'Sharapova means business again' - former champ is resurgent ahead of Wimbledon
Fourteen years is an age between Wimbledon titles. To put it into some context, that's almost half Maria Sharapova's life, and most of Naomi Osaka's. But a resurgent Sharapova, who won Wimbledon for the first time as a "baby-faced" 17-year-old in 2004, and who hasn't been to the Champions' Dinner since, will be among the contenders for the Venus Rosewater Dish this summer.
You know Sharapova is back in south-west London when there's a Sugarpova pop-up store in Wimbledon Village. This will be Sharapova's first Championships since 2015, after missing the 2016 tournament through suspension, while she was absent last year because of injury. The 31-year-old comes to the All England Club in some form, after a run at the French Open where she made her first Grand Slam quarter-final for more than two years, though a small asterisk is needed to note how she was given a walkover through the fourth round after Serena Williams withdrew from their match with injury.
LOOK: Wimbledon wildcards - from Sharapova to Navratilova
Sharapova's decision to reconnect with an old mentor, Thomas Hogstedt, has been a good one, according to Lucie Safarova's coach, Rob Steckley.
"I’ve always liked Maria’s game. She’s a true competitor and has proven that she means business yet again. She’s moving well, striking the ball very cleanly off both sides and seems to have got a little boost of confidence now that she is back with her long-time successful coach Thomas," Steckley told wtatennis.com.
Wimbledon is where it all began for Sharapova, with that teenage triumph, and perhaps it will be at the All England Club that the Siberian will score her first major since the 2014 French Open.
"The grass-court season is the season of taking action, with players being tested on how much they can trust their game. Early ball-striking and the ability to want the ball and to dictate is key, and that's something Maria knows much about. She can strike a big ball and is very keen to dictate, and is also not afraid to go down the line with any chance she can get, which is crucial on the grass," Steckley said.
"Two areas to focus on are her first-serve percentage and how well her forehand wing holds up. If both of those are in good form, along with her mental game and backhand, she is always a contender."
In March, Martina Navratilova wrote in her column for wtatennis.com how Sharapova was "in a pickle", which was making the other players "behave like piranhas". But she also noted how it would take just one tournament for Sharapova to regain her form and confidence and for her rivals to think to themselves "Oh, Maria's back"; it would appear as though that was what happened on the clay.
No longer can anyone suggest that Sharapova is in a pickle. Angelique Kerber's coach, Wim Fissette, told wtatennis.com how Sharapova has "been getting better every week, and has been through some tough battles recently".
Backstage at Wimbledon this week, in a corner of the Aorangi Park practice courts, Sharapova was striking the ball with the same intensity she will bring to any appearance on Centre Court. However Wimbledon plays out, you can expect Sharapova to show "effort and professionalism" on the grass, according to Sloane Stephens' coach, Kamau Murray.
"With Sharapova, you always expect professionalism. You also expect effort. She also puts on a good show," Murray told wtatennis.com. "When I look at the tour, Sharapova's one of those players that I enjoy watching as I know the effort's going to be there, the professionalism's going to be there, and I know the intensity is going to be there."
