[Julia1968]

When the WTA releases its rankings on Tuesday morning, Maria Sharapova will move into the #3 spot in the WTA rankings.

For a 17 year old, that's quite an amazing feat.

Barring injury, there's really nothing stopping her from moving into the #2 slot soon.

How long do you think it will take Maria Sharapova to become number one. Its inevitable.

 

[manu32]

that's logical.....

 

[RenaSlam.]

This "only 17" thing is ridiculous. I agree it is amazing what she has done so far even at an early age. Seles, Graf, Hingis, etc. all had great records when they were "only 17", and some are already touting Sharapova as one of the future greats. This should be expected, she is a great player, and once April comes she will no longer "be 17"

 

[jj74]

Yes, but Seles, Graf and Hingis doesn't have age restrictions when they started to play tennis

 

[Paneru]

Barring injury, there's really nothing stopping her from moving into the #2 slot soon.

:lol:

Actually their is a pretty major
something standing
in her way!

Serena!

 

[Stamp Paid]

Not very long, this year probably if she can win the French Open.

 

[gmak]

steffi, monica and martina didn't have age restrictions and i think maria will be no1 in the world very soon... :yeah:

 

[Missing_Hingis]

After Miami she will be number 1 in the world.
The best story for the headline will be for Maria to beat 4 time chapion Serena in the final to become number one in the world. It will be the perfect rankning for her to start clay, her worst surface, season.

 

[G1Player2]

Serena Williams was #4 at 17...

 

[Andrew.]

Yes, but Seles, Graf and Hingis doesn't have age restrictions when they started to play tennis

Don't even get me started on AER. The AER excuse used by Sharapova fans is the most bullshit excuse out there. Sharapova has played more tournaments than anyone else in the top 5, and apart from Dementieva anyone else in the top 10. She is not limited by AER, at all.

 

[Geisha]

Can we just let go of the fact that Maria is young?

Jennifer was 15 when she was winning titles. Look where she was 5 years later...

The true test to Maria's talent and future will be if she can win another Wimbledon at 20. I think Maria has a great game and she is very talented, but her fans need to let her age go, because many greats and non-greats were 17 at one time.

And the people who are saying that Martina, Jennifer, Monica, whatever, didn't have age restrictions, it should be benefiting Maria, so she doesn't get burned out. I think if Jennifer had it, she would have done much better in her career, so I look at it as an advantage.

 

[jonny84]

Maria = Russian #1

I'm sure the #1 ranking for the Russians will change over the coming months when their respective grand slam points fall off.

 

[VeeReeDavJCap81]

After Miami she will be number 1 in the world.
The best story for the headline will be for Maria to beat 4 time chapion Serena in the final to become number one in the world. It will be the perfect rankning for her to start clay, her worst surface, season.

First off, learn how to spell CHAMPION. Second...Serena Williams is the 3 time champion (2002, 2003, 2004). Learn your facts.

 

[Josh B.]

Maria will be number 1 by the end of the season!

 

[SzavayFi]

Out of everyone on this board i bet i dislike sharapova the most, I REEEAAAALLLY CANT STAND HER! GAAAAH. just sayin that sharapova fans dont screw me over but this girl has reeaaly bothered me lately

 

[Infiniti2001]

Don't even get me started on AER. The AER excuse used by Sharapova fans is the most bullshit excuse out there. Sharapova has played more tournaments than anyone else in the top 5, and apart from Dementieva anyone else in the top 10. She is not limited by AER, at all.

Exactly Andrew.. Have you looked at her schedule? She's pulling a Hingis and overloading her plate with tournaments. I think this strategy is, having seen how closely grouped all the top players are, is to kick her to #1 any way as soon as possible .I also think this is super-dangerous territory because she could easily suffer an injury (which is inevitable). It happens to ALL the players at the most inoppotune time

 

[chitchat]

:lol:

Actually their is a pretty major
something standing
in her way!

:lol: :lol: :lol:
well maybe Julia has already forecast that the "major something" would move to the number 1 spot by then ....

 

[victory1]

Exactly Andrew.. Have you looked at her schedule? She's pulling a Hingis and overloading her plate with tournaments. I think this strategy is, having seen how closely grouped all the top players are, is to kick her to #1 any way as soon as possible .I also think this is super-dangerous territory because she could easily suffer an injury (which is inevitable). It happens to ALL the players at the most inoppotune time

I also think she has a schedule overload. I don't know why people are saying she has age restrictions, from beginning of last year to now, she has played 20 tournaments and on the draw for her 21st. She's playing so well lately, I don't think it's healthy. For some lesser player who does not make it to far in the draw, that schedule is understandable, but for a player of Maria's calibre, it's a no-no. I think the money has gotten to her dad head, and he really wants her to be #1 to milk it some more, but the price she'll pay later will not be pretty! Ask all the top players what a schedule overload can do to the body.

 

[Missing_Hingis]

Don't even get me started on AER. The AER excuse used by Sharapova fans is the most bullshit excuse out there. Sharapova has played more tournaments than anyone else in the top 5, and apart from Dementieva anyone else in the top 10. She is not limited by AER, at all.

You obviously dont know much about AER.
If it's not for the AER, Kim Clijsters would have been number much earlier.
Justine Henin-Hardenne would also have won a slam much earlier.
WTA Tour just recently started to open the rules up, it's too limiting.

 

[jacobruiz]

This "only 17" thing is ridiculous. I agree it is amazing what she has done so far even at an early age. Seles, Graf, Hingis, etc. all had great records when they were "only 17", and some are already touting Sharapova as one of the future greats. This should be expected, she is a great player, and once April comes she will no longer "be 17"

I don't think Sharapova or her fans use her age to mean "I'm 17 and look what I've won!" Maria is SEVENTEEN, that's young, period. She knows she has plenty of time to accomplish her goals. She is not too disappointed when she loses because she knows she will get better in the near future if she works hard, which she does. I don't think anyone is saying Maria is one of the youngest overachievers like Hingis and Seles, because they accomplished more at 16.

But you're right, once April comes Maria will no longer be 17. And I'm pretty sure 18 will be her best year yet!