Former world number one Maria Sharapova described her victory over Samantha Stosur at the Italian Open on Sunday as a new start.
“It’s a new journey. It’s not about me looking back and getting better or worse,” said the 24-year-old Russian who defeated Australian Stosur 6-2 6-4 in a one-sided final. “This is about starting from the beginning and getting better than I was before and improving.
“I don’t think about how I played years ago. I’m not a 17-year-old girl anymore and the tour has changed with different players. You can’t rely on what you had in the past how you were in the past. You have to look to be better.”
Although the victory was her third on clay from a career total of 23, the Russian said she was confident going into Roland Garros. “It would be the most challenging grand slam for me to win but I accept challenges,” she said. “I love them and that’s why I’m a tennis player It would be wonderful to be able to achieve that. It’s just a coincidence I have won other grand slams.”
