“You can’t really shy away from noise if you want to be a champion in New York City.” These are the words from Maria Sharapova, who actually didn’t grow up enjoying playing or actually being in New York City. However, things changed following her first maiden hard-court grand slam at the 2006 US Open, as she learned to “embrace” the energy of the place. “Ever since my victory [in 2006], I’ve loved it”. Even though she retired from professional tennis in 2020, the fear of a missing “critical biomechanical element” in her serve likely still lingers.

On Friday, Maria Sharapova, along with her fiance, Alexander Gikes graced the courts of the US Open while a tough semifinal clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Emma Navarro was in full swing. Despite Navarro’s efforts to rally the home crowd, Sabalenka’s dominance proved too much to handle. The former World No. 1, who won her second grand slam(first at 2004 Wimbledon) in the Flushing Meadows, stunned her fans as she dolled up in a chic yellow ensemble! But besides Sabalenka’s victory, the other highlight of the match was Sharapova’s quick wit and playful jabs at her own reaction during the clash!

Maria Sharapova was in a deep conversation with her fiance with a worried face as the camera spanned towards her. The US Open’s official X account paid their tribute to her through that clip by adding, “She’s an icon, and she’s the moment. 🌟Great to have you tonight, @MariaSharapova!” in the caption. However, the 37-year-old former player couldn’t help but poke fun at her intense persona and hilariously remarked, “😅 I look like I just missed a second serve return on break point and saw my coach’s reaction 😆.”

Earlier in her career, Sharapova’s first and second serves were considered powerful. But in 2008, at the age of 26, Sharapova started to have problems with her right shoulder. Following which, she had surgery to repair two torn rotator cuff tendons. When she came back to the tour 10 months later, her serving was not as reliable as before. This even led her to lose the following years’ hard court Slams in early rounds(only reaching 2012 SFs). She then withdrew from the 2013 United States Open because of a same shoulder injury.

“No matter if you’re up or down, [the crowd]…is able to lift you up or falls hard for the underdog. You feel like there’s so many flows within a match from the crowd,” said Sharapova, who visited New York for her second ‘Champions of Equality,’ event in honor of the women players who have fought for equality in the sporting world. However, when it was her turn to shine in the US Open after her grand slam victory, Maria Sharapova’s heartfelt words inspired fans worldwide!

“I had a lot more in me,” Maria Sharapova said after her US Open victory

When Maria Sharapova demolished Justine Henin by 6-4, 6-4 in the final clash in the US Open, it ignited a new fire in the Russian player, who achieved a total of 36 singles titles in her career. Moreover, be it finishing the career grand slam or winning an Olympic gold medal, Sharapova stormed into the world of tennis with confidence!

After her 2006 US Open victory, she had a similarly optimistic tone as she said, “I experienced it two years ago, and I knew that I wasn’t done, I had a lot more in me,” referring to her Wimbledon victory over Serena Williams in 2004.

Furthermore, Maria Sharapova added, “This is not just preparation that happened a couple weeks before the tournament; this is the preparation that I’ve done ever since I was a little girl with the help of my amazing family.”

However, as we find her enjoying in the same place after more than a decade, it is indeed a moment of delight for all of us and her touch of humor and humility is certainly adding more to it!