Maria Sharapova Showing Her Rehab Was Successful

Written by: Staff on 8th June 2012

Maria Sharapova Showing Her Rehab Was Successful

epa03253279 Maria Sharapova of Russia returns to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic during their semi final match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 07 June 2012. EPA/STEPHANE REIX |

While she’s glad to be back atop the WTA for the first time in four years after reaching the French Open final, Maria Sharapova cannot forget the rehab battle she faced over two seasons due to a shoulder injury.

The LA-based Russian who last lifted a Grand Slam trophy in January, 2008 in Melbourne, then suffered through two seasons of pain with a shoulder operation followed by months of physical work and a slow return.

She got the payoff two months after turning 25 by moving into her first Roland Garros title match, to face Italian surprise packet Sara Errani.

“It’s a long road back, it’s a long process,” said the three-time champion at the majors. “It’s a lot of days of frustration and uncertainty not knowing if you’ll ever get there, not knowing how much you want it, not knowing whether it would be a moment like that for you again.

“There’s definitely a lot of tough things you have to go through to get to this point, but when you get here and you look back at the things that you did and the work that you put in and the toughest days that you can remember, it’s all really worth it.

“I’ve played tennis since I was four years old. I committed myself to this sport. I’ve always loved what I did. When it was taken away from me for a while, that’s when I realized how grateful I was and how lucky I was to be playing it,” said the highest earning woman in world sport.

Amid her comeback, Sharapova changed coaches and hitting partners, and is now working successfully with Swede Thomas Hogstedt

Topics: 10sballs.com, French tennis news, Maria Sharapova, Russian tennis news., Sharapova, Sports, Tennis News, Thomas Hogstedt