A star true to roots

NEWPORT BEACH — Maria Sharapova appeared as if she was trying to come off as modest, humble, homely even, during a press conference before she took to the court with the Newport Beach Breakers Wednesday night.

It didn’t work.

The cameras flashed, the reporters fired questions and Sharapova tried to handle it with grace.

Her rise to fame started the same, minus the cameras and media surrounding her, of course. But, the down-to-earth part, yes. Part of Sharapova’s beginning started with World Team Tennis, back when she was 15 in 2000 when she played for the Delaware Smash.

Back then she was trying to be much more than a pretty face, much more than a hot Russian import. She was seeking tennis stardom, championships. Those came.

Wimbledon in 2004. U.S. Open in 2006. Australian Open in 2008. Nineteen WTA singles titles.

Now, her name is big, even she’ll admit. Confuse her with Anna Kournikova? Perish the thought.

“Actually over the years, you know, I think my dog is actually more popular now,” said Sharapova, who wore an old-looking orange Nike shirt over black tights. “I was walking my dog the other day. ‘Is that that famous dog?’ I’m like, ‘Are you looking at the dog?’ It’s funny, I feel like people recognize my own brand and the name Maria Sharapova. Before it was like, ‘Is that her?’ Maybe. Now it’s like, ‘That is Maria Sharapova.’

“It’s still strange no matter how many times people ask me for an autograph or ask me if it is me, it still comes as a surprise. It’s always very flattering.”

But now the brand is in need of a redefinition. Seems far-fetched considering Sharapova is 22. But since undergoing surgery on her right rotator cuff in October, the former No. 1 player in the world has been eliminated by an opponent outside the top 10 in four tournaments. Last month, Gisela Dulko knocked out Sharapova in the second round at Wimbledon.

The rehab from the surgery has been rough, but before she led the Breakers to a 24-15 victory over Kansas City, she stated that she’s 100 percent. The shoulder is fine.

But that rehab was tough.

“By no means was it easy,” she said. “Definitely I had ups and downs. I had days where I had to push myself more than I’ve ever had to mentally than physically.

“It all pays off. Obviously just getting to be able to play tennis again is an achievement in itself. Now it’s about preparing myself, forgetting about what I went through, just preparing my game, getting back into the form where I was, and even better.”

Billie Jean King, the tennis legend and founder of WTT, believes Sharapova is capable of a comeback. King has been a fan ever since the girl Sharapova joined the WTT and she enjoys the tennis sensation coming back, as she’s played in the league for six seasons, five with the Breakers. King is a part owner of the Breakers.

“I don’t care if she lost in the second round, she’s back,” King said last month after Sharapova’s disappointing finish at the All England Club. “She’s more powerful than she was before. She has the right attitude. She’s smart and she’s powerful. You have to have consistency too. The thing I like her about the most is that she’s such a hard worker.”

Sharapova, ranked No. 61, will play in two tournaments, trying to gain some type of rhythm, before entering the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 31. She’ll play the Bank of the West Tournament that starts in Stanford on Monday. Then it’s off to the Los Angeles Women’s Championships in Carson the following week.