Sharapova kisses dad Yuri.
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Maria Sharapova paid tribute to her devoted parents after becoming the first
Russian to win the Wimbledon women's title but then created a big mystery over
the inspiration behind her remarkable career.
The 17-year-old from Siberia became the second youngest winner of the Venus
Rosewater Bowl thanks to a 6-1 6-4 victory over defending champion Serena
Williams.
The brilliant youngster sank to her knees at the point of victory before
making the now traditional climb up to the players' box to embrace her father
and coach Yuri, who had accompanied his daughter's rise to stardom every step of
the way.
She then held up the presentation ceremony while she tried to use a mobile
phone to ring her mother Yelena, who had stayed behind at the family home in
Florida.
"I switched on the phone but it kept switching off," said an ecstatic
Sharapova.
"I owe my mom and dad so much. Me and my dad have been though this together
all through my career. Playing is a lot easier, believe me. I owe him so
much.
"Just thinking about all that has happened in my life," she said. "All the
tough moments we've been through and all the good moments. This is what I wanted
to achieve all my life and it happened. My father is the person I wanted to share it
with."
Sharapova, who is set to climb to eighth in the world rankings after securing
her first Grand Slam triumph, also thanked her American-based coaches, Nick
Bollettieri and Robert Landsdorp, but threw a veil over the mystery inspiration
behind her rise to fame.
"Nick and Robert have been a big part of my life. I want to cut this trophy
up.
"There is one person I'd like to thank but I'm not going to give the name of
that person for inspiring me to win this tournament."
Sharapova later revealed that 18 hours before her big moment Sharapova thought her chance had gone when
she developed a sore throat which she feared would wreck her chances.
"Last night I got a terrible sore throat," she said. "And I thought I was
going to get sick. I mean a Wimbledon final, I was absolutely in tears because I
didn't think anything like this could happen.
"I didn't think I'd be ready to play a Wimbledon final and win. It's
amazing."
Sharapova admitted she had stunned herself by a performance which left
Williams, the six-times Grand Slam champion, reeling.
"It's amazing," said Sharapova. "I'm absolutely speechless, never in my
life did I expect it to happen so fast. It was always my dream to come here and
win but I never thought it would be this year.
"When I came off court and saw my name already on the board of champions
that's when I realised I'd won. That was just it for me. I was looking at the
trophy. I mean it's in my hands, actually in my hands."
But it was no good asking her how she had tamed one of the most fearsome
women's talent ever to step onto a tennis court.
"I don't know what happened in the match, don't know how I won," said
Sharapova, still dazed by her achievement almost three hours after the match had
finished.
"I couldn't care less what was going on outside me. I was in my own little
world. I don't know what that world was really. I didn't think of who I was
playing, just concentrated on what I was doing. I didn't have any tactics. I was
just there to play. I knew the power was in me.
"I'm very surprised. First set was tough but I felt I was in control. In the
second set I pulled it out. I'm a very tough person when I go on court. I love
to win and to fight and I kept believing in myself."
She also revealed that the reason why she left the court after the warm-up and
immediately prior to the match starting. She had needed to go to the bathroom
while waiting to go on court but the Wimbledon usher thrust a bouquet of flowers
into her hands and prompted her to go on court.
"When I got on court I realised I really had got to go," she said.
Sharapova also recalled the sacrifices she had to endure to realise her dream, which included being separated from her mother Yelena for two years while she
pursued her dream in Florida and mum awaited a visa back in Russia.
Had it been worth it?
"Yeah, but I hope it doesn't change the person I am because I really don't
want that to happen," said Sharapova. "I have already told some people if I
change hit me on the head please.
"I know things will start coming up, many more people will start to get
involved. But I just want to keep my head cool. I'm not really into business I
just go out and play tennis."
Her attempts at phoning mum Yelena on court failed but she faces an emotional
reunion in the next 48 hours, in which time she hopes to have recovered fully.
"First I just want to get better," she said. "I want to get this sickness
out of my system. I can't wait to see my mum first of all. I'll be flying to New
York after the (Wimbledon) Ball tomorrow. I can't imagine I'm saying this, I'm
going to the Ball."
She insisted, however, that she is far from satisfied with one Wimbledon
title.
"I'd like to win all the Grand Slams," she said. "Wimbledon is my favourite
and I'd like to win it many more times. Wimbledon was my dream to win, now my
goal is now to be number one. I've always been been a competitor and wanted to
win."
Williams was generous in her praise of Sharapova, having come to her side of
the net at the end to embrace her in the warmest of hugs.
"I was really happy for her because I know that feeling and that moment,"
said Williams. "There's no better feeling than that."
Williams revealed she had put too much pressure on herself to make it three
Wimbledon triumphs in a row.
"I think I put too much stress on myself going into it," she said. "I
really wanted to win more than anything.
"I was so focused the night before, the day before, the week before. I kept
saying 'I got to do this. If I don't do this there's no ifs and buts about it.
I've got to do it'. Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on myself.
"When I play people they normally play their best tennis against me and my
sister. So today I knew she was going to play really well."
But Williams pledged to return refreshed and re-motivated.
"I'm definitely going to triple my efforts, do everything I can to play
better next time. You just can't underestimate anyone," she said.
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