President of the Russian Tennis Federation Shamil Tarpischev: Sharapova found herself
Interview June 7, 2011, Chegorsky N.Roland Garros Debriefing
On Sunday, in Paris, finished the second in this year's Grand Slams - Roland Garros. President of the Russian Tennis Federation and national team captain Shamil Tarpischev, summing up the tournament, called the cause of Maria Sharapova's loss in the semifinals, explained the power of Novak Djokovic, and promised the strongest squad in the finals of the Fed Cup. "Zvonareva was not used to the new balls"...
Shamil Anvyarovich, "Roland Garros" for our girls first shaped up initially very successful. But neither Sharapova nor Kuznetsova reached the final. Therefore, some precipitate remained ...
"There was ... indeed, the potential in the finals to play with Kuznetsova, Sharapova and Pavlyuchenkova to reach the semifinals. On the quality of the game, they looked very well. In general, the situation in women's tennis is now unstable. The competition has grown. When to win the tournament series "Grand Slam" claim immediately 8-10 sportswomen certainly emerge plus new stars. For example, one can speak of the German Petkovic, our Pavlyuchenkova.
"But I am especially happy for Sharapova - Maria found herself. She reached the semifinals at the main clay tournament of the season! Although it is not her favorite surface. In the match with Li she summonded up her first serve. But then strong winds on the court and tall athletes, like Masha, always have difficulty in such weather.
"Kuznetsova, as always, beat herself, and Pavlyuchenkova still lacks experience... Very sorry for Vera Zvonareva. She never adjusted to the new hard balls, which they decided to try on the clay courts of Paris this year. Vera had is not enough time, just weeks to fully get used to them, to pick up the necessary racquet tension."
- What is special about them?-
"Balls pumped up and covered more than a tight rubber. This novelty decided to try the organizers of Roland Garros. Their goal is clear - first they wanted to make tennis move the more quickly. This is somewhat equalizes the chances of athletes, especially those who are used to playing fast and aggressive. So the trend of recent years - Tennis averaged to a consistently quick rebound of the ball on any surface. This adds to a game of improvisation..."
"That's the way the world works... right now." --Maria Sharapova at 17