TENNIS 2014 ROLAND GARROS – 3rd of June. M. Sharapova d. G. Muguruza 1-6, 7-5, 6-1. An interview with Maria Sharapova
Q. You did it again. But what did you think after that first set loss?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, a few things. I thought I didn’t do much in the first set to hurt her. She was doing many things well.
I also knew that the match wasn’t over. I still had a fair bit of time to change things around. You know, little by little I started playing a bit better, started getting in the court a little bit more, playing a little bit more aggressive, serving better than I did in the first set, returning as well, giving myself more looks at break points.
So just a combination of a few things. It was tough not to win that game at 3 1. I think that would have gave me a bit more confidence. I was a game away from losing it. I was very happy with the way I came through.
Q. It can look different from the outside than how you guys are playing it, but where did that match turn for you? Where do you think?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It’s tough to say on this one. I mean, the first set I just didn’t feel like I was giving myself a chance to play out there. We didn’t have many long rallies. It was just two or three ball rallies, and I was late.
I mean, she was playing very aggressive and hitting shots very deep. I just didn’t have much to say to that in the first set.
I think as I started returning better and also serving, I mean, getting first serves in, against an opponent like that who is playing with so much confidence, you can’t just keep giving them looks at second serves all the time. It’s just not going to help you in the quarterfinal of a Grand Slam.
As easy as that sounds, it’s much tougher to do that in that situation. I was able to do that. Once I got those break points, once I got the break, even thought she broke back, I started feeling like I was in the match again.
Q. 5 All in the second she goes up 30 Love, and then you reel off two unreturnables and a winner to break there. It seemed like things really, really turned there. Were you aware of that being a particularly important point in the match? What was going on?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think there are a lot of important points. I could say the same things about the forehand that I missed at break point, 3 1, 30 40, and it’s a big point. If I lost that match, I would be kicking myself in the bottom for that point.
But of course when your opponent is up 30 Love and you get that game back, you know, 30 Love on serve when she’s serving quite well, I’m sure she feels like she has a good chance of getting that game in the bag, and all of a sudden I’m serving for the set.
Q. When Garbine beat Serena, she did it quickly; I think in a little over an hour. Match started off quickly for you losing the first set. What were you doing to slow it down and change the pace where you could get a foothold and stop her momentum? How much of that is actually slowing down the match and taking more time between the points to gather yourself?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, apparently it’s not, because then you get a warning (smiling).
I think for me it was about a lot of the games in the first set she was always up 30 Love, 40 Love, and then I’d win a point or two. Then she’s the one with the confidence. You never are giving her a chance to think.
In the second set, when you’re making her, you know, hit a second ball after her serve or when you’re being a bit more aggressive on the second serves, taking a bit more chances, all of a sudden, you know, she’s not hitting so freely.
I think that changes a little bit. But it’s a combination of the way you feel and also that little pressure that she begins to feel.
Q. Judy Murray just tweeted Sharapova is like a tea bag…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Who is that?
Q. Judy Murray. Andy’s mom.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Okay. Sorry. I didn’t know who Judy Murray is.
Q. I will quote: Sharapova is like a tea bag. Put her into hot water, and you’ll find out how strong she is. People usually call you a fighter. How about being a tea bag?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Can you explain that to me?
Q. You don’t drink tea?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I love tea.
Q. Put the bag in hot water…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I’m a big tea drinker. I don’t understand what she means.
Q. Hot water. In hot water. Water gets…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: That’s great. She’s very creative (smiling). I guess she could have put it many different ways, and she chose the English version.
Q. How about it? Fighter and tea bag? You can’t relate…
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think it’s better to ask her than me. Obviously she has a better sense of what’s going on out there (smiling).
