"I am waiting for simple things"

Maria Sharapova - one of the most recognizable and chic athletes of the planet - ended her career

The great Andre Agassi was once asked: "What in a word would you describe Maria Sharapova?"

"Gorgeous!" - without blinking an eye, the bald veteran answered, who knows a lot about both girls and in the battles on the court. And it’s hard to disagree with him.

The girl from the Siberian hinterland on the venues separated by a net always looked irresistibly (her earrings and dresses were discussed on all fashionable sentences). And she beat the ball so powerfully and sexually, accompanying every blow with a branded cry, from which some were squealing with delight, while others grabbed his head. Many generally began to watch tennis at the beginning of the zero because of Masha, which made a sensational breakthrough into the elite and took the “Wimbledon” before his age.

A little later, she will win the final WTA championship, again overcome in the steep battle of Serena Williams. At 18, she will first lead the rating of tennis players and spend 21 weeks on the throne as a whole.

I would still not dare to call her outstanding. To the titles of Martina Navvartilova, Steffi Count, Chris Evert, Monica Selesh and sisters Williams, she did not reach. But women's sports and tennis in particular are a story not so much and not only about medals and records. Otherwise, Anna Kurtnikova, who did not won a single serious trophy during his career, would have long been forgotten. But she is remembered, because beauty is a terrible force. And Masha, may the wife of Enrique Iglesias will not be offended, also opponents on the court beautifully and boldly put on her knees. In the final of US Open-2006, she will luxuriously deal with JuSTIN ENEN, in a decisive match on the Australian Open-2008, Anu Ivanovich will remove. She will submit to Rolan Garros. In the unloved French soil in 2012 and 2014, she will laid Sarah Errani and Simon Halep. But at the Olympics in London, the aggressive Masha was “lost” in silver.

But pretty quickly she overtook everyone according to advertising contracts. It seemed that without the participation of Sharapova nothing was sold in this world.

Manufacturers of sneakers, hours and panties lined up in line and dreamed that Masha put a word for their goods.

One European journalist aptly noted that Russia is associated with Americans with Ovechkin, Putin and Sharapova. At the same time, in our country, the popularity of Mary was not so sky -high. Moreover, its belonging to Russia is not only fans, but also the brothers in arms - Nikolai Davydenko and Evgeny Kafelnikov - have repeatedly called into question. Which, in fact, is understandable.

When the future champion turned 8 years old, her father, having 700 dollars in his pocket, took her to the famous Braidenton Academy of Nico Bolletieri. Since then, Maria Yuryevna retaining Russian citizenship has been living in sunny Florida.

In addition, the tennis player, arrogant in every sense, defiantly did not communicate with colleagues in the tour. He added the heat and her harsh dad, who was frantically ill for his daughter, not embarrassed in expressions. Once, during the match, he wished Anastasia Myskina to die, after which each arrival of Masha’s drawing of the Federation Cup resembled a thriller. Shamil Tarpishchev had to show miracles of political correctness and reconcile the partners in the command of the teeth. I once asked Maria: "Do not interfere with the fact that" classmates "do not complain to you?"

“These are their problems,” the queen answered dryly and turned away.

The very sharapova problem began in 2016, when Meldonia was convicted of use. True, she did not unlock and at a special press conference stated that for 10 years she took the drug exclusively for therapeutic purposes. The court took into account its recognition and reduced disqualification from two years to 15 months. However, it was expelled from the WTA rating. Maria, possessing an unbending character, returned, of course, and even won the tournament in the Tianjin, but even with the naked eye it was clear that her best gamies and sets remained in the past. The game no longer captured her as before. And chronic shoulder injuries did not make it possible to smear rivals on the court.

“My ligaments were rubbed like strings,” Masha said after one of the operations.

... And yet, Sharapova announced the end of her career quite unexpectedly, although she admitted that her final decision was influenced by the death of Kobe Brian, whom she wanted to turn to the advice ... And in a farewell touching essay, she wrote: “Looking back, I understand that tennis was my mountain. The trail was dotted with valleys and loops, but the view from the top was amazing. However, after 28 years and five “large helmets” I am ready to conquer a new height and fight in another territory. In the meantime, I am waiting for simple things. Sensations of peace with family and leisurely gatherings for morning coffee. ”

Thank you, Masha. And pleasant appetite.