TENNIS WIMBLEDON 2014 – 21st of June: Pre-tournament interview with Maria Sharapova
Q. Coming from clay and doing so well, the transition been different or more difficult? Less difficult?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: It’s a very quick turnaround, yeah, especially if you go in the second week of the French Open. And as physical as it was for me, having those few days off was really important for the mind, for the body.
I think a lot of people underestimate the physicality of the grass itself, the way it’s changed in so many years, the last five, six years how physical it’s become. So that adjustment is always a bit tricky in the beginning on the body.
I’ve had a good 10 days or so on the grass and I’m excited to start up another Grand Slam.
Q. Talk about the Russian team in the World Cup. What are your thoughts on Russia eventually hosting?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Unfortunately, the games are quite late when Russia plays here. I haven’t had a chance to watch so much of Russia.
Every one of my team members is from a different nation, so I’ve been able to watch their games. Germany, Holland. Japan is out now. All those great countries, it’s been great to watch those games as well.
Q. Your thought on Russia hosting the World Cup the next time around?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah. That’s really exciting. To see the excitement around such a big sport and the atmosphere in the stadiums, I think it would be a great opportunity for our country.
Q. They’re playing Belgium tomorrow. I was wondering what you know about any Belgian players maybe, or something like that, or Russian players?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I’m no expert in football. I’ll tell you that straight off the bat (laughter).
Any advice or any opinions you want, I’m not the person to ask. Yeah.
Q. Does it feel like it’s been 10 years since you won here?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, you know, once I think about it actually, the memory is quite fresh in my mind. I don’t think about that victory very often. Just sometimes when I need a little pick me up or when I look back at my achievements.
When I do think about it, it seems so fresh and it seems like it almost happened yesterday. It’s been 10 years and I’m here, yeah, still competing at a high level and still have the motivation.
I certainly had that drive when I was 17 years old, and I’m proud that I still have that going into this age group, you call it. Still going out and competing and loving what I do so much.
Q. How different is your game now from then? You’ve had much more success on clay now.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I would certainly love to change the result that I’ve had here in the last couple years. I think it was three years ago that I made a good run and had a great chance of winning it again.
In the last couple years my results were certainly nowhere near I would have wanted it to be. That’s something that I hope to change around this year. I’m looking forward to that. I’m determined to do that.
But, as always, you have to start from the beginning, from your first round on.
