Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova, who defended her Rome title on Sunday with a victory over Li Na, says that she is not dominating clay. World No. 2 Sharapova is 5-...

If you want a laugh, a fashion magazine has done a profile on Sharapova and said this: "despite being relatively petite, she's known for her hyper-speed."
"Petite!" "Hyper-speed!" Must be a different Sharapova.
It also talks of her "reverse forehand". Perhaps they mean an inside-out.

http://www.papermag.com/arts_and_style/2012/02/maria-sharapova.php

Maria Sharapova will not accept a wild card into next week's tournament in Hobart, TENNIS.com has learned. The three-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from this week's tournament in Brisbane because of her continuing recovery from a left ankle injury, which she suffered at the Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo in late September.

Sharapova has been training in Melbourne and still plans on participating in the Australian Open, which she won in 2008 and begins on Jan. 16 in Melbourne. She last played at the WTA Championships in late October, when she withdrew after her second match.—Matt Cronin

Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Brisbane International due to an ankle injury.

The Russian was due to play at the Brisbane International for the first time in 2012 and is extremely disappointed she will not be making the trip to Queensland.

“I was really looking forward to starting my 2012 season at the Brisbane International, which has a fantastic reputation as a great and welcoming event,” Sharapova said today.

“Unfortunately my ankle is not 100 per cent and I won’t be able to make it this year.

“I do expect to be ready for the year’s first Grand Slam and I am really looking forward to competing on court.”

http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/

Sharapova has withdrawn from the remainder of the Championships in Istanbul, citing an ankle injury. She will be replaced by Marion Bartoli.

Sharapova (in Istanbul since Oct 12):
"I'm doing well," the No.2-ranked Russian said about her form. "I got here a little bit early to get used to everything like the courts, playing indoors and the climate. It has been going really well so far, my foot is doing better and I still have about six more days until the tournament starts. So far, so good.

"If it weren't for the Championships, I might have taken it a little bit easier and not gotten back on my feet or on the court so quickly," she added, "but I'm a competitor and love the sport too much to not want to give it my all; even if I'm not feeling 100%, I'll do everything I can to win the tournament."
http://bit.ly/nlv7kL

Sharapova not in Russian squad for Fed Cup finals

The world tennis No. 2, Maria Sharapova, won’t be playing for Russia in the upcoming Fed Cup finals against the Czech Republic.
Vera Zvonareva, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Ekaterina Makarova have been selected to represent the country in the crucial matches.
According to the Russian team coach, Shamil Tarpischev, there could still be changes in the squad, but it is certain that Sharapova will not be in the final lineup.
“Sharapova is to miss finals against the Czech Republic,” Tarpischev told RIA-Novosti news agency. “Firstly, Maria has a ligament tear. Secondly, we'll be playing against Czechs on the court, which is sufficiently slow for Sharapova. Thirdly, we have an agreement with Maria that she will stand against the Spanish girls in the next edition of the tournament next February.”
Petra Kvitova, Lucie Safarova, Lucie Hradecka and Kveta Peschke will represent the Czech team in the final which will be held in the Russian capital on November 5 – 6.
Team Russia have won the Fed Cup four times, with the most recent success coming in 2008.
http://bit.ly/pgrB6S

María is already in Istanbul
My physio Juan has done an amazing job the last 2 weeks and I am happy to say that we just arrived in Istanbul!!! A+ for the Turkish Airlines business class seats, slept like a baby!!"
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
http://bit.ly/p3UzDO

Sharapova injury update:

Maria Sharapova's effort to avenge her Wimbledon final loss to Petra Kvitova was brought to an abrupt end on Thursday after she twisted an ankle in the quarter-finals of the Pan Pacific Open.
The Russian world No.2 was serving 40-15 up at 3-4 in an even first set when the injury struck.
Sharapova received court-side treatment but decided to retire soon afterwards, giving the Czech a free ticket to the semi-finals.
``I hit a serve and then landed awkwardly on my left ankle. I felt a sharp pain and next thing I knew I was on the floor. It swelled up immediately and I knew there was no way I could continue,'' said Sharapova in a statement.
``I am incredibly disappointed and in a lot of pain. I obviously really wanted to win and felt that I was playing well.
``There's not much more I can say right now. I'm sorry for the tournament and my Japanese fans that the match had to end this way,'' added the two-time Pan Pacific champion.
Kvitova, who claimed her first grand slam title by beating Sharapova in June's Wimbledon final, described her withdrawal as ``sad.''
``Because we played very nice tennis, I think, and it was a great match. I'm very sorry about her, because the ankle swollen was too big straight away. Hopefully, nothing it's bad and she will be back early,'' she said.

Source: AAP.

Maria Sharapova qualifies for Year End Championships

Russian Maria Sharapova has qualified for the TEB-BNP Paribas WTA Championships, which will be hosted at the state of the art Sinan Erdem Arena in Istanbul, Turkey.

The WTA's year-end finale, to be held in Istanbul through 2013, will feature the Top 8 singles players and Top 4 doubles teams competing for the coveted title and a share of $5 million in prize money.

Sharapova will be playing the event for the first time since 2007. "I am so happy to have booked my spot in Istanbul. I haven't been to the event since 2007 and I've really missed competing in one of the most exciting and important events of the year. I'm looking forward to making the most of playing in Istanbul."

Sharapova has played this event four times before from 2004-2007 and her best result was winnning it in 2004 in Los Angeles.

source: http://bit.ly/r3HG0Y