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Shouldering burden

Maria Sharapova fights a painful shoulder and greater expectations.

By GARY SHELTON
Published July 1, 2007

WIMBLEDON, England - For those of you interested in the anatomy of Maria Sharapova, there is good news. Her hundred-year-old shoulder is holding up just fine.

As for her heart, well, we'll see.

For the moment, it was enough that the gnawing sounds from inside of her right shoulder were quiet. Given the ease with which she dispatched Ai Sugiyama on Saturday afternoon, you might even suggest that her shoulder looked strong enough to hoist another trophy.

First, though, there is a Williams sister in the way.

Later, there may be another.

After that, you may feel free to examine Sharapova's career all over again.

For Sharapova, the Russian from Bradenton by way of a swimsuit calendar, the Williams sisters always have been the measuring stick. Back when you thought Sharapova might be something special, it was because of the way she blew away Serena in the Wimbledon final of 2004. Back when you had second thoughts, it was because of the way she was overwhelmed by Venus in the semis of 2005. And back when you wondered about Sharapova's place in the game, it was because of how decisively she lost to Serena in this year's Australian Open.

So what will her legacy be? Does Sharapova still have a shot at greatness? Or will she be saddled with the double meaning of "pretty good."

Stay tuned.

For a day, at least, Sharapova looked every bit as good as her No. 2 ranking. There was an urgency to the way she played against Sugiyama, perhaps because of the looming clouds that would soon rain out most of Saturday's play, perhaps because she knows there are only so many shots in her right shoulder. She lost only 13 service points and she had 30 winners.

All of which earned her a shot - provided Venus can finish off Akiko Morigami when their match is resumed - against a Williams sister.

For Sharapova, isn't that always the way? Even as the rankings of the Williams sisters have declined, they have managed to foul Sharapova's mood. Why should this tournament be any different?

Perhaps you expected more from Sharapova by now. After all, she was 17 when she won Wimbledon for the first time and showed the competitive streak that separates her from the part-time models of the tour. There is nothing wrong with her calendar sales either, from what I understand, but winning showed there was a toughness to her. It gave her credibility, and it seemed more trophies were on their way.

Since then, however, she has only one Grand Slam victory on her resume - the 2006 U.S. Open. She could use a few more before she is remembered as an essential player.

If not for her dodgy shoulder, Wimbledon might be her best shot for the next big victory. She is 20 now, bigger and stronger than she was in 2005 when she could match neither the fitness nor the ferocity of Venus. It was clear, Sharapova says now, that she had to work on improving her intensity and her strength.

"At that stage in my career, I wasn't really ready, " Sharapova admitted. "I wasn't capable of playing the same tennis for two or three sets. My level really dropped (after the first set). I've always known there was so much room for improvement physically for me."

Health might be nice, too. For most of this year, Sharapova has been bothered by tendinitis in her right shoulder. Already, she has scheduled three weeks off once Wimbledon is complete.

In the meantime, one does what one can. Consider this: Sharapova won her match Saturday in an hour and 15 minutes. She said trainers worked on her shoulder for 21/2 hours before.

"Ice, massage, strength, needle work (acupuncture), " Sharapova said. "You name it, I do it."

Ask Sharapova about the difference between her and the teenager who won Wimbledon three years ago, and she gives a short laugh. Age 20 is not a time to look back. "Maybe my hair is a little shorter, " she said.

Still, there does seem to be a difference. Back then, Sharapova admits that she didn't believe she could win. Now, she seems older, perhaps wiser. She has felt disappointment, pain. There are times she frowns on the court, and it is hard not to wonder if she is happy over the way expectations have changed. Hers as well as everyone else's.

If the shoulder holds up, she has a chance.

If the heart holds up, she could win.

[Last modified June 30, 2007, 21:07:35]