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Russian by blood, American since nine
London, June 30: Maria Sharapova, the 16-year-old star wowing Wimbledon after reaching the fourth round by seeing off another statuesque blonde in 11th seed Jelena Dokic, is thriving as she blends the best of Russian and US culture.
London, June 30: Maria Sharapova, the 16-year-old star wowing Wimbledon after reaching the fourth round by seeing off another statuesque blonde in 11th seed Jelena Dokic, is thriving as she blends the best of Russian and US
culture.
Sharapova, originally from Nyagan in Siberia, has lived in the United States since she was nine and is a product of the Nick Bollettieri academy.
While she says she feels Russian she feels close to her adopted home.
"When I'm in America, yes, definitely," she said when asked if she felt American. "When I'm in Russia I feel Russian. I've lived in the US half my life. But my blood is totally Russian.
"When the Olympics are on and when I see the Russian flag go down and the American flag go down I want Russia to win so bad," she insisted.
Bureau Report
Sharapova, originally from Nyagan in Siberia, has lived in the United States since she was nine and is a product of the Nick Bollettieri academy.
While she says she feels Russian she feels close to her adopted home.
"When I'm in America, yes, definitely," she said when asked if she felt American. "When I'm in Russia I feel Russian. I've lived in the US half my life. But my blood is totally Russian.
"When the Olympics are on and when I see the Russian flag go down and the American flag go down I want Russia to win so bad," she insisted.
Bureau Report