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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.

Lesson and Explanation

THERE is something disarming about Maria Sharapova, something at odds
with her ready smile and glamorous attire. And that something in her lifted her
on Monday, 22 August 2005 to the world number one position in women’s
tennis. All this happened in almost no time. Poised beyond her years, the
Siberian born teenager took just four years as a professional to reach the
pinnacle.

Disarming: likeable
At odds with: in conflict with
Poised: calm, elegant
Pinnacle: the most successful point

There is some quality in contrast to Maria Sharapova’s smile and glamour,
which makes her likeable. It is this quality that helped her achieve success as
she attained world number one position in women’s tennis on Monday, 22
August 2005. Maria’s calmness and elegance is beyond her age. She was
born in Siberia, Russia and as a teenager, she took only four years of training
to become the top seeded woman tennis player.

However, the rapid ascent in a fiercely competitive world began nine years
before with a level of sacrifice few children would be prepared to endure. Little
Maria had not yet celebrated her tenth birthday when she was packed off to
train in the United States. That trip to Florida with her father Yuri launched her
on the path to success and stardom. But it also required a heart-wrenching
two-year separation from her mother Yelena. The latter was compelled to stay
back in Siberia because of visa restrictions. The nine-year-old girl had already
learnt an important lesson in life — that tennis excellence would only come at
a price.
Rapid: fast
Ascent: growth
Endure: suffer patiently
Heart - wrenching: extremely sad

The fast growth of her career started nine years ago when she made a big
sacrifice which can be made by very few children of that young age. She had