Even though her father Yuri put a racket in her hands at the age of four and she cannot remember not playing tennis, Maria Sharapova said she has never resented the career that was chosen for her or considered opting out of it once she became an adult
"There is no reason to and although you have difficult moments, it’s a pretty good gig and we are fortunate to do what we do," Sharapova said at Stanford’s Bank of the West Classic, where she is the second seed. "You have your moments of frustrations growing up when your friends can catch the 10 p.m. movie and you have to catch the 6-7 p.m. movie even though you want to go with them, but you can’t because you have to wake up and practice. But it’s worth it when you lift the trophies and receive the texts and emails and well wishes."
Sharapova, who could face rival Serena Williams in the quarterfinals, says that she cherishes the simple life she leads at home and rarely feels overwhelmed.
"Even though I’m constantly thinking of wanting to win and improving, when I’m at home I’m really happy and settled into my life,” she said. “I don’t feel like I need to go to a red carpet event for people to see me and notice me and I don’t feel my career is in the hands of someone who can put me on the cover of a magazine. I think those are really big worries that [other] people have and it’s tough to live like that. I’m fortunate my career is driven from something I created with my own hands, whether I win or lose. That’s what keeps my sane."