Maria Sharapova: Why 2011 Wimbledon Will Define Her Career

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 25, 2011

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Former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova is only 24 years of age. It seems like the Russian beauty has been around forever. That is because 6'2" Sharapova has been winning majors since she was 17 years old, turning professional a decade ago.

The Russian plays right-handed, employing a two-handed back-hand. Much of her power comes from her non-traditional swing volley when approaching the net. She plays with enormous aggression on her shots regardless of the score. Sharapova never gives in to any situation on court with a safe, “not to lose” attitude. She goes for her shots.

Favoring the liquid surfaces—hard court and grass, the Russian's game comes alive as the balls fly fast and hard.

Enhanced by deceptive foot speed, Sharapova plays the angles, sharp and deep with tremendous power and accuracy. In 2008 she added a sliced backhand and experimented with a drop shot.

Essentially, however, Sharapova’s tennis arsenal is built upon a powerful first and second serve.  Sharapova has blasted serves in excess of 120 MPH, counting on service winners or weak responses to allow her to take control of the ensuing rally. 

Her serve has always been the springboard for the rest of her game. When Sharapova suffered a rotator cuff tear back in 2008, it reduced the effectiveness of her serve. The result was an overabundance of double faults as the Russian struggled to put the ball in play.

The source of her problem, however, was not discovered until late summer of 2008. Eventually surgery on the shoulder required a long layoff from tennis.

Earlier, with the abrupt retirement of Justine Henin in May of 2008, Sharapova ascended to the top spot, taking over the No. 1 ranking as the Belgian cleaned out her locker with instructions to remove her ranking points. Exit, stage right.

Sharapova, however, playing at the 2008 French Open on her least favorite surface, fell early, losing the No. 1 ranking aft...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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