Comments on: Is Sharapova’s Glass Half Empty?

By: carla

carla — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:03:39 +0000

Maria sharapova will always be the best!! This AO year wasn’t meant for her… but before that she won the title in tokyo and in hongkong…
she always try her best that she can be and next tour she will rule the court…Sad about her injury a year ago cuz its really disturbing her game… and now i know she try to play better than before…. im just happy that she come back cuz the only reason i watch tennis is because of her and i love playing tennis! GO maria you still RULE the COURT! Hoping for your new unique outfit you’ll design in nike!

By: Andrew Broad

Andrew Broad — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:11:45 +0000

Maria Sharapova’s career is NOT in terminal decline; she just had a bad day at the office.

Maria prepared for the Australian Open as usual: by playing a series of exhibitions, and eschewing the WTA tournaments in the fortnight before the AO. So she went up against Little Maria – who knows her very well, and played very well on the day – with insufficient match-play.

So it was a rough start to the season, and yet another disappointment in a Major, but Maria should be fine for the rest of the season, and as it is an even-numbered year, she can expect to win her fourth Major.

Oh – and Maria reached the second round of the US Open 2003. The last time she lost in the first round of a Major was at the French Open 2003 – and only then after qualifying.

By: The Fan Child

The Fan Child — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:28:42 +0000

Solvieg,

I only meant to bring to light the challenges that Maria faces as she tries to work her way to the top.

I didn’t intend to be negative at all – I love Maria and the fire that she plays with. She is a great competitor and a great personality. I have enjoyed her return to the sport and I have been rooting for her to play well.

Thank you for reading, and sorry you were offended.

- Chris Oddo

By: Solveig

Solveig — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:53:38 +0000

I think judging a person chances based on the result of the loss of a first round match is ****, and trying to back up ones point my mentioning former lost matches when the person in question is on her way back from injury, is nothing more than throwing a cheep punch. This simply goes to show that small persons has small minds, at least in this case.
Maria will be back on top, just you wait and see, somehow noone takes her story into account when it comes to these kinds of features, and i can tell you why. Trying to make Maria look like the eternal looser will fall to pieces when compared to what she has gone trough to be where she is, and still is going through it seems, at least taking this so called article into account.
The fact is you americans relish at the thought that you can get somebody to think Maria is long gone, at least just to make yourself look oh so high and mighty, when the truth is, amerika is soon to be a no show when it comes to wta. You failed at grooming new players to take over when the Williams sisters is gone, so why not try to make yourself looking better by turning the light on someone else??? You´re not fooling me, the only one who is over is american tennis on the womens tour. Maria will be back and tons of other nationalities will make your little country look like beggars at that party.
Next time your writing anything try using your brain for a change, that is if you actually have one.
It´s about time you guys aknowledge this fact, america is not the country, it´s just another country among all the others, no more butt kissing.

By: Alice

Alice — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:33:43 +0000

Chris! Great article! :)

I’ve heard it said that one of the great things about Maria is she doesn’t let her outside portfolio interfere with her on court performance.

But i’m not so sure that’s the case.

By: MashaFan

MashaFan — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:57:23 +0000

How quickly some “experts” are willing to dismiss Masha after her loss at the AO 2010 – However – another star – Kim Clijster – was beaten in 2 straight sets 6-0 and 6-1 – Compare that to Masha’s battle in 3 sets in which – with a little luck she could have won

Everybody can have a bad day – in Masha’s case it happened on day 1 – when she’d to play against a player who was far better than her ranking showed

If someone has the mental toughness – it’s Masha and I’m sure we’ll hear more – and especially see more fantastic great stuff from her this year – She’ll be back – and sometimes soon she’ll be the old killer winner Masha again

By: The Fan Child

The Fan Child — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:47:25 +0000

Yes – stop RELYING on brute power! Use it like all the other tricks in your bag, when it is appropriate. I think the Maria Sharapova that wins another Slam is going to have to be much more fit – and able to develop and sustain rallies rather than just trying to rip winners.

There seems to be too much risk in her game…

But at 22, there is a lot of time for Maria to make improvements. I’ve actually become a much bigger fan of hers since the comeback – I hope she keeps battling!!!

Thanks for your comments!

Chris

By: Marine

Marine — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:36:59 +0000

I think Maria should stop relying on a brute power, it hasn’t done anything good for her and got her into a big trouble physically. She needs to work on her footwork a fair bit, decelerate and be prepared from day 1. I think after so many wins over Kiri she simply underestimated her and was not that ready which cost her the match.

By: Aaress Lawless

Aaress Lawless — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:14:38 +0000

Sharapova’s performance of late has been rather alarming, as even though she is relatively young, the rest of the field is passing her by rapidly.

Maria Kirilenko revealed some serious holes in the Sharapova armor, and Sharapova’s not nearly as invincible or intimidating as she used to be to the other players. Without a decent serve or faster foot speed, she’s going to have a rough season.

Great article, Chris! Thanks!

By: Paula Vergara

Paula Vergara — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:25:23 +0000

Chris – great article! My take on Sharapova’s slow start/early exit at the AO is that she doesn’t accelerate (mentally) quite as quickly as some other players, and maybe for good reason. Henin and Clijsters took an “indefinite break” from tennis by choice, and their return was also a choice, without the burden of injuries or fear of re-injury. Sharapova’s 10-month break was not a choice, and her return to the top of the women’s game has been uncertain and pressure-filled. That’s not to say Sharapova isn’t mentally tough, but it may be that her shoulder injury has left her a bit more cautious.