Maria Sharapova: ELIMINATED ROUND 1 OF AUS OPEN?!

I..

Am..

Shocked..

66 unforced errors in 32 games?

Is this the same women who won the Australian Open 2008 in straight sets?

:confused:

She's probably suffering from a lack of confidence. I watched some of the 2nd set and the end of the 3rd, and she just seemed like she was out of it or something.

Then again, I'm not up there, so i can't really judge.

Her opponent wasn't that great. They were both at a equal level. Same age, Same country, they played each other in prior tournaments, with equal results.

I agree with 03white, it must have been lack of confidence.
When I looked at the draw I was almost convinced it would be a easy win for Sharapova.
It's definitely unexpected..

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Originally Posted by Robyna

Her opponent wasn't that great. They were both at a equal level. Same age, Same country, they played each other in prior tournaments, with equal results.

I agree with 03white, it must have been lack of confidence.
When I looked at the draw I was almost convinced it would be a easy win for Sharapova.
It's definitely unexpected..

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equal level?! Sharapova has had success at slams whereas Kirilenko struggles in small tournaments! The fact that they are from the same country and the same age has no relevance.

You guys have to hear me out on what goes on witht these players in the offseason. I can't say it enough. It isn't that they have lost it. Look up the pictures of Sharapova partying at all hours of the morning with musicians in rockbands. Geez. Need any more explanation than that? I am sorry, but in the tennis business nowadays, if you snooze, you lose. She is not putting as much time into her tennis anymore. She used to train relentlessly, but now, she is hungry for more than tennis titles. She is a beautiful young woman who is chased by handsome guys everywhere she goes. She goes to the finest places, drives the finest cars, drinks the finest wines, and hangs out with bigwigs, movie stars, and musicians. Do you think the motivation is there like it used to be? Sorry, it isn't. She can still play, but until she stops going out, partying, and really trains like there is no tomorrow, she is going to slide backwards. These other girls are training their butts off and if she does not, she will have to settle for back of the pack. If she trains, she will do well. She is not moving as explosively to the ball or nearly as smoothly as she used to and that is causing her to not be prepared as well for her shots. That usually is a sign of not training enough......

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Originally Posted by Lawn Tennis

equal level?! Sharapova has had success at slams whereas Kirilenko struggles in small tournaments! The fact that they are from the same country and the same age has no relevance.

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Right. Yet, Sharapova had to have operation on her shoulder and has hardly been playing tennis for like, what was it, 1 year and a half years? That gives her a big disadvantage in ground strokes and serves. Oh, and the past doesn't really matter, you see, I'm talking about NOW, she could have won those grand slams but do you think that makes her the stronger player, putting in thought the fact she DID lose? People simply assume that cause Sharapova was former world number one she has to win, and they get dissapointed she lost and say 'She was world number one and all those grand slams!' but do you think that made her any less better/worse on the court with Kirlenko? They were at the equal level considering all those things.
And actually, being the same age does matter. Because you see a 40 year old who has the same training levels as a 20 year old may not be able to achieve as much. Oh, yeah, and so does country, because if you had listened to Kirlenko's speech after the match she said something along the lines of 'I versed Kirlenko in a international tournament when we were little and won, so that gave me a lot of conifdence in this match today'.
The only reason I'm shocked is at her lack of confidence and effort. Oh, and all those errors.

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Originally Posted by tennisking1

You guys have to hear me out on what goes on witht these players in the offseason. I can't say it enough. It isn't that they have lost it. Look up the pictures of Sharapova partying at all hours of the morning with musicians in rockbands. Geez. Need any more explanation than that? I am sorry, but in the tennis business nowadays, if you snooze, you lose. She is not putting as much time into her tennis anymore. She used to train relentlessly, but now, she is hungry for more than tennis titles. She is a beautiful young woman who is chased by handsome guys everywhere she goes. She goes to the finest places, drives the finest cars, drinks the finest wines, and hangs out with bigwigs, movie stars, and musicians. Do you think the motivation is there like it used to be? Sorry, it isn't. She can still play, but until she stops going out, partying, and really trains like there is no tomorrow, she is going to slide backwards. These other girls are training their butts off and if she does not, she will have to settle for back of the pack. If she trains, she will do well. She is not moving as explosively to the ball or nearly as smoothly as she used to and that is causing her to not be prepared as well for her shots. That usually is a sign of not training enough......

