July 17, 2011
In 2004, a fearless Maria Sharapova rose to prominence as a 17-year-old phenomenon, upsetting Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final to win the first Grand Slam title of her career. The young Russian achieved great success as a young woman, ascending to No. 1 in the rankings in 2005 before going on to win the 2006 US Open and the 2008 Australian Open. Sharapova looked poised to have a promising future ahead of her.
But at the end of 2008, Sharapova sustained a shoulder injury that required surgery and intensive rehabilitation. By the time she was ready to make a return to the tour, Sharapova had dropped in the rankings to No. 126.
Slowly but surely, Sharapova has fought her way back to the top of women’s tennis, fighting through inconsistencies in her game upon her return. In 2011, Sharapova won in Rome, nabbing the biggest clay-court title of her career, in addition to reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, the semifinal of the French Open, and the Wimbledon final.
Despite making several deep runs in the Grand Slams, Sharapova has demonstrated great inconsistencies in her play, especially in the later stages of the major events.
Sharapova’s biggest weakness has been the inconsistency of her serve. In some matches, the Russian’s serve can be a major weapon, but her serve has cost her in other matches.
At the 2011 Australian Open, Sharapova committed 28 doubles faults in four matches, five of which occurred in her fourth round loss to Andrea Petkovic. In that match, Sharapova won only 56 percent of points on her first serve and 38 percent of points on her second serve. In her first three matches at the Australian Open, Sharapova averaged 29 winners per match, while in her fourth-round loss to Petkovic, Sharapova hit only 16 winners while committing 30 unforced errors.
In her French Open semifinal match-up against Li Na, Sharapova committed 10 double faults, struck only 12 winners, and committed 28 unforced errors. The Russian won only 60 percent of first-serve points and 43 percent of points on her second serve.
Similarly, at the Wimbledon final, Sharapova hit 6 double faults, struck only 10 winners, and committed 12 unforced errors. She won 58 percent of points on her first serve and 27 percent of points on her second serve.
Sharapova has always struggled with her serve, but she seems especially to struggle in the latter stages of a Grand Slam. Until she gains control of her serve, she will not be able to get back to the very top of the game. Not only does the former world No. 1 gift free points with her double faults, but her struggles also take away easy point opportunities, sap her aggression, and induce sloppy play. Her serves seem to falter when she is under the greatest pressure, suggesting that nerves play a role in her losses.
Do you agree? What must Sharapova do to reach the top once again? Resources : http://www.mariasharapova.com/
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