Ungracious Maria mars her big day

14 April 2012

Perhaps it is the Sharapova way yet, even in the moment of the most meaningful triumph of Maria's young career, grace and class were missing from her U.S. Open victory — letting slip the feelings of mistrust which hide behind the model features.

Her 6-4, 6-4 win over a strangely uncertain Justine Henin-Hardenne was merited.

Sharapova attacked remorselessly and deserved the accolade of Grand Slam champion that she has not worn since her stunning Wimbledon triumph as a carefree 