Maria Sharapova Wants a Few Days Off to Celebrate French Win

Written by: Staff on 11th June 2012

Maria Sharapova Wants a Few Days Off to Celebrate French Win

epa03256693 Maria Sharapova of Russia returns to Sara Errani of Italy during their final match for the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 09 June 2012. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

Maria Sharapova is taking a handful of days off to quietly celebrate her return to the world No. 1 ranking. But the start of the pre-Wimbledon grass season necessarily means that her break will be short and sweet.

“I’m actually debating with my coach whether I should have three or four days off,” said the LA-based Russian who won Roland Garros over Italy’s Sara Errani 6-3, 6-2. “I’m going for four, he’s going for three, which is very typical.

“I’ll be enjoying for the next three, four days, and then I’m back on the grass courts where I love to be. I can’t wait to step on it and start working and getting ready for Wimbledon.”

The 25-year-old now boasts the confidence of a player who has won all four of the majors and is hungry for more after a long comeback after autumn, 2008 shoulder surgery and a rehab which stretched out of the next two tennis seasons.

“It’s been a long journey. It started from a very young age and it’s not over yet. I have a lot more in me to achieve. I believe in my game, that’s one of the reasons that that’s why I’m sitting here with my fourth one and winning Roland Garros.

“I always believed I could be better, I could be a better player, whether it was on clay, whether it was on grass, whether it was on cement, anything, I always strive to be better.”

Sharapova, who last topped the rankings in 2008, said that she and new coach Thomas Hogstedt made small improvements over the month as her game strengthened. She came to Paris with two clay titles this spring and a load of confidence.

Topics: 10sballs.com, French Open 2012, Maria Sharapova, Roland Garros women champion, Thomas Hogstedt, Wimbledon 202, women tennis news