This is quite typical of the Russian mentality to strive for the top positions
Traditionally, the US Open starts in New York the last week of August. Lots of tennis fans are looking for seeing Russia's Maria Sharapova, 16. Maria has become a real discovery of this year's Wimbledon tournament and is considered to be a wonderful substitution for Anna Kournikova in the baby-girl role. Maria Sharapova told her life story to journalists craving for sensations. She was born in Siberia and later the family moved to the southern city of Sochi. When Maria was six she went to the USA together with her father. "I wanted to play tennis. My father decided that the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy offered the best conditions." Now the tennis player lives in Florida; she flies by airplane to Los Angeles to have training with her coach Robert Lansdorp.
- What was your opinion when you saw Robert Lansdorp for the first time? They say he is a man of severe temper.
When my father and I got to the tennis court Robert was talking to someone over the telephone, he paid just little attention to us. When he hung up he looked at me and asked my name. I told my name. "What Maria?" I then told my last name, and the coach seemed to like it. Then I went to the court as my father and I usually had warming-up in the courts. But the coach cried behind us that his trainees always played on the backline. This is how our work started. Robert helped me a lot; he made a fighter of me. He taught me to deliver strong and stable shots after shots. This is a required condition to beat such tennis players as Jelena Dokic.
- Do you feel American?
When I am in the US I do, but as soon as I come to Russia I feel Russian again. I hold the Russian citizenship. It is really very interesting: when I watch Olympic Games on TV and see the Russian flag is raised I always feel proud for my country. On the other hand, I've spent half of my life in America where my tennis career developed rather successfully. But I am still Russian!
- What do you parents do?
My father is an engineer. He loves tennis very much; he is acquainted with the father of famous tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov. My mom is a housewife.
- When did you finish cooperating with Nick Bollettieri?
I haven't finished working with him indeed. I still attend coaching with Nick as I live close to his academy; he offers wonderful conditions for training. There are different coatings and I always have an opportunity to find a good sparring partner.
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