|
|
SHARAPOVA ON SERENA, BRISBANE
BRISBANE, Australia - Maria Sharapova, the No.1 seed at this week's Brisbane International, met the press ahead of the Premier-level event, talking about everything from her off-season, her first opponent, Serena Williams missing the tournament, her goals for the 2015 season and much more.
First the tournament, though - with four Top 10 players in the draw, including the red-hot Ana Ivanovic potentially awaiting in the final, Sharapova talked about the absolutely packed Brisbane field.
"It's one of the toughest fields in the three tournaments that are going on around the globe for the women's tour this week," Sharapova commented. "You always want to start off with the toughest competition. It's a tournament I love coming back to - I tried to play here for many years and it was my first time on court here last year, so it's great to be back. I had a wonderful experience.
"I'm looking forward to getting the year started on a good note."
Williams wasn't just the two-time defending champion in Brisbane, she also stopped Sharapova in the semifinals here last year - the Russian was also asked about the World No.1's absence Saturday.
"She's had great success here, so it's always a bit of a surprise for the tournament, but overall we can't really determine who plays, we can only think about ourselves," Sharapova said.
"I was really happy to come back and be playing here again."
Sharapova was then asked to comment about Williams' 2014 season, whether she's "vulnerable" - and the five-time Grand Slam champion gave the 18-time Grand Slam champion all kinds of props.
"It's tough to say someone's vulnerable when they're No.1 in the world," Sharapova said.
"Despite some of the losses she had last year, she still came through strong at the end of the season, mainly at the US Open, she kind of found her ground at the end of the year. She's still very strong and very powerful, and she has so much experience. It definitely shows whenever she's playing." |
|
Post time 16-12-2014 10:39 AM
