Five-time Grand Slam champion, Maria Sharapova was destroyed by her arch-rival Serena Wiliams 6-1, 6-1 in just 59 minutes in the first round of the US Open 2019 on Monday.
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However, the Russian cautioned the ones who are writing her off after crushing defeat by old foe Serena Williams. The former world No.1 suggested that her self-belief is still intact after a disappointing first-round loss at the Flushing Meadows.
Maria Sharapova has been struggling since returning from a 15-month drugs ban in 2017. The 32-year-old has played eight Grand Slam tournaments since her return and reached the quarterfinals only once. She also has been knocked out three times in the first round in eight attempts. However, Sharapova insisted that she will continue fighting as she believes in her ability.
“I don’t think of it as setback or traction,” Sharapova said. “I have to keep going. There’s no other way. There’s no easy road about it. I can phrase it in so many different ways and terms, but I still have to go out and I have to do it.”
Sharapova continued, “The bottom line is I believe in my ability. You can write me off. There are many people that can write me off, especially after going down 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of the US Open. As long as it’s not the person that’s inside of you, you’ll be okay.”
Maria Sharapova has slipped to the 87th rank in the WTA rankings after another season marred by injuries. The 2006 US Open champion further explained that it is strenuous to face an opponent like Serena Williams when you don’t have much match practice.
She said, “It’s facing an opponent that’s at her stature is extremely difficult in the first round of a Slam, coming in with the fact that I haven’t played that much”
Sharapova concluded, “It’s not an easy road. It’s never been. But I went through a shoulder procedure about four months ago. To find myself playing at a night match at the US Open with people excited about the matchup, it’s a pretty big deal. I’m fortunate to be a part of that.”