Playing in her first grand slam for 19 months, Maria Sharapova is drawing inspiration from 36-year-old Roger Federer.
The Russian has missed 15 months of the tour after serving a doping suspension. Returning to action in April, she missed out on appearing at two majors. At the French Open she was refused a wild card before an injury forced her out of Wimbledon. Despite her setbacks, the 30-year-old has praised the support she has received from her fans.
“I’ve had an amazing reaction from fans since I’ve been back, and that’s been very special. I mean, I felt it while I was away. I felt it in a real presence since I’ve been back. It’s a very special feeling.” Said Sharapova, who has a Facebook following of over 15.3 Million.
Sharapova is hoping that she can emulate Federer in her comeback. Last year the 19-time grand slam champion missed six months of the tour due to injury. Since returning in January, he has won the Australian Open and Wimbledon as well as a duo of North American Masters titles. Heading into New York, he had a win-loss record of 35-3 on the tour this season.
“What he’s done is incredible. I think not just myself, but a lot of people can take a lot of inspiration and motivation from what he’s done.” She said. “That’s very special to see, just the passion with which he still plays and the level and the quality and the consistency.”
“Those are all things at his age, after everything he’s accomplished, personally that’s what I always see in champions, in Roger and Rafael [Nadal], Serena and Venus [Williams], that they’re still able to produce, not just produce that type of tennis but want to be there and want to compete and want to win.”
The fallout continues
Once again Sharapova’s presence in the tournament has divided opinion. Recently Caroline Wozniacki questioned the decision to schedule the Russian on the Arthur Ashe stadium. The Dane has accused US Open organizers of sending out the wrong message for putting a player who has violated anti-doping rules on their main stadium.
Video: Caroline Wozniacki unhappy with US Open scheduling
Video credit: Ekstrabladet.dk pic.twitter.com/5r1JEjCuEj— CaroWozniackiNews (@CWTennis) 31 August 2017
The fallout from her positive test for meldonium continues to haunt Sharapova. On Wednesday she declined to answer a question about how many drugs tests she has undergone so far this season. Instead, she pointed out that the ITF will reveal the numbers at the end of the year.
“I think as an athlete, when you walk out onto the court, you’re so focused and determined to win a tennis match that all your focus is going on that one job.” The former world No.1 explained.
Sharapova will play Sofia Kenin in the third round of the US Open.
