“Thought of the importance of the Wimbledon Ball more than the final,” Maria Sharapova on her top priority when she was set to clash against Serena Williams

“Thought of the importance of the Wimbledon Ball more than the final,” Maria Sharapova on her top priority when she was set to clash against Serena Williams

Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams

Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams

Maria Sharapova lifted her maiden Grand Slam title at Wimbledon when she was a mere 17-year-old. In 2004, the Russian shocked the tennis world when she ousted Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4 in her first Major final. Sharapova went on to complete the ‘Career Grand Slam,’ and announced her retirement just this past year.

The 33-year-old has recently reflected on this life-changing victory at Wimbledon. She has opened up about some other engagements surrounding Wimbledon, like the Champions’ Ball, which preoccupied her mind, even more so than the concluding battle against Williams.

“Felt like the audience was playing with me”- Sharapova

Maria Sharapova

During a podcast appearance on ‘Second Life,’ Sharapova delved into the details of the whole experience. She said, “Going into Wimbledon, with every match that I won, I felt so confident inside. I felt like the grass courts, the tradition, the audience that was watching me, they were playing with me and wanted me to win. I had this youthful fearless energy about me. It was a special two weeks. Those terrific moments in our life are really special. It’s hard to grasp at the moment how memorable they will be or are.”

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The Russian further added that what was of utmost improtance to her 17-year-old self was the ‘Wimbledon Champions Ball.’ This Ball is a tradition practiced proceeding the conclusion of the grass-court championship. It is attended by the freshly crowned winners of the men’s and women’s category. 

Reflecting on this, Maria added, “Upon match point, it was a complete dream come true and then you win it. You think of the Wimbledon ball. And I was a 17-year-old teenager that thought of the importance of the Wimbledon ball more than the final. I was thinking of the dress and I need make-up for the ball.”

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