That was a welcome refresher from the idea of a professional tour telling its independent contractors to speak to the media with a series of obvious and thoroughly vetted statements. These women are "strong and beautiful." They're certainly not Stepford Wives. They're not talking heads coached to stay on message. They can certainly speak for themselves without overstepping bounds. And they work for themselves; they don't work for their sport's organizing body.
The same is true of Sharapova. She works for herself, and to that end, she and her team are practicing damage control now. Nike. Tag Heuer. Porsche. They've all suspended sponsor ties with Sharapova ahead of her soon-to-be-announced suspension from playing tennis at its highest competitive level. (Interestingly, that monetary freeze means Serena Williams will soon be the highest-paid woman athlete in the world.)
And Sharapova certainly thinks and speaks for herself, going so far as to dress down the "fairly ugly carpet" at the Los Angeles hotel where she made her Monday announcement. It stands to reason that she won't soon be invited back to that building. Moot point, though. She hardly needs a place to crash.
"On average, I love the mornings. New day, new start."
So read Sharapova's letter to fans. As soon as later this week she will find out just what degree of "newness"—perhaps a one-year suspension, or up to a four-year ban—will greet her next stretch of career and life.
Follow Jon on Twitter @jonscott9.
