Bitter Feud Between Sharapova And Williams Might Be Over

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 24th June 2013

Bitter Feud Between Sharapova And Williams Might Be Over |

Photo courtesy of Brett Connors photography

Twitter: @Brett_Connors

Wimbledon has rarely known a pre-tournament feud with such intensity as Maria Sharapova took huge affront at the tone of an interview given by the Wimbledon champion Serena Williams in Rolling Stone magazine and in response fired a withering attack.

The pair were clearly at odds with one-another as they blatantly avoided all eye contact before the French Open final just over a fortnight ago. The Williams fueled the flames by a telephone conversation with sister Venus within the earshot of Rolling Stone interviewer Stephen Rodrick.

Although not mentioning Sharapova by name, the subject of Williams’ attack was clear. “There are people who live, breathe and dress tennis. I mean, seriously, give it a rest,” said Serena into her cell phone during a car ride sitting alongside Rodrick.

Sharapova is currently the girlfriend of men’s player Grigor Dimitrov who was previously believed to be in a relationship with Williams. Serena continued her phone conversation by saying: “She begins every interview with ‘I’m so happy. I’m so lucky’ – it’s so boring. She’s still not going to be invited to the cool parties. And, hey, if she wants to be with the guy with a black heart, go for it.”

In Sharapova’s mind the intent was obvious and she chose to cite Williams’ romantic relationship with coach Patrick Mouratoglou who curiously previously worked with Dimitrov. “If she wants to talk about something personal, maybe she should talk about her relationship and her boyfriend that was married and is getting a divorce and has kids,” snapped Sharapova.

“She has so much in her life, many positives, and I think that’s what it should be about. What I do on the court and what I talk about in my press conference is strictly about my career. I’m sure people want to know more, but yet I try to keep my personal life private.

I don’t go out and try to create things that shouldn’t be really talked about. ”

Obviously contrite, Williams used her eve-of-Championship interview press conference to reveal she had apologized to Sharapova at last week’s WTA party on the Kensington Roof Garden. She added that she was “inadvertently” brought into the situation by “assumptions made by the reporter”.

Williams insisted: “Maria and I always have great conversations, so I believe she definitely accepted my apology. I know she [Sharapova] said that I should definitely focus on the tennis and that is something I can take her advice on.

“As for Patrick and I, we can definitely continue to motivate each other. One thing I’m really good at is hitting a ball over a net and into a box.”

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