Funny Cool Stuff

Maria Sharapova defeated second-seed, Justin Henin Hardenne to capture the 2006 US Open women’s singles title at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

The moment she won the last point was a moment she had envisioned, but the reaction seemed spontaneous, as if she had gleefully ripped out a page from her glossy portfolio. She dropped to both her knees on the centre court of Arthur Ashe Stadium, rocked forward the stands to embrace her father, placed a call on her Motorola mobile phone (perhaps to her mother), and blowed kisses to the fans and audiences!

It’s very interesting to see how his father, Yuri Sharapov, held up four fingers to send what apparently was a coded piece of advice to Sharapova. Sharapova then replied by raising four fingers, thinly disguising the gesture as an effort to adjust an imaginary ring.

She posed for photographs with her second Grand Slam trophy, met with members of the media to rehash her 6-4, 6-4 victory over Justine Henin-Hardenne in Saturday night’s final, and stood in the players’ lounge to autograph tennis balls, ticket stubs and other items.

And, much to her chagrin, Sharapova was asked to address again the apparent signals she received from her father and her hitting partner during matches at the Open, including holding up four fingers or waving a banana.

In-match coaching isn’t allowed in tennis, but she and her agent offered this explanation: Sharapova focuses so much on the task at hand when she plays that she sometimes forgets to drink as much as she should to stay hydrated — and the hand signals were simply meant as a reminder.

Read full report on Sportsline.com.

Since winning Wimbledon at age 17 in 2004, she lost in five straight Grand Slam semifinals. Then came her victory Friday over Amélie Mauresmo, the world’s No. 1 player, prior to the final.

Sharapova’s run continued when she beat Justine Henin Hardenne for the championship. She pocketed a fat cheque of USD 1.2 million and another USD 0.5 million for emerging second best in the US hardcourt series run-up to the US Open.

Tagged: maria sharapova, us open, justin henin hardenne, tennis