‘You Have to Always Be Lonely’- Russian Tennis Player Gets Real on How Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova Dictated the Way Friendships Work on the WTA Tour
Follow Us
The American tennis legend, Serena Williams and the Russian tennis legend, Maria Sharapova have given the tennis realm some of the most remarkable and miraculous performances on the court. Notably, the current generation of players on the WTA tour has regarded them as their role models. But, the Russian tennis player, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova doesn’t fall into the same category of players who regard Williams and Shaparapova as ‘great’ role models.
The 31 years old made the surprising revelation after she came back on the tour from a horrible knee injury. Pavlyuchenkova further revealed how she was wrongly influenced after witnessing their attitude toward other players. She also said that she tried “to copy them” but it didn’t go very well for her.
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova as her role models
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Russian tennis player has finally made a comeback on the tour after a long absence due to a knee injury. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was quite amused when she got a warm reception from her fans and fellow competitors at Adelaide International. She was later asked about the same during an interview with the WTA Insider.
Pavlyuchenkova answered by mentioning her role models, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. She said, “When I was younger, we always had role models like Sharapova, Serena, and most of them were very distant.”
Trending
‘I Was Already Salty’- Serena Williams Pokes Husband Alexis Ohanian Over His $180 Million Master-Stroke for Their Daughter Olympia
May 03, 2024 08:01 PM EDT
Coco Gauff Soars to New Heights With $5.3 Billion Worth Sponsor as She Announces Delightful Sneaker Surprise for Fans
May 04, 2024 07:30 PM EDT
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek’s Nail-Biting Madrid Final Forces Chris Evert to Break Her Long-Drawn Silence With a Stirring Message
May 04, 2024 10:39 PM EDT
Italian Open 2024: Jessica Pegula’s Unfortunate Exit Prompts Partner Coco Gauff to Pick Aussie WTA Star as Doubles Partner
May 05, 2024 07:10 PM EDT
Tennis It Couple Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa Decide to ‘Amicably’ Part Ways in Heart-Breaking Update for Fans
May 05, 2024 02:52 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
42-Year-Old Venus Williams Confounded by Serena Williams’ Recent Antics at Her Mansion as She Issues a ‘Big Sister’ Statement
The 31 years old went on to say that they were going so well during that period. It further made her think that “being distant” will also help her make a mark on the tour. Notably, Pavlyuchenkova said that she tried “to copy them.”
Even some of her former coaches also influenced her by saying “you have to always be lonely, keep distance between players.”
They further told her to keep a distance from fellow competitors on the tour because she might be playing against them. Consequently, it affected Pavlyuchenkova’s attitude toward others as she felt quite “intimidated” by them.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Pavlyuchenkova also revealed how current-generation players are different
When it comes to the current-generation players, Pavlyuchenkova has a different opinion about the same. She stated that her fellow Russian tennis players like Daria Kasatkina are a lot different from that generation. The 31 years old went on to reveal that they are quite conversational and talkative. They are also very friendly whether in the locker room or in other places like restaurants.
Pavlyuchenkova further stated that she has started learning a lot more from them. She added that she also likes to hang out a lot around them. It further helps her to handle the pressure of the tournaments.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you think of Pavlyuchenkova’s comparison of the players? Let us know in the comments section.
Edited by:
Arijit Saha