Maria Sharapova Quotations | Page 3

Reaching the No. 1 ranking has been a lifelong goal of mine, and achieving it here in Los Angeles would have been a dream come true. I am eager to get back to feeling 100 percent healthy and playing as soon as possible.

Oh God, I don't know what I'm doing here right now, ... I'm so excited to be in the semis, it's an amazing feeling.

A couple of points in the third set made a difference to the end result, ... When I was 1-5 down, I played very relaxed and tied the score but at 5-all, she held her serve after she had a couple of lucky points and it turned her way. I should forget this loss because I had two good weeks in Russia and will take positive things from my game today.

Do you remember what Richard III said about wearing the crown?

As a player, I want to know that line calls are as accurate as technology will allow. In that sense, today's announcement is great news for all players.

That's why I play tennis, because I want to be number one, not because I want to be number 10, ... If you don't want to be number one in the world, then there is no reason for you even to start.

That's not the way I like to win matches, but anything can happen in tennis.

That's makes it even tougher but that's what it's all about. That's why we're here, for the competition. I love it when it gets tough.

You're playing a great champion, someone that's obviously achieved a lot in her career. And she's still young. Any opponent that I see across the net, I cannot think about whether they're terrible or they're great. I can't put that in my mind.

You never know what to expect in the first round. I did enough to win and I'm pretty satisfied.

You practice hard and work on a lot of things, but the actual competition is totally different. I was just trying to get in a groove.

This is something I've dreamed of all my life, ... It's just an amazing fact to be No. 1 in world. Topping it off, I am the first Russian. I'm so excited that I could achieve it.

A lot of it has to do with her seeing the ball early, and she knows what you're going to do.

You don't want to pull out because it's a Grand Slam, but it's hard when people expect you to win.

There were a lot of ups and downs. There were times when I felt like couldn't make anything.

This is unbelievable, I don't know how I'm in the final. This is crazy,

There was a lot of rustiness, ... The first match (after a layoff) is always tough. You practice hard and work on a lot of things, but the actual competition is totally different. I was just trying to get in a groove, get my feet wet.

It was definitely not easy. We were breaking each other's serves left and right out there. It was a miracle when someone held serve. I just tried to hang in there. It's really tough being down two set points. But I gutted it out in the first point, then had an easy second point.

It was definitely not easy. It was a miracle when someone held serve.

It was a lot tougher than it seemed. I needed to find a way to win every single point. You know, it's all right. Still got through it without serving great.

It was disappointing to lose today, but it won't have any impact on my game in China,

It was the first day that it's been really hot like this. It's good to get through these kind of matches and I'm looking forward to the next one.

It was really close in the first set, and then I just went for too much at the wrong times. She's on a big winning streak and that is giving her more and more confidence.

It was a very tough match. I came here to win and didn't want to lose early, so I'm relieved to have that first win.

It's absolutely amazing, I can't believe I pulled this match out today, there were so many ups and downs, and somehow I found a way to fight, but a lot of credit to Nadia, she played an amazing match,

It's actually shocking. Before I was trying to lay off the whole thing, saying, ‘I'm not worried about it, it's not important.' But you know, once you get there, it's, like, wow!

It's the first time for me to throw beans at the media. It's kind of revenge.

It's going to be a very big test because I haven't beaten her yet. I've done pretty well in the past few weeks. It's not always easy coming back from a Wimbledon win, and now I'm going to play a top seed on a hard court. I'm very much looking forward to it.

It's good that I ate some chocolate cake last night, ... I'm glad I put on a few pounds. Otherwise, I might have blown away out there.

It's good to finish the year with a win. But I didn't want to win like that.

It's hard to get going when your body isn't there and your mind is on your pillow.

It's hard to predict things, but I'm sure it's going to be a good match.

It's been a good year so far. I reached number one in the world at 18.

That's one of the first times I played a match without feeling anything.

That makes it tougher, but that's what it's all about,

It's like he's Mr Perfect and nothing's going wrong for him at this point,

It's so windy today I'm really glad I had a piece of chocolate cake last night or else I would have been blown away out here.

Eight weeks ago, I wasn't sure if I was playing tennis again. So to be out here feeling healthy and being able to move and hit my shots, that part alone feels great to me, let alone actually playing well. So now all of a sudden I'm faced with the reality that I can actually go enjoy the Open this year because I'm doing a few things right, which is nice to feel. I like where I am right now.

It's an amazing achievement. That's all I really can say.

It's disappointing but no hard feelings, ... I know you can't win everything and you're going to lose sometimes. I'll go home and train now and get ready for the U.S. Open.

New York hasn't ever seen the best of me.

It's very unfortunate. She played unbelievable tennis, the best I've seen her play. She played basically out of her mind in the second set, and it was so close in the third set.

I wanted to say that I am happy for this win. But now I just want to say that I am sad for Milagros. I wish her the best, and I want her to know that she should be very proud of the great week she had.

I wanted to say that I am happy for this win, ... But now I just want to say that I am sad for Milagros. I wish her the best, and I want her to know that she should be very proud of the great week she had.

It will be really exciting playing Martina. I've never played her before. Obviously, it will be a tough match.

I twisted my ankle early on and I felt it a little bit. I was a little bit distracted but it got better game by game after that,

I want to play for Russia, I definitely want to play for Russia in Fed Cup competition,

Not many people can say that they're No. 1 in the world, ... If I can have it for an hour, for a week, just the fact that you're No. 1 is an amazing feeling.

It's never easy coming back after being a set up and then being up 3-1 and all of a sudden it becomes 3-all. You know, it's going to be a different match from there. But I guess I was playing the right way yesterday. When the rain started coming down, the conditions got a lot heavier. I was rushing it a little bit. I guess it was good just to have a good night's sleep.

