Russian Teen Maria Sharapova becomes Wimbledon Champion

News
from the Moscow
News (03/07/2004), photo from Tennis.Info

Teenager Maria Sharapova
stunned champion Serena Williams 6-1 6-4 in the Wimbledon final on Saturday to
become the first Russian to win a singles title at the championships. The 17-year-old
also became only the second Russian woman to win a grand slam title, less than
a month after Anastasia Myskina became the first at Roland Garros.

Maria Sharapova, photo from Tennis.Info

Sharapova
giggled in disbelief at her achievement after her 6-1 6-4 thrashing of
Serena Williams in the
women’s final on Saturday, Reuters reported. “Serena
actually I have to take this way from you for one year, I’m sorry,” said
the gobsmacked 17-year-old, clutching the famous Venus Rosewater
Dish on Centre Court.



I know there are going to be so many more moments when we’re going
to play. ”I’m sure we’re going to be here another time
and hopefully many more times in other grand slams, fighting for the trophy,
so thank you for giving me a tough match but I’m sorry I had to
win today.“



Sharapova, the first Russian to win Wimbledon, tried to call
her mother in the United States on court but could not get
through on the mobile phone her father Yuri threw down to her. ”It keeps switching
off, I don’t know what’s wrong with it,“ she said. ”I
was trying to phone my mum.“



She thanked her parents and paid special tribute to her father,
who took her the United States when she was seven. ”I know how
tough it

is to watch,“ she said. ”Playing is a lot easier, believe
me. I owe him so much.“



Sharapova said she would definitely be celebrating despite
not feeling 100 percent. ”I got a cold this morning so I hope I will
feel better but I will definitely do something believe me,“ she
said.



Serena was gracious in defeat despite seeing her dream of third
successive title shattered. ”It wasn’t my day today but Maria
played a really great match. Congratulations on your first grand slam,“ she
said with a cheery smile.

Maria Sharapova's Biography:

Maria Sharapova was born
in 1987 in Russia. She moved to USA when a famous tennis player gave an advice
to her father that Maria
should become a professional tennis player, when she was 6.
Since then she trained vigorously winning a few local US championships
and became a professional tennis player in 2001.

Relevant
Links:



Young Russian
women article on Way to Russia.