crushing Olga Puchkova in her first match at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

The No.2-seeded Sharapova blasted 18 winners and blanked her fellow Russian in 55 minutes, 60 60.

"After a couple of close games and a few break points early on I certainly started to concentrate a bit better," Sharapova said. "I didn't want to focus on the fact I hadn't played a lot of matches, I just wanted to focus on what was ahead of me and really concentrate on being aggressive. I had never played her before, but it was one of those matches where I just wanted to think about what I had to do."

Sharapova has now won by a double bagel three times at Grand Slams, over Beatrice Capra in the third round of the 2010 US Open and over Alexandra Cadantu in the first round of last year's French Open.

"You focus on every point and every game and try to win as many as you can; today was just a good scoreline," Sharapova said. "But even if you win 7-6 in the third, you've still won the match."

Sharapova was asked about her lack of preparation going into the year's first Grand Slam.

"I would have loved to come in with a few matches, but sometimes circumstances don't allow that, and that's okay," Sharapova said. "To me, I'd rather be going onto the court knowing I'm healthy. Yes, I might be a little bit rusty, but I'll work my way through it. I'm experienced enough to know the adjustments I have to make in those types of circumstances. I went to Brisbane. I certainly would have loved to step on the court and play those matches, but it just didn't work out this time."

Sharapova could face No.25 seed Venus Williams in a blockbuster third round match-up - she was asked about the potential clash with her fellow former No.1. "First of all we still have to get to that point, and then we can discuss it further," she said. "There's no doubt she's a champion, and an experienced one at that - and no matter where she's ranked or what level she's at, she's a tough opponent."

[PimpMePova]

Transcribed Interview

Start of Transcribed Interview
Q. I take it the rust didn't hurt too much out there?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, after a couple of close games and a few break points, certainly started to concentrate a bit better. And, you know, I didn't want to focus on the fact I hadn't played a lot of matches. Just wanted to focus on just what was ahead of me and really concentrate and, you know, be aggressive. I also never faced her before again. So it was just one of those matches where I didn't try to worry about her too much. I just tried to, you know, think about what I had to do.

Q. You have now gotten a double bagel win at every slam. It completes your double bagel slam or calendar slam. Is that something you're proud of?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't think that's very relative to anything. (Laughter.) You know, when you're out there and playing, you're just focusing on every point and every game and trying to win as many as you can, and today was just a good scoreline.

Q. You don't get any extra satisfaction out of 0‑0?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, if you win 7‑6 in the third, you still won the match.

Q. Did you take anything from today as far as what you want to work on maybe the next couple of days as far as you felt like you did something really well or that you weren't necessarily happy with?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I always do, because it's tough to feel completely satisfied. You always want to improve on things and work on certain things that you feel will help you in the later rounds certainly towards the end of the second week. But, yeah, overall I was happy with the way I started, considering I didn't play any matches coming in.

Q. You got through round one in 55 minutes without losing a game. Must be a wonderful feeling for you. Are you already aware that Venus Williams played five more minutes and lost only one game?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I don't really think time matters and the scorelines; we both went out to play matches today and we both won. That's the bottom line.

Q. You aren't aware that you may have to face her in the third round?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I have seen the draw, yes. Thank you.

Q. On the court it's cold or hot?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Cold or hot?

Q. What's your feeling?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: You were there. Did you watch?

Q. Yeah, I watched.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Was it cold or hot?

Q. Cold.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Cold? It's probably warmer when you're playing. I felt pretty good, much colder than the other days.

[Cosmic Voices]

Some of Masha's bitchy replies

[TrollPova]

Oh. My. God. SO MUCH BITCHINESS .

[nelsondan]

Q. You aren't aware that you may have to face her in the third round?


i did not think her replies were bitchy at all. that question was phrased as an accusation, attempting to goad her into saying something dismissive of her second round opponent, and she responded with a successful verbal drop shot.

[Mr.Sharapova]

Maria's reply to the Venus comment . She has seen the draw guys , prepare yourselves .

[OlympianPova]

I love the way Maria handles her post match conferences these days. More interactive and human.

[Asanty]

Anybody watched ESPN interview? What did she say about Grigor?

[PimpMePova]

Originally Posted by Asanty

Anybody watched ESPN interview? What did she say about Grigor?

I SO want to watch that interview but can't find it anywhere

[slvr1969]

Maria Sharapova joins Twitter, blushes when asked about new boyfriend

http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon...itter/1832709/

"In other Sharapova news, she visited ESPN's set following her double bagel of Olga Puchkova. Host Chris Fowler took the opportunity to ask a relaxed Maria whether she heard the first-round score of rumored boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov. (He lost.)The question drew instant giggles from Sharapova, turned her face the color of her "cheeky" gummy candy and elicited a playfully defensive, "come on, I'm not saying anything."

That says everything Maria!"

[Profusion]

Who do you think will be the first person she follows?

[WowWow]

Originally Posted by Profusion

Who do you think will be the first person she follows?

Maybe Billie Jean King, since she mentioned her in one of her speeches and BJK welcomed her on twitter, too
Maybe Conde Nast Elevator lol (is that account still active?)
Who knows...

[Angelpova]

Originally Posted by Profusion

Who do you think will be the first person she follows?

I'm don't think she will follow anyone. But the sponsors, yes, like on facebook.
Cole Haan - Evian - Head - Nike - Samsung - Tiffany & Co. - TAG Heuer - WTA