About Maria Sharapova in the tennis world talking after last year at age 14 she reached the finals of the junior tournament of the Australian Open. The same success has made Maria and six months later at Wimbledon, where the deciding match lost to Vera Dushevina Muscovite.Then we talked to Sharapova for the first time. Here are short excerpts from the interview:"- Before my parents lived in Gomel, Belarus. But shortly before the mother became pregnant with me, the Chernobyl accident occurred. Father changed jobs and moved to Siberia. There's a small town Niagan I was born - said Masha.
- When they began to play tennis?- In the four and a half years.
- In Siberia?- No, in Sochi, where we were by this time had moved.
- What do your parents do?- The Pope - the engineer. He always loved tennis and was familiar with his father Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Mom, while I was little, sitting in the house.
- His first coach remember?- Of course, it's Yuri Yutkin.
- At what age were in America?- Around 7 years old. "
For adult tournaments held under the auspices of the International Tennis Federation, Maria made her debut in 2001 - in Sarasota, where, however, lost in first round. But in the last year in Columbus, not even being in the WTA rankings, won at the start of an opponent, then part number 300 of the best in the world.In the season-2002 on account of its three titles were won by the tournaments ITF, - in the Japanese Gunma, Vancouver, Canada and the U.S. Peachtree City. And this year, Sharapova became a regularly try their hand at major competitions. In January last qualified for the Australian Open, in February, stood on the WTA computer, even at 153-m site in May, won another ITF tournament in Sea Island (USA) - again, this time at Roland Garros, made its way through the qualification tournament " Grand Slam. "Next began a series of tournaments on grass - covering, which is obtained from Sharapova's really nice. And in Birmingham, Mary "shot" for real - just beat the three "seeded" - Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy (5), Swiss Marie-Gayane Mikaelian (11) and Elena Dementieva (1), then in the semifinals on a tiebreaker in the third Sete lost to Shinobu Asagi Japanese woman.
Output in a great lightHowever, on the importance and popularity of the Wimbledon tournament is not like Birmingham. And it would not be a big mistake to say that this is where Sharapova was first published in a great light.That this should happen, it became clear even before the tournament when, arriving in London, almost all the Sunday newspapers, I found pictures of Mary with images of other tennis "models" - Daniel Gantuhovoy from Slovakia and Austrian Barbara Shetty.This is not surprising. In the West tennis - it's not just a sport, the intricacies of which, in fact, well-versed only units, but also a beautiful sight. And for many - and even big business. Therefore, "unwind" here, as a rule, not only great champions, but also just good players with good looks and a special charisma.Nothing criminal about that. Sport Management Act stipulates that a true star should look attractive from all sides. And the more stars - the better for tennis. However, most of us, the Russians do not understand this, because educated otherwise. Striking example - related to Anna Kournikova, which not only the West but also, for example, in China, many still adore.It would seem, Sharapova won the Wimbledon wild card deservedly so - after the success in Nottingham. However, the question arises: would provide the British Mary pass in the main draw, if not addressed seriously the company IMG? I am sure that there is, in fact call her a star in the truest sense of the word while it is impossible. But this, too - the rules of the game, which everyone agrees. Or almost everything.While Sharapova's managers are working with it competently. At Sharapovsky press conferences during the Wimbledon main hall of the press center was filled with almost as much as a champion, but before an international bunch of sharks pen Masha kept very directly, one might even say - artfully.Here are some of her answers at press conferences, which allow a great deal to understand the nature of young tennis players:
- Tried to you as a child to imitate someone from tennis?- No, although many are surprised. Of course, watching the matches of other players, I notices the strengths of their game: one - footwork, another - some blows. But the idol I ever had.
- Being a Russian woman on the passport, do you feel is actually an American?- It can not be denied, because half of my life I spent in America. At the same time, communicating with children who were born there, in the States, I felt between them and a big difference. In my heart I feel Russian.
- How do you explain the fact that Russia has recently appeared so many strong women's tennis?- Strength of character and desire to work to realize their talent.
Between Florida and CaliforniaExactly how Sharapova with her parents was in America, I find out before the end failed.It seems, at first it was tough. As reported by the weekly WTA Tour, to the daughter was able to train in Bradenton, her father does not easily get a work visa in the U.S., and his mother, staying in Russia, has not seen his daughter for two years. Requesting agent Mary to an interview with her came her father Yuri Sharapov, about which I was told as a fairly sociable person, I heard in reply that it is unlikely to succeed. It just happened. And wanted to talk - at least to find out where the city Niagan that for all his efforts this writer could not find on the map. However, judging by what she said tennis at press conferences, accompanies her father only in tournaments. Work well with Sharapova Michael Baros and Robert Lansdorp, a renowned expert from California. There she, apparently, spends about half the time allocated for training. Constantly Mary still lives in Florida - in Bradenton near the Bollettieri Academy.Hardly anyone would argue that Sharapova - a product of the American school of tennis.But the product is very, very good quality. She has a good feed, the first phase which resembles the motion of Pete Sampras, and excellent smashing blows to the back line.Provided Maria and her loud moans. With all the force sending the ball to the other half of the court, she, according to the gravest The Sunday Times, makes sounds loudness of 100 decibels. (Incidentally, this record at Wimbledon. When Monica Seles beats instruments recorded 93.7 decibels, and current stars in comparison with them at all demure. Index Serena Williams - 88 decibels, Jennifer Capriati - 86, Venus Williams - 85, Lindsay Davenport - 84 .) some of its rivals such sound annoying, but most have become accustomed to it.While one can only guess how things will emerge from Maria in the future, although it is clear that further progress it needs to work hard. Especially on the game at the net. On this occasion, by the way, during Wimbledon, Martina Navratilova spoke.- If you want to learn how to kick the ball to bounce, then you definitely should go to Bollettieri. But I have not seen yet not a single person who came back, having a flawless pitch and putt in the summer - said the great American.However, now appear on Sharapova has a far greater impact Lansdorp, featuring special scrutiny in the training process.- Robert will ask you to execute any element of a thousand times until you bring it to automatic.I remember how he was with me for 50 minutes at a time doing just blows right. Many young girls, such work brings to tears, but it seems that Sharapova does not apply to them. I heard that Mary speaks about Robert as the only man who can make her work hard. And in that you can not doubt, - said Lindsay Davenport, who had to deal with Lansdorp.It would be wrong to expect that it will very soon take off, for example, the top ten. Now it is virtually impossible - due to the fact that the WTA Tour is strictly limits the number of major tournaments, which can take tennis up to 18 years. Nevertheless, top-ranked Serena Williams, who at a London press conference recalled its own debut at Wimbledon, no doubt: Sharapova will be able to achieve a lot.
Will play for RussiaThe question of whether Mary and continue to play for Russia or it would take an American citizen, was raised at press conferences during the tournament more than once. Sharapova stressed: it will remain a Russian woman and wants to play for Russia.The same thing in conversation with me, her agent confirmed.
Eugene Fedyakov"Sport-Express"08.07.2003
