A Day with Maria Sharapova Maria Sharapova Is a Native of Russia Who Lives in the United States

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A Day with Maria Sharapova Maria Sharapova is a native of Russia who lives in the United States. At a photography session with the 911 in California, we talked with the world tennis star about home, Porsche, and top performance in sports.

Interview by Viktoria Wohlrapp Photos by Axel Koester

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Maria Sharapova at the wheel of a 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet in Los Angeles

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CHRISTOPHORUS | 364 MARIA SHARAPOVA

Maria Sharapova likes Ms. Sharapova, what would you say is relaxing and spending time with myself. fast cars; as she American about you? “Making lms is a refreshing But I’m always around people, which I’m puts it, the 911 is a passion for her I really enjoy the convenience of everyday break from my everyday not always in the mood for. It’s also im- life in the United States. Everything is eas- portant for me to set my own schedule. ier and more accessible. I enjoy the Ameri- life of working nonstop can lifestyle. to be the best tennis player Right now you’re involved in work on lms for Porsche here in Los Angeles. Do you Why did you choose the United States as in the world.” like being in the limelight? your main place of residence? I enjoy having dierent experiences. It’s a Because my father and I were convinced that it oered the best training opportu- nities for my tennis career. We saw how many famous athletes have come from the United States, and also that many athletes from abroad trained here successfully.

And what would you say is still Russian about you? A lot! You never lose your roots. Even though I now live in the United States, my formative childhood years were in Russia. e culture, the society, the language— you really absorb all of that in the rst few years of your life.

How does the Russian part of you show? Probably in my realistic mentality. Of course I have goals and dreams, but I have a very clear view of my chances and possibilities. at is very Russian.

You’ll be acting as an ambassador for the The model, the 911, and the photographer: Setting the scene in Los Angeles 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. It’s an incredible opportunity for me to give something back to my country. Sochi is beautiful, and people should experience that. is city on the coast of the Black Sea is wonderful, and it’s just an hour away from eling, so I have to feel at home in many dif- refreshing break to make lms, because it’s the Caucasus Mountains, one of the most ferent surroundings. What’s crucial, how- so dierent from my everyday life of prac- beautiful mountainous regions in the world. ever, is that I feel at home in my heart. tice and working nonstop to be the best tennis player in the world. What should tourists make sure to see there? And your actual physical home? e city’s parks and its spectacular beach - My house is very important to me, precise- But what is it like on the tennis court— es. A lot of open-air concerts are held there. ly because I travel so much. I think if you wouldn’t you prefer to just play without It’s beautiful to hear the sea and listen to always live at home, it’s easy to forget how the cameras capturing every detail? good music at the same time. lovely that is—the little things you really It’s just part of it for me to be observed. appreciate, familiar places and routines. People are evidently interested in my move- at sounds marvelous. By the way, in what Coming back from a long trip makes you ments and my appearance. I had to get used language do you dream? realize how nice it is to be home. to that quickly. I dream in both, English and Russian. Could you imagine living a life far re- Are there any photos out there that you What does “homeland” mean to you? moved from the spotlight? can’t stand? “Homeland” is where you feel at home, but it Yes, I can. But I don’t know if I’ll ever have Not many. When I’m in a private setting also has a domestic side. I’m constantly trav- that (laughs). Let’s put it like this: I enjoy and unaware that someone has their camera

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CHRISTOPHORUS | 364 MARIA SHARAPOVA

Porsche has high standards. We are one of them.

trained on me, well, that can be unpleasant. car. To them it represents a certain per- For that you need technique, tness, and I was even photographed in a bikini on a sonality or a certain look. A Porsche is strength of mind. Which is the most beach with friends. a visible statement of taste and individ- important? uality. All three of them are key factors. Tech- Yes, the paparazzi … nique and tness are always fundamen- Fortunately, that doesn’t happen very of- You’re a Porsche driver yourself—what tal. But sometimes your mentality makes ten. I think everyone has to do their job, fascinates you about the 911? the crucial dierence in victory or defeat. and the photographers have theirs, too. It’s terric fun to drive a 911. It embodies ere are times when it’s not a matter of You just have to accept that. power and emotion—and it’s just very, very being the fastest or the most talented, but rather having the strongest mentality. In long matches, especially, you have to be tougher in the end than your opponent, and want to win more than she does.

A huge amount of self-sacri ce is needed to achieve that. I practice six days a week, with about four hours a day on the court and usually an- other hour in the tness room. And I also devote a lot of time to physiotherapy treat- ments, all the more so if injuries are involved. I constantly have to take care of my T:11.023” B:11.4” shoulder, for example. S:10”

How do you care for your body so that you can put in top performances at fteen tournaments a year? It’s absolutely essential to stay healthy. at’s true for everyone, of course, but pro- fessional athletes are probably even more aware of this. You need to avoid injuries and Having the sea in the background means a lot to Sharapova: always do the right thing. Over the years “Wherever there’s water, I feel comfortable” I’ve learned what’s good for my body and the best way to prepare for tournaments. Nothing compares to experience. In addi- tion to lots of practice and physiotherapy, Do you have favorite photos? fast. I’ve always liked fast cars, and have a nutrition plays a big role. And, not to for- I love black-and-white photography, and I passion for my 911s. get, enjoying life! also like portraits and shots of people not looking directly at the camera. at makes Some people even nd cars sexy. them more natural, more realistic. at’s easy to understand. e Porsche 911 Turbo S, for example, is denitely sexy. What types of settings produce the best © 2013 Exxon Mobil Corporation. Mobil, Mobil 1 and the 1 Icon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. Other trademarks shown are property of their respective owners. pictures? Let’s talk about sports. What do you do Maria Sharapova e sea! Wherever there’s water, I always to put in top-level performances time and was born on April 19, 1987, in the feel comfortable. e sea makes me feel time again? western Siberian town of Nyagan. She moved to Bradenton in Florida at the like I can run around and splash in the wa- It doesn’t happen overnight. It requires ™ age of seven, and enrolled two years For years, both Porsche and Mobil 1 have been pushing the limits in their respective ﬁ elds – ter like a child. And you can see this de- years of hard work to be able to do your best later at Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy so a partnership was inevitable. Today, Mobil 1 is the only motor oil trusted to protect even the light in the picture of course. on demand. You also have to go through a there. A top-ten player, Sharapova has most advanced Porsche engines. It’s a match made in the lab that continually proves its worth learning process to be conscious of all the already won all four Grand Slam on the road. Can a car be a star too? hours of practice you’ve put in, which en- tournaments (Wimbledon, US Open, Learn more at mobil1.com Yes, absolutely. e car is often the rst ables you to believe in your ability. is Australian Open, French Open), and she thing that people see when you’re driving. self-condence is essential for bringing also took top honors at the Porsche at’s why some people choose a certain everything out at the right moment. Tennis Grand Prix in 2012 and 2013. © 2013 Exxon Mobil Corporation. Mobil, 1 and the Icon are trademarks or registered of Corporatio n one its subsidiaries. Other shown property their respective owners.

911 (TYPE 991) CO2 emissions: 289 g/km to 194 g/km, Fuel consumption (combined): 12.4 l/100 km to 8.2 l/100 km 28 911 CARRERA 4S CABRIOLET (TYPE 991) CO2 emissions: 236 (217*) g/km, Fuel consumption City: 14.4 (12.9*) l/100 km, Highway: 7.6 (7.1*) l/100 km, Combined: 10.0 (9.2*) l/100 km * with Porsche double-clutch transmission (PDK)

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