Sharapova Sees That The Olympics is Different From a Tour Tournament

Written by: Staff on 30th July 2012

Sharapova Sees That The Olympics is Different From a Tour Tournament

epa03324929 Russia's Maria Sharapova serves to Shahar Peer of Israel during their first round match for the London 2012 Olympic Games Tennis competition in Wimbledon, Greater London, Britain, 29 July 2012. EPA/ROBIN UTRECHT |

Maria Sharapova is finding fame has its ups and downs at the London Olympics. She insisted carrying the Russian flag in the Official Opening ceremony was one of the most memorable experiences of her life but suffered the consequences of being one of the world’s most recognizable sportswomen when she visited the Olympic Village cafeteria.

Like the majority of the high profile tennis stars, Sharapova is staying in Wimbledon to avoid a potentially draining commute to and from the Olympic Village on the other side of London each day. But she decided she wanted to bond with her fellow athletes after the Opening ceremony and spent some time at the Stratford Olympic Park.

“I’m usually pretty naïve about like people’s knowledge of me, my career, what I’ve achieved,” admitted a grinning Sharapova after her first competitive appearance that produced an emphatic win over Israel ’s Shahar Peer . “I try to be pretty humble about it, but the biggest mistake I’ve made in a long time was entering the cafeteria. I didn’t walk out eating any food. I barely got an orange juice. It was quite funny. Actually, I didn’t sign any autographs, it was just pictures. I felt like a little statue.”

Third seeded Sharapova, who last month completed her set of Grand Slam titles by winning the French Open, required just 65 minutes to totally outclass 49th ranked Peer with a 6-2,6-0 pummeling that saw the American-based Russian win the last eight games. And the win only added to her affection for the feel of the Olympics.

“The atmosphere is the thing,” said Sharapova who admitted she insisted on making specific changes to her Russian outfit before parading the Russian flag. “It’s not like a Grand Slam, it’s not like Fed Cup. It was obviously a quick turnaround from Wimbledon but the whole thing is pretty unique.”

Clearly some of Sharapova’s delight came from the fact she only served one double fault but she also remembered a tough match against Peer in Miami just four months ago. “She can be dangerous, she’s capable of playing really good tennis so I had to be ready,” said the statuesque 25 year-old. “The tension is high because there are so many players and only one gold medal.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: London Olympics, Maria Sharapova, Olympic Village, Sports, Stratford Olympic Park, Tennis News