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unrewarded. Dreams can be realized only if one works earnestly,
putting one‟s heart and soul in translating them into reality.
Nothing can obstruct those who stick to their path with an un-
staggering devotion.

Summary

Reach for the Top (Part II) briefly narrates the life and career of
Maria Sharapova, one of the world‟s best-known tennis stars.

Maria‟s father brought her to the U.S. to be trained in tennis when
she was barely nine. Her mother Yelena could not accompany her
due to Visa restrictions. In the U.S. she missed her mother badly
but she knew that the sacrifice was an inevitable part of her big
aspirations.

Apart from the pangs of separation from the mother, the child also
suffered harassment from her inconsiderate fellow trainees, who
were older in age. At the training academy, Maria would go to bed
at 8 p.m as she was very young. Her fellow trainees would return at
11 p.m. and to bully her, would wake her up and make her tidy the
room. Instead of getting frustrated at this treatment, Maria saw its
positive side and drew mental strength from this humiliation. This
mental toughness gradually became a trait of her personality that
helped her both as a person and as a sportswoman. It proved to be
instrumental in helping her to reach the zenith of glory in the world
of tennis. She bagged the women‟s singles crown at Wimbledon in
2004 and became the number one tennis player in the world.

Hard work, dedication, and mental courage paved the way to
success for Sharapova. Imbued with patriotic sentiments, she feels
proud to be a Russian. Though grateful to the U.S. for bringing out
the best in her, she would like to represent her own country Russia
at the Olympics.

Although Maria is fond of fashion, singing, and dancing, she
focuses all her attention on tennis. She considers tennis as both a
business and a sport, which has poured riches in her life. However,
her main aim is to shine as a tennis player. It is this aspiration that
constantly governs her mind and motivates her for ceaseless
efforts.