Maria Sharapova Fan Site

Olympic Spotlight on…Maria Sharapova

Interview with Maria Sharapova (RUS) (MP3 format)

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Q: How excited are you about the Olympics?

MS: I’m very excited. It’s every young boy’s and girl’s dream to participate in the Olympics. To actually know that it’s coming up in a few months is very exciting and I’m very looking forward to being a part of it.

Q: You’ve talked about when you were growing up, you imagined being at the Olympics.

MS: I did. It was one of the things that my parents allowed me to watch on TV late. One of those was the opening ceremony. I remember being up at one in the morning because I’d have to wait until Russia would come up. Obviously, that’s a later letter in the alphabet. So it was very exciting.

And I remember them wearing their white berets. I used to have a similar one, so I’d put it on while they were walking and pretend like I was part of it. Those were some great memories.

Q: Did you ever really think you could have the name Maria Sharapova Olympian?

MS: When I was younger, I imagined myself playing Wimbledon, but I never thought ‘Maria Sharapova, Wimbledon champion.’ So anything is possible. The exciting thing about the Olympics is that it comes only once in four years. It’s a dream come true for every athlete. I’m just very excited about the whole experience.

Q: When you watching as a child, what did you think you were going to be participating in?

MS: When I was watching it, I was already playing tennis. So, of course, I was hoping that I’d be a tennis player, which I am. But, you know, in Russia, figure skating was a huge sport, and gymnastics.

Q: What is you favourite moment in all the Olympics you’ve watched?

MS: Always my favorite parts were the stage where all the athletes received their gold medals. Each one would come up for the bronze, the silver, then the gold, then the anthems would be. You see the emotion in each athletes’ eyes. That was very cool to see.

Q: Can you imagine what it’s going to be like walking out with the Russian team?

MS: I don’t know. I’m getting chills just thinking about it. You know, it’s really surreal. My imagination of it is just picturing all these athletes in this one big room getting lined up to go outside in front of thousands and thousands of people.

Q: Who would you like to meet in Beijing if you get the opportunity?

MS: I’d love to meet my fellow Russian athletes from different sports because we never really get to chat or even meet. So especially the ones that are doing really well, you know, in gymnastics and stuff like that.

Q: If you did happen to medal, where would that rank for you with your Grand Slam titles?

MS: It would be incredible. But I think just the fact that I get to participate in it, you know, is an honour. But getting a medal would be incredible.