Russian star makes Aussie boys dance to her practice tune ahead of Australian Open
Maria Sharapova on Saturday revealed how she had been taking out her frustrations on Australian boys after injury curtailed her build-up to the Australian Open.u00a0
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Last year’s runner-up, goes into the season’s opening Grand Slam without any competitive matches under her belt after a collarbone problem ruled her out of Brisbane International. Sharapova, who said she is now fully recovered, revealed that she had resorted to practising with Australia’s top junior players to find match sharpness — with interesting results. “One of them was really on top of me and then I got really mad,” she said.
“I think he had eight set points and I ended up winning the set. I’m not going to tell who it is. Too embarrassed. I don’t think he slept well after that
one.” u00a0However, the World No 2 said she could play her way into the season’s opening Grand Slam, starting against Olga Puchkova, ranked 105.
“I would have loved to come in with a few matches. But sometimes circumstances don’t allow that, and that’s okay,” she said.u00a0“To me, I’d rather be going onto the court knowing that I’m healthy. Yes, I might be a little bit rusty, but I’ll work my way through it. I’m experienced enough to know the adjustments I have to make in those types of circumstances,” she added.u00a0