Sharapova to focus on singles in Olympics

Get short URL

Published time: May 07, 2012 16:59
Edited time: May 07, 2012 21:13

Maria Sharapova says she will focus on her bid to win gold in the singles at the London Olympics. The world number two has been discussing her plans for the tournament while also criticizing recent ITF initiatives.

­“Singles is the most important thing for me,” she told the Sport-Express paper. “For my whole career I have focused on my individual performance. If you remember, I played mixed very rarely at Grand Slam tournaments. The only example I can recall was with Maksim Mirny.”

“The same concerning doubles,” she continued. “I understand that if I focus on singles then I will have only one chance to win an Olympic medal. But it’s very important to feel fit and fresh playing at every tournament, which becomes more difficult when you play doubles and singles during one day.”

The 25-year-old said she would like to go to the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. However, the recent ITF ruling obliging players to participate in most Fed Cup and Davis Cup matches has puzzled the Russian.

“I don’t think the Fed Cup should be associated with the Olympics. If a player’s schedule allows them to participate in Fed Cup matches surely they will do it. But imagine a situation when you’d played three years for your national team but couldn’t participate in the fourth one. Even though your rating allows you to play at the Olympics, you won’t be admitted,” Sharapova said.