Wimbledon 2006 Biography: Maria Sharapova

Most Americans may think that Maria Sharapova came from out of nowhere to win the 2004 Wimbledon final, but the truth is, the former world’s number one ranked tennis player and part-time model has been playing since the age of three.
At the age of six, while in a tennis clinic in Moscow, Sharapova was spotted by Martina Navratilova, who urged her parents to get her serious coaching in the United States.

Barely able to make ends meet, Sharapova’s parents took a risk. Sharapova and her father traveled to Florida to enroll at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy.

Speeding up, in 2004, after a spectacular run, Sharapova became the third youngest Wimbledon women’s champion and second youngest in the Open Era by defeating defending two-time champion Serena Williams in straight sets (6-1, 6-4).
She also became the first Russian ever to win that tournament and followed it up with a victory at the season-ending WTA Championships, knocking off Serena Williams yet again. From June 2004 until her Wimbledon semifinal appearance in 2005, Sharapova had a 22-match winning streak on grass.

Sharapova couldn’t defend her Wimbledon title last season when she was beat by Venus Williams 6-7 1-6 in a thrilling match. Sharapova also lost in the semifinal of the 2005 US Open against Kim Clijsters and the 2006 Australian Open to Justine Henin-Hardenne in the semis.

At this year’s French Open, with Sharapova battling an ankle injury, she was shockingly eliminated in the 4th round by Dinara Safina. However, she is currently ranked at No. 4 in the world, and is seeded at No. 4 for the 2006 Wimbledon.
Not only is Sharapova a knockout off the tennis court, but on it as well.