Every tournament I come into I want to win. I have been playing very good and I'm very confident. I don't think anything can stop me -- unless I lose!

The fact you are No. 1, it just puts a smile on your face,

I'm going to be busy these next several weeks rehabbing, training and getting healthy so that I can play my very best for myself, the fans, tournaments and sponsors in 2006. I tried my best to fight through my injuries during the season, but I now realize that I need to take some time off to rest my body and get back to being 100 percent healthy. I look forward to regaining my form and playing at the same highly competitive level that I have in the past. This has been such a disappointing year for me because I'm such a competitive person and I like to win for myself and for my fans.

I'm not going to admit it, even if I am.

I hope to be able to play (the Gold Coast) in 2007, and will be doing everything possible in consultation with my doctors to be healthy enough to play this Australian Open.

I hope this event will serve as an opportunity to foster a boom in tennis in Korea.

I'm 17 years old and there are many great things ahead. If I don't win the U.S. Open this year, it's not going to be a disaster in my life.

I love to look elegant and this dress is very light and cool, ... The best thing about tennis is that you can wear cute little dresses and express your individuality.

I love Miami. There's a lot of entertainment going on. Some of the tournaments on the tour are pretty boring. This isn't one of them.

I'm very disappointed I am not able to continue my play in Philadelphia. I was having a really good tournament and I'm sure it will still be an exciting final weekend. I just wish I could be a part of it.

I'm naturally a lefty. I do a lot of things lefty. I write with my right hand but I throw and kick with my left foot and left hand.

I know that I did not win this match fairly, ... I do not like such victories.

I know that in a few years when I do improve little things in my game by one or two percent that I will get better.

I knew it was going to be tough. I came out hitting a lot of winners. I felt like I was playing great. After the second set, I didn't feel like I was there. I felt like I was making too many errors. I managed to get it back (in the third set).

I knew I had to be consistent against her. That's her biggest strength, being consistent. She's not going to overpower me on the court. She's just going to try to make me hit another ball. I thought I did that really well. I took my opportunities, took my chances, and that was important.

I knew I didn't win this match fairly. I don't like such victories,

I knew she would not overpower me. I just had to be a little patient.

I knew she would be very patient and I tried to be extra-patient. I knew she wouldn't overpower me.

I knew she was a strong player and played well in Beijing but I must admit I just wasn't myself on the court today,

I kind of gave it all I had in the tiebreaker and just basically ran out of gas in the third set. Physically, I have to get a lot better and play these three-setters where the points are going to go on and on. Today's match is a great example that it's physical.

I kind of gave it all I had in the tie-breaker,

I'm playing pretty well, but it is going to get tougher and tougher.

Im just like every other girl who likes to shop, likes to look good, likes to spend time with friends

I'm running in Central Park like every single day, getting my movement, still trying to get my arm stronger.

I'm very happy to win the inaugural title,

I'm very pleased. I definitely stepped it up in this match. I knew I had to. It was very important that I did step it up. I took my opportunities, took my chances, and that was important.

I needed to keep on attacking as it is difficult to keep rallying with her.

I'm not the biggest fan. I'd rather watch something else than tennis.

I'll be seeing headlines: Maria can't get past the semis; Maria can't last the third set, I think it was a good match. I didn't come in the best prepared ... without many matches, to be able to play the quality of tennis I was able to play today is a big plus.

I now have two titles (singles and doubles) under my belt and it feels great, ... I think with these things, it is a matter of time. If you put in the hard work - and I have worked so hard - I think this week really showed and it paid off.

I remember not being very patient with her, ... A lot of things have happened since then. Hopefully I can use my experience to beat her.

I love playing in front of the New York City fans. But fighting New York City traffic is the worst.

I know I didn't win this match fairly,

In these windy conditions, it's hard to go for your shots. I think I just try to get the ball in play, hit it deep, you know, get in the point rather than try and hit a winner.

I just look over there for inspiration, motivation. You know, sometimes when I'm a little bit flat, they get me going.

I hit a shot. I turned away. The next thing I know, the crowd went silent, and I turned around and she's on the ground. I feel terrible for her.

I hit a good, deep return and Samantha made some errors, she tried to go for too much and she gave me easy ones to put away.

I hope everything will be all right, though when the tournament starts it may be different, but so far it's all right.

I heard she's got a big and powerful game,

I haven't really seen much of how she plays. I've heard she's got a big, powerful game.

I haven't played a lot of matches, so I'm just trying to get used to the conditions, the stadium, the wind, playing under the lights for the first time in a while. When you're out for a little while, first match you're a little tentative. The injury, you don't know how it's going to be. So far it's OK.

I have to feel safe in order to perform well,

I played well today, ... I started off strong but then I made a few mistakes and she capitalized. She's a good player and has a strong return. I just tried to play my game and in the end I got the win.

I played two players of completely different styles today and that took some time adjusting.

I played really well in the first set but then I just got too comfortable. I wasn't physically tired but mentally I was coasting. I just had to get myself together mentally and fight for it.

I played really well in the first set but then I just got too comfortable,

I played really solid tennis. I played smart tennis. I took out her strengths. It's just exciting to beat someone that's playing such amazing tennis, especially after having a tough few months. I feel comfortable with the pace that I'm hitting and with the way I'm moving.

I played really sloppy on my serve. She took advantage of that and started hitting winners right and left.

I put extra pressure on her second serve and I was in control on most points,

I played great tennis this week. It was a tremendous effort for me to be able to play two really tough matches yesterday and still play a high level of tennis today. In the first set it was just one or two balls didn't go my way I guess, and then after that I was physically tired from yesterday.

In the second set, mentally I wasn't there and I didn't have any motivation. I wasn't fighting, I basically gave up.