Sharapova strikes deal
ROME: World No 2 Maria Sharapova said on Monday that she had struck a deal with the WTA over a publicity photo shoot she had claimed she was being forced into on the eve of the Italian Open.
"The timing of the shoot got reduced to about 90 minutes and I did that yesterday," Russia's Australian Open champion told a news conference on the first day of the Rome tournament.
"The compromise was still pretty difficult since it's before a very big event. (But) the time reduction definitely makes it a lot easier than going into a four or five-hour shoot, without (the time for) hair and make-up, which adds another hour."
Triple Grand Slam winner Sharapova had vented her anger about the shoot on her website (www.mariasharapova.com) earlier this month.
She added that she would like the women's game's ruling body to pay more attention to players' needs.
"I've obviously made my point. I didn't feel people were listening to me. I think it's in our best interest to listen to all players," she said.
Sharapova also heaped praise on the British tennis public, saying their warmth is one of the reasons Wimbledon is the tournament she would most like to win again.
"It's just the one that's special to me," said the Russian, who won Wimbledon aged 17 in 2004.
"Obviously, it was the first Grand Slam that I won, but it also has to do with the memories it left me from when I was a junior and the times I played there.
"Just the respect from the people and the appreciation of the sport and a match. I don't think there's (any other) place where (in the) first round of a junior Grand Slam event you see a full crowd at court 19."
Agencies
(China Daily 05/14/2008 page22)
