WTA: Sharapova unfazed by surprise elevation

WTA: Sharapova unfazed by surprise elevation

Friday May 16, 2008
ROME - Maria Sharapova has played down the significance of her elevation to the top of women's tennis following the retirement of Justine Henin.

Sharapova will become top-ranked player in the women's game when the updated WTA Tour rankings are released on Monday.

Current world number one Henin abruptly retired on Wednesday and, at her request, the WTA will remove her from the rankings this week.

Sharapova, who won the Australian Open in January, will assume the top spot for the fourth time in her career.

"To be honest, ranking has never really been a big deal for me," said Sharapova.

"Whether I'm number one or five, my main goal is just to keep winning tennis matches. The ranking will take care of itself if I keep winning matches."

The 25-year-old Henin, who amassed seven grand slam titles in her career, was in her 117th non-consecutive week and fourth stint in the top spot.

"If I'm 25 and I won (the number of) grand slams she's won, I'd call it quits as well," Sharapova added.

"You know, I wouldn't be disappointed leaving the sport, because obviously there's a lot more to life than tennis.

"She's had a very long career, and you never know, maybe one day she'll be back.

"(Henin has) done incredible things for the sport.

"She's shown that without being the strongest or the tallest girl on the tour she's been able to win so many matches in so many tournaments and grand slams.

"She's an inspiration to many young girls coming up. Like I said, there are so many things in life, and I'm sure she wants to explore them as well.

"I definitely don't blame her for retiring."

Henin, who won 41 WTA singles titles in her career, is the first woman in the history of professional tennis to retire from the sport while ranked number one.

"Tennis starts at a very young age," Sharapova continued. "You're basically committing every day of your life to tennis.

"No matter what days you have off or how long you have off, you're always thinking about consequences to what you're doing and how that's going to affect your training and performance.

"It's tough to be able to do what we do day in and day out.

"I totally understand where she's coming from. Like I said, I don't think she has anything to regret. She's had a great career."

On Monday, Sharapova will commence her 15th career week at number one, having first ascended to the top ranking on August 22, 2005.

After a one-week spell in the top spot she regained the position two weeks later from Lindsay Davenport, where she remained for six weeks. The 21-year-old Russian was also top of the pile for seven weeks from January to March 2007.

Sharapova, competing in Rome this week, is 25-2 this season with three titles.

The 19-time champion is the first Russian and one of 16 play