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LOL, you and that party stuff! :D

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Originally Posted by Robyna

Right. Yet, Sharapova had to have operation on her shoulder and has hardly been playing tennis for like, what was it, 1 year and a half years? That gives her a big disadvantage in ground strokes and serves. Oh, and the past doesn't really matter, you see, I'm talking about NOW, she could have won those grand slams but do you think that makes her the stronger player, putting in thought the fact she DID lose? People simply assume that cause Sharapova was former world number one she has to win, and they get dissapointed she lost and say 'She was world number one and all those grand slams!' but do you think that made her any less better/worse on the court with Kirlenko? They were at the equal level considering all those things.
And actually, being the same age does matter. Because you see a 40 year old who has the same training levels as a 20 year old may not be able to achieve as much. Oh, yeah, and so does country, because if you had listened to Kirlenko's speech after the match she said something along the lines of 'I versed Kirlenko in a international tournament when we were little and won, so that gave me a lot of conifdence in this match today'.
The only reason I'm shocked is at her lack of confidence and effort. Oh, and all those errors.

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Ok thanks for that. Now we all know that the fact the Federer has won 15 slams does not imply he is capable of winning in the future. :)

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Originally Posted by Lawn Tennis

LOL, you and that party stuff! :D



Ok thanks for that. Now we all know that the fact the Federer has won 15 slams does not imply he is capable of winning in the future. :)

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Yet the fact his kept his title of number one in the world does, doesn't it? :)

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Originally Posted by 03White

She's probably suffering from a lack of confidence.

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She was probably suffering from lack of clothing. No complaints though...

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Originally Posted by Lawn Tennis

LOL, you and that party stuff! :D



Ok thanks for that. Now we all know that the fact the Federer has won 15 slams does not imply he is capable of winning in the future. :)

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It's the truth though. She is known for her love of the nightlife. She never had the money to do those things when she first was coming up. Now she has more money than she can spend. It happened to Capriati, Hingis, and many others. It isn't always partying either. It's the desire for a social life, a boyfriend, time to herself. Normal things that she has never had. She had an enormous amount of pressure put on her when her father came to the U.S. with $700 bucks and a dream of making her great. She has been the family bread winner for years. I think her mind is elsewhere other than tennis. She comes to the tournaments and plays hard, I give her that, but I see a lack of preparation in her game.

I am curious about a top 20 player's alcohol policy... do they ever drink when they are in training? Once a week? During the off season?

Personally, I've found that alcohol is the enemy of tennis - maybe it has something to do with my body type. For that reason, I try to avoid drinking whenever possible (unless it is a social or business occasion where it is unavoidable)...

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Originally Posted by tennisplayer

I am curious about a top 20 player's alcohol policy... do they ever drink when they are in training? Once a week? During the off season?

Personally, I've found that alcohol is the enemy of tennis - maybe it has something to do with my body type. For that reason, I try to avoid drinking whenever possible (unless it is a social or business occasion where it is unavoidable)...

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The ones who do well don't drink, at least very little. Once you have a couple, you talk yourself into staying out a little later and then not only do you have to detox the next day, you don't get enough sleep. The better shape you are in, the more it affects you. It affects the insulin levels and makes you feel terrible the next day. Nothing wrong with a glass of wine every now and then, but I have seen Sharapova TRASHED! I went out with Martina Hingis a few times when I was hitting with her toward the end of her #1 reign (2000-2001) and she would have a few. Not a very good way to deal with stress and pressure. I found that the more the players go out with non-tennis players who party, the more susceptable they are to partying. Those musicians that I have seen Sharapova with couldn't do a forty yard sprint without having an ambulance come to the scene to administer CPR. They are grey-skinned and haven't seen sunlight in forever. Now there are a lot of musicians who keep themselves in shape, but not the "emo" group that I saw her with. A strong wind would knock those guys to the ground.

Good to hear an insider's perspective, TK, thanks. I'm fortunate that unlike some of my friends, I am not particularly enamoured of alcohol.

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Originally Posted by tennisplayer

Good to hear an insider's perspective, TK, thanks. I'm fortunate that unlike some of my friends, I am not particularly enamoured of alcohol.

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You aren't missing anything. To be honest with you, I have been around enough drunks to where I avoid them like the plague. They annoy me and being I have a quick temper, it is best for me to stay away from those situations. Sharapova still loves tennis, I am sure, but I think she yearns for a normal life and wants to experience it before it "passes her by". It's nice to have grounded people out there like Henin. The only time you will probably find a beer bottle in her hand is when she is using it to knock that sorry ex-husband of hers up side his head.

^Probably not a very pleasent experience for him.

Lol, and about alcohol, my mom has drilled it in to me like a million times that you can be happy w/o it, and she thinks that if I try it even, I'll probably get addicted so she's told me not even to touch it...

Speaking of upsets, Kim Clijsters is out, losing to Nadia Petrova. The quarterfinals seem to be easier now for Henin.

The Henin match kept me up till 11:30, i'm glad she held out.

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Originally Posted by tennisking1

The only time you will probably find a beer bottle in her hand is when she is using it to knock that sorry ex-husband of hers up side his head.

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Ha ha! That's funny! I agree, Henin seems to be a really nice preson, in spite of her great achievements.

Maria Sharapova's loss seems almost normal now.. in.. comparison.. to.. Kim.. Clisjters.. losing.. in.. FIFTY TWO MINUTES..to.. Nadia Petrova.

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Originally Posted by Robyna

Maria Sharapova's loss seems almost normal now.. in.. comparison.. to.. Kim.. Clisjters.. losing.. in.. FIFTY TWO MINUTES..to.. Nadia Petrova.

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Now I know Kim Clisters just had a bad day. Those do occur, but Sharapova has shown a consistent decline for quite awhile and the pictures of her "staying out a bit too late" are definitely out there. I think the real problem is that she doesn't train hard for awhile and then she tries to squeeze it all in just before the big tournaments and she just isn't prepared and ready for hardcore tennis.

^She seemed a bit inspired in her press conference.

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Originally Posted by tennisking1

Now I know Kim Clisters just had a bad day. Those do occur, but Sharapova has shown a consistent decline for quite awhile and the pictures of her "staying out a bit too late" are definitely out there. I think the real problem is that she doesn't train hard for awhile and then she tries to squeeze it all in just before the big tournaments and she just isn't prepared and ready for hardcore tennis.

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I was hoping she'd follow in Henin's footsteps and make a comeback, but I was just shocked..

Maria would party, she's a actress/model/celebrity/athlete/fashion designer [explains her choice of clothing for the matches?]. The women doesn't lead a normal life, if you ask me, everything in her life is a rush. But it's sort of admirable, everything in her life, she's worked for.. or you know, at least she used to, money seems to come from all corner for her now.

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Originally Posted by Robyna

I was hoping she'd follow in Henin's footsteps and make a comeback, but I was just shocked..

Maria would party, she's a actress/model/celebrity/athlete/fashion designer [explains her choice of clothing for the matches?]. The women doesn't lead a normal life, if you ask me, everything in her life is a rush. But it's sort of admirable, everything in her life, she's worked for.. or you know, at least she used to, money seems to come from all corner for her now.

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That's right. I doubt she hangs out with any tennis players at all. The problem with that is her friends don't understand or even care about her schedule. Those rock stars don't wake up until mid-afternoon, so I imagine she gets phone calls and invitations to do things at all hours. I doubt she turns them down. I don't blame her for wanting to have some fun and lead a "normal" lifestyle, but there is nothing normal about that lifestyle. She is going to kill her legacy if she doesn't recommit herself to her game. Doing the photo shoots, attending fashion shows and concerts, designing outfits, partying, traveling to do all of these things takes away from her time on the court. Any wonder why she is having issues? I also believe that is why she had injuries. Her packed schedule away from the court made her rush her training before tournaments and she tried to pack too much in to her training in too little time. Injuries are inevitable when you do these things.

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Originally Posted by tennisking1

That's right. I doubt she hangs out with any tennis players at all. The problem with that is her friends don't understand or even care about her schedule. Those rock stars don't wake up until mid-afternoon, so I imagine she gets phone calls and invitations to do things at all hours. I doubt she turns them down. I don't blame her for wanting to have some fun and lead a "normal" lifestyle, but there is nothing normal about that lifestyle. She is going to kill her legacy if she doesn't recommit herself to her game. Doing the photo shoots, attending fashion shows and concerts, designing outfits, partying, traveling to do all of these things takes away from her time on the court. Any wonder why she is having issues? I also believe that is why she had injuries. Her packed schedule away from the court made her rush her training before tournaments and she tried to pack too much in to her training in too little time. Injuries are inevitable when you do these things.

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I think for her, there's a lot of confusion on the whole celebrity lifestyle/professional athlete's lifestyle. In the celebrity lifestyle, she is EXPECTED to party till late hours and hang around with the biggest name's of 'Hollywood', and attend events life fashion shows, photo shoots, concerts eg. ,like most celebrity's do. But for professional tennis players, it should be close to the opposite. they don't need the level of fame or publicity a celebrity expects. so, for Maria it would be like all cameras on her, people see her as a celebrity, and she's not saying no to it.
yes, she does need to recommit herself to the game. she needs to just stop the whole 'celebrity''fashion' thing and actually take some time out and focus on her training. she needs to realize that she can't be a TOP PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE and be the best of celebrity stars..

TK of course, has the inner path to enlightenment.
Safin. JohnDaly in golf. Beckham. LamarOdom in basketball.
Sometimes, the party life is more attractive than practicing and drilling.
Injuries and distractions are often our path FROM greatness.
Besides, who can concentrate on tennis looking at Krilenko on the other side?

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Originally Posted by LeeD

Besides, who can concentrate on tennis looking at Kirilenko on the other side?

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You're saying Sharapova was distracted by Kirilenko's hotness? So you're saying she's a lesbian? That's a nice idea....;);)

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Originally Posted by LeeD

TK of course, has the inner path to enlightenment.
Safin. JohnDaly in golf. Beckham. LamarOdom in basketball.
Sometimes, the party life is more attractive than practicing and drilling.
Injuries and distractions are often our path FROM greatness.
Besides, who can concentrate on tennis looking at Krilenko on the other side?

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I don't know how enlightened I am, but I just have been around a lot of these players. Many of them have used tennis to get themselves out of a tough situation. Sharapova was one. They had nothing when they came over and now she has everything. Besides, she is more of an extrovert versus the introverted Henin. If Henin had 70 unforced errors, I would wonder what on earth went wrong. But with Sharapova, I am pretty sure I am right. I've seen her 10 sheets to the wind a number of times. And you may be right about the injury getting her on that path. I am not sure about where it all started. I know that there is a lot of jealousy and such towards her on the tour because she is such an icon (or at least was) and I am sure it is much more fun to hang out with the partiers and such as they are more accepting and less competitive than the other ladies on the tour. I am certainly not fussing at her for her choices, but if she wants to be as good as I know she can be, she will have to recommit. At 23, she didn't just lose her game. If she were that injured, she wouldn't play the tournament. There are a lot of excuse makers out there and the easiest thing to point to is an injury. Of course, if I had 10 Jaegerbombs the night before training, I would have injured something too. Probably my face when I landed on it after passing out in mid stride..........

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Originally Posted by AlexLogan

You're saying Sharapova was distracted by Kirilenko's hotness? So you're saying she's a lesbian? That's a nice idea....;);)

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lol, control yourself Alex.

lol..
In some of the pictures of her during the match she looked high then..

Necessity is the mother of invention, so your point about being forced to be good makes sense.

My dad's dad lost his job and my dad had to work really hard in school to go to college.

Now that she has whatever she wants, there are really no incentives.
She's already quite famous.