Still in her Nike practice gear with her ponytail swinging and her forehead faintly perspiring, Maria Sharapova would have been tough to miss recently in a quiet Toronto hotel, even if she hadn't introduced herself. Minutes after politely excusing herself for a quick change, the striking 24-year-old reappeared in a designer-without-trying-too-hard look.
It all may appear to come easily to Sharapova, but her cool demeanor on court and in public masks an industrious work ethic and competitive fire that are evidenced by her status as the world's highest paid female athlete. Whether slamming serves on the court, poring over sales reports for her Nike-designed line or tidying up before the cleaning woman's arrival, the tennis champ is not one to leave anything to chance. She certainly has had plenty of practice, beyond the four hours she trains each day with racquet in hand and another hour in the gym. Sharapova was only 11 when Nike first signed an endorsement deal with her. Last year the activewear giant upped its commitment considerably with a reported $70 million deal with Sharapova that extends through 2018.
Martina Navratilova was the first to recognize her potential, plucking the then-7-year-old from a Moscow tennis clinic and suggesting she attend Nick Bollettieri's tennis academy in Florida. When potential investors in the academy started sitting in on her practices on a regular basis, that registered with the savvy youngster that she might be becoming a contender. But performance, not praise, remains her mission.
“I don't think words always give your confirmation. I think you have to prove it. I think that's why I love my sport so much. My life is controlled by wins and losses. It's all in my hands. It's not in the hands of someone who can control my life or control my career, or make me famous, whether it's an incredible magazine or a high-profile boyfriend,” she said. “I have always been really passionate about my own life and the things that I have achieved I have achieved with my own hands, and with the help of many people and my parents. But at the end of the day, all my successes come from my tennis.”
Sharapova has had a resurgence of late after struggling for the last few years due to a recurring shoulder injury. After getting knocked out of the Rogers Cup in Toronto in the third round, she went on to win the Cincinnati Open two weeks ago. With last year's champion Kim Clijsters pulling out of the U.S. Open because of injury, Sharapova is now one of the favorites of the tournament and, as the third seed, will square off against Heather Watson in a first-round match slated for today [MONDAY] barring any Hurricane Irene-related delays.
Along with the tennis crowd, Sharapova will have plenty of support from her sponsors' staffers — Nike, Cole Haan, Tiffany & Co., Tag Heuer, Head, Canon, Evian, Gatorade, Sony Ericsson and Clear anti-dandruff shampoo. Her ranking may have fluctuated in recent years, but her business prowess is nothing but consistent. Next up is Sugarpova, a candy line due out later this year or in early 2012.
Interestingly, topping Forbes' 2011 list as the world's highest paid female athlete for the seventh straight year is one accolade that doesn't seem to faze her. “Forbes is a very interesting and strange list. Any information that people tend to find about money is just so bizarre to me. How does anyone have contact to how much money people are making? There are yearly lists of highest paid this and highest paid that. You sometimes think they have a direct contact to your financial manager,” she said. “Obviously you [can] know how much somebody gets for a movie role or for a contract, but as for anyone's overall earnings I think that's a person's private business. Anyone can just assume, so I don't think those lists are as accurate as people think they are.”
So does she think she isn't top-ranked? “Oh no, I don't know. People make a much bigger deal about money than they should.”
She seems to appreciate the value of things, perhaps because she saw how her father worked construction in the Florida sun to bankroll her training. Relocating to the U.S. also meant that the Siberian-born blonde did not see her mother for two years, since her father's work visa only allowed for one family member to accompany him. The trio has long been reunited in the States, often spending nights together at each other's California houses, since “there is no real formal place where somebody lives,” Sharapova said.
And this country's many conveniences have yet to fade. “For someone from Russia, the idea of getting in your car in your garage, going to the supermarket, taking a trolley, finding everything in one place, taking the cart back to your car, driving home and taking the elevator from your garage right into your kitchen — those things are too much,” she said.
Her ride — a black Jaguar XKR — and her massive engagement ring from her NBA-playing fiancé Sasha Vujacic are some of the few signs of indulgence. Given her take-charge business acumen, it's not surprising that she “would rather drive than be a passenger.”
That might explain why she makes a point of reviewing “all the financial stuff” — bills, sales reports and what have you — even though her mother helps with that side of things. “I like to be aware and to be a part of that, and not just let other people take care of your things,” she said.
Throughout a far-reaching interview, Sharapova is conversational and likeable and talks about a lot more than just sports. Apparently having more than 5 million Facebook friends hasn't alienated her from liking nothing more than spending a night in with some friends she grew up with, or met along the way. “I don't need to go to a fancy restaurant or to wear a high pair of shoes to make myself feel good. I am happy sitting on the floor watching TV and eating pizza,” she said.
Relaxed as that might sound, she can still dress with the best of them. After ditching her workout clothes, she turned up for this month's interview in Isabel Marant pants, a Topshop top, a three-year-old Balenciaga jacket and Cole Haan ballet flats — the line's bestseller that she helped design. Asked for a few favorite designers, she singled out Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Rick Owens, Alber Elbaz and Phoebe Philo. Burton dressed the tennis star for the British Council's pre-Wimbledon party.
