Maria did a meet and greet with Turkish junior players. Ayda Uluc, president of the TTF, introduced her to the 20 children. She hit with each of them, held a Q and A session where they asked her questions, signed autographs for them and posed for photos.

Maria says:

"I'm doing well, I got here a little early to get used to everything and play on the courts, get used to be playing indoors and the climate. It has been going really well so far, my foot is doing better and I have about 6 days until the tournament starts so, so far so good.

"It has been great to hit with the children and meet them. I love being involved in developing our sport, in Istanbul especially, one of the biggest developing cities in the world. The Championships is such an exciting event for the young ones who grew up watching tennis on TV and never really had the chance to see it. So it's important that we're here and it's fun when you get to experience that with the kids one on one.

"I'm a competitor and obviously if it wasn't for the Champs I might have taken it a little bit easier and not gotten back on my feet or the court so quickly. But I love this sport too much to not want to give it my all and even if I go out there not feeling 100 per cent, I'm going to do everything I can to win the tournament."

Check out photos here.