Sharapova Sweeps Australian Open
By JOHN PYE,
AP
Posted: 2008-01-26 08:16:33
Filed Under: Tennis
MELBOURNE, Australia (Jan. 26) – When Maria Sharapova walked on court for the Australian Open final, she kept thinking about the sage advice of another champion.
“Champions take chances, and pressure is a privilege,” Billy Jean King had written in a text message that Sharapova saw when she woke up.
“I took mine,” fifth-ranked Sharapova said after beating Ana Ivanova 7-5, 6-3 Saturday for her third Grand Slam title.
Sharapova, who didn’t lose a set in seven matches, was clearly determined that nothing would stop her after winning only three games against Serena Williams in last year’s final.
Source: AP
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Teach her chess and you won’t have to worry about popularizing the game. Since she’s Russian it’s probably in her blood anyway.
I once saw a documentary on Nick Bollettieri’s school, where Sharapova was a student. Besides tennis drills, the students were taught how to deal with the media and the public, which included lessons on showing the sport in its best light. Advice was given so as not to embarrass oneself or the sport. This is something that a lot of adult players in chess could learn.