Client News
Rejuvenated Sharapova ready to shine
Beijing, 14 September 2005 - Newly crowned world No. 1 Maria Sharapova is fully rested and ready for action in the China Open.
The 18-year-old Russian, who reached the semi-finals of the inaugural event last year, is delighted that next week’s women’s tournament has attracted the strongest ever line-up, including world No.2 Lindsay Davenport and multiple Grand Slam winners Venus and Serena Williams.
“I always think the tougher the match the better,” Sharapova, the China Open second seed, said in a telephone interview with TOM Group Limited.
“I relish the competition, which is why I play tennis. I enjoy the difficult matches because the battles are more intense and more interesting. Of course, sometimes you lose and sometimes you win, but I always try to find a way to win.”
“That is how I will play the China Open. I’ve managed to have a little break since the US Open, so I’ll be fresh and ready when it starts.”
Sharapova, who first captivated the tennis world by winning Wimbledon as a 17-year-old in 2004, has posted consistently strong results ever since, including a semi-final run in the US Open before being ousted by eventual champion Kim Clijsters.
She ascended to the world’s top ranking in August, but was quickly overhauled by Davenport. On Monday, thanks to her US Open performance, Sharapova regained the top spot and this time she aims to stay there.
“Being No.1 once again makes me feel very special, but let’s hope I can hold on to it for more than a week this time,” she said. ”Of course, it’ll take quite a bit of work to keep me there but I’ll do my best.
“It’s a bit like a fairytale and a dream come true. I never thought I would be where I am now at this age; to win a grand slam at age 17 and be No.1 in the world at 18 – But I have worked really hard for it and I believe I have earned it.”
Having achieved her life-long ambition, Sharapova will not be sitting back and relaxing.
“I think there’s still room for improvement in my game,” she said. “I’m working on my strength and conditioning to add a few more miles-per-hour on my serve and that will really help.”
China Open tournament director Ekkehard Rathgeber said tennis fans are eagerly awaiting the appearance of Sharapova, the biggest draw in women’s tennis, and the other top women who will be in action from Monday at the Beijing Tennis Centre.
“Sharapova is having a fantastic year and has won six titles in the past 12 months,” said Rathgeber, who is also Chief Operating Officer of tournament co-organiser TOM Group Limited, an associate of Hutchison Whampoa Limited.
“She has reached the pinnacle of tennis at such a young age and for Chinese fans to have the opportunity to see Sharapova, Davenport and the Williams sisters in action will be a fantastic spectacle,” he added.
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Released on behalf of TOM Group and the China Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.