A joyful Sharapova takes the Wimbledon crown.

Former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade believes Maria Sharapova will continue to let tennis be her focus after claiming the 2004 women's singles title with a stunning defeat of Serena Williams.

The 17-year-old caused one of the biggest upsets in tennis history when she swept to a 6-1 6-4 victory over the number one seed on Centre Court at the All England Club on Saturday afternoon.

The 6ft blonde is the second youngest woman ever to claim the title but Wade feels she has the right attitude to avoid following in the footsteps of Anna Kournikova, another Russian pin-up, who never fulfilled her potential.

Wade, the last British winner of a singles title at Wimbledon in 1977, said: "She is so focussed on the court and I don't think she is going to be distracted.

"She looks to me like she wants to play tennis."

Wade believes Sharapova's performance will have done a lot for the women's game.

"She is fun to watch," Wade said.

"She played so well. I don't think Serena knew what hit her.

"Sharapova was on such a high and in the zone all match. Serena never really fired, but was gracious in her defeat.

"She did not play terribly well and finally having so few tournaments caught up with her.

"Maybe it will show Serena how much she wants to play tennis and to get back on track.

"It would be a shame after winning so much if she then decides she wants to do other things and not let us enjoy her tennis."

Former world number one Tracy Austin - herself a teenage sensation at the All England Club when reaching the quarter-finals in 1977 - believes this will be the first of many Grand Slam titles for Sharapova.

"She is not afraid of hard work and I don't see what is going to stop her," said the two-time US Open champion.

"I think this is the first of many. She is very disciplined and wants to keep the injuries away. She will get stronger and better.

"She held up so well under the pressure... At just 17 years old, she was in total control... just think of all those sacrifices her family made.

"I am sure she will remember this moment - going up in the stands and sharing a hug with her dad who has been with her every step of the way."

Former men's champion John McEnroe added on the BBC: "It is unbelievable she could pull this off."

Austin also felt for Williams, who had recovered from several months out with injury and had to overcome personal tragedy following the murder of her sister, Yetunde Price, last year.

"She was so gracious, coming around the net and giving Sharapova a big hug," reflected Austin.

"She is a lot more thoughtful now and has really been through a lot, with injuries and her family, in the last year."

E-mail Article Print-Friendly Subscribe to RSS Feed
Post to del.icio.us Facebook

	Latest Wimbledon Stories
	AWESOME FEDERER STILL THE KING
	FEDERER: 'I GOT LUCKY'
	FEDERER THE RAINING CHAMPION
	SWISS ACE ON A ROLL
	ROGER FEDERER FACTFILE
	GLORY FOR WOODBRIDGE AND BJORKMAN
	BLACK AND STUBBS TAKE HONOURS
	CARA'S DOUBLE DELIGHT
	RISING BRIT BEATEN IN BOYS' FINAL
	SHARAPOVA THE NEW QUEEN OF SW19