USEUROPEAFRICAASIA 中文双语Français
China
Home / China / Sports

'Rock star' quality separates Sharapova

China Daily | Updated: 2017-09-01 09:26

Maria Sharapova did not just reach the third round of the US Open on Wednesday, she also showed that she is a rock star who never disappoints her fans, according to former world No 1 Mats Wilander.

"The saying 'the heart of a champion' was invented for her," Wilander, who is at the tournament as an analyst for Eurosport TV, said in a daily chat with Reuters.

"She does not have mental meltdowns. It's amazing.

"She keeps hanging in, hanging in even if she's not playing well and expectations are through the roof for the rest of the people.

"She could easily have let go in the second set, but as soon as she turned the second set around, it was over."

Sharapova saved two break points to hold for 3-3 in the second set and after that won nine of the 11 remaining games.

Wilander said her drive is the key to her success.

"It's not enough to be a good competitor. Good competitors want to win. But with her, you have the feeling she needs to win," he said.

"Today was another typical Maria Sharapova performance. She's been like that throughout her career. The great champions are not always those who have won the most; the great champions become great champions when people have expectations.

"Great champions always deliver. What people come to see, they give it to them.

"They don't come to see Sharapova win, they come to see Sharapova because they know they're going to get her absolute best fight.

"She delivers every single time. That's talent. She's a rock star."

Reuters

Editor's picks
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US