Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (born April 19, 1987) is a Russian professional tennis player who is currently ranked World No. 1 but will lose this ranking to Ana Ivanovic when the rankings are updated on June 9, 2008. She has won three Grand Slam singles titles. In 2004, she beat Serena Williams to take the Wimbledon title at the age of 17. Two years later, she defeated Justine Henin in the final of the 2006 U.S. Open. At the 2008 Australian Open, she beat Ana Ivanovic in the final. Sharapova has been ranked in the top 10 since winning Wimbledon in 2004, the longest of any current female tennis player.At the end of 2006, Sharapova was the world's highest-paid female athlete.
Playing style
Sharapova has been labeled as a power offensive baseliner by tennis critics and fans. She is noted for having an excellent double-handed backhand and serves, particularly for the power and placement of these shots. She is also noted for having a good forehand. Her shots are penetrating and flat which support her offensive power game. Likewise, critics claim that for her height, Sharapova has decent agility on-court.Sharapova also is not a traditional volleyer, instead using a powerful "swinging" volley for net approaches.Sharapova usually serves for placement, but uses enough power on her first and second serve that attacking that stroke is very difficult for her opponents. She has been trying to develop her "all-power" game, while also adding in slice, drop shots and drop volleys.
Playing styleSharapova has been labeled as a power offensive baseliner by tennis critics and fans. She is noted for having an excellent double-handed backhand and serves, particularly for the power and placement of these shots. She is also noted for having a good forehand. Her shots are penetrating and flat which support her offensive power game. Likewise, critics claim that for her height, Sharapova has decent agility on-court.Sharapova also is not a traditional volleyer, instead using a powerful "swinging" volley for net approaches.Sharapova usually serves for placement, but uses enough power on her first and second serve that attacking that stroke is very difficult for her opponents. She has been trying to develop her "all-power" game, while also adding in slice, drop shots and drop volleys.