WIMBLEDON

June 28, 2005

Maria Sharapova

THE MODERATOR: Good afternoon, everybody. Maria Sharapova. Questions in English first of all, please.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I think I will. I have a lot of those dresses, so I don't think it will be a problem.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. The little shorts?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: The shoes. The shoes, I might have to take the gold away (laughter). No, yeah, sure, I'd give the shoes. No problem.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Oh, yeah, for sure. To be in that museum, obviously it's a big achievement.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uhm, it's been different, but it's also been different because experience-wise I feel like I'm a much more experienced player this year. In certain situations, you know, last year I would have gone for my shots; this year I feel like I've been in this situation before and I feel like I know what to do. It's different, but I'm also expecting myself to know what to do in these certain situations.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, like I said, last year I was just thrilled to be in the semifinals. And this year, I mean, you know, I'm sort of expecting myself to be in the second week. I mean, I'm thrilled, of course. When you're in the second week of a Grand Slam, of course you're confident and so are the opponents you're going to play, so it's normal.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, she has a big game, you know, is a great fighter. So every time we play we always have really tough matches. Just have to go out and battle it out and see who can come out and win the fight.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I mean, every opponent is so different. You know, you just go out. It's hard to focus on your opponent. I mean, I only played her a few times. I think the main thing is she's a good athlete, she gets a lot of balls back and she's very tough. So, you know, it's just mentally you've got to be ready for an extra ball.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, especially when I was down a breakpoint, I told the ball to hit the net and roll over. That's what comes with experience (laughter). I think in the past year it's been really important for me, you know, to learn from different situations, you know, either it's a winning situation or it's a losing situation. I've been able to bounce back from the losing positions and learn from them. So I think, you know, maybe when I'm down or maybe when it's close in the match, I feel like I'm still in it. I don't feel like I'm letting down. Mentally, I'm still really, really tough. A lot of girls, the reason why when it gets to 4-All, we're holding serve, I feel like I'm mentally tougher out there and I mentally can play, you know, two more good games to finish off the set.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: It's hard to say. I mean, obviously it would have been a totally different story. It would have been back on serve. Why talk about it? It went the other way, so...

MARIA SHARAPOVA: God, there's so many answers to give you guys. I don't know what to choose from. I mean, yeah, there are a lot of signs. Not too many here, not at Wimbledon. At other tournaments, there are a lot of signs, "Will you marry me, Maria?" It's like, "Will you jump off a bridge?" The same thing.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. Are you from The Sun?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think he asked you about the tennis questions. Let's go on with the tennis questions.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, it's a totally different situation. You know, last year I think what happened me last year is when I played her at the Nasdaq. That was the first time I played her. I was a bit unsure of what to expect. And just physically, she's a lot stronger than me. When I went into the Wimbledon final last year, I felt like a much -- you know, I felt like I was in that situation where I saw Serena across the net. It was a bit of a -- you know, it wasn't like a new situation for me. I've been there, plus I played really well. So if you add those things together and you win, then you can't beat that.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think the main thing is just to be mentally tough. It's going to be a big battle, and that's all. You've just got to fight. That's the only thing you can do.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: You're trying to get some attention in here, aren't you?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: All right. I'll give you some answers. What was the question again?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, yeah. It's a different situation because last year, you know, I wasn't expected to be in the second week of a Grand Slam. It was obviously something new to me, something really exciting. You know, when you get to the semifinal of a Grand Slam for the first time, it's overwhelming. At 17 years old, you're really excited about it. In a year, I was in the semifinals of Australia, quarters of Roland Garros. You know, coming here, I feel like I'm, you know, being consistent. And it feels good in a way, but it's also very exciting. You know, I'd rather be in the second week than lose in the first round and be excited about that.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I don't think tennis is my life. It's my career. It's what I've done since I was younger. That's how obviously I made money. But it's not my life, for sure. There are a lot of more important things in my life. Family, health. If you have those two things, then, you know, tennis is just something way on the bottom.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Oh, yeah, if I wouldn't be enjoying it... I'm that kind of person, whatever it is - tennis or writing a paper or something. If I wouldn't be enjoying it, I mean, if it's something necessary I would do it, but if it's not, I say, you know, get it out of here.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: You know, at Wimbledon, all my dresses last year, my dress was very simple, but it was very classy and elegant. And this year I feel like it's old style, like I feel ladies -- I see pictures on the walls of other players here around the tournament, and I see them wearing, you know, those pleated skirts and some details in the front. It makes me think back of the days. You know, whenever I think of designing a dress or having inspirations for Wimbledon, it's always about, you know, tradition and elegance.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: No, the same dress.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I thanked the fairy for taking the ball and bringing it over the net. You know, this is tennis, and that's what happens. Sometimes it will go over and sometimes not, and you end up losing the match. Today it went into my favor.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I've always had really tough matches with Mary. I played her -- last time was in Rome on clay. You know, that's a bit different. You know, she's been playing really well, playing with a lot of confidence. She has a big game, as well, big serve, can definitely attack her movement. But otherwise it's still going to be a very tough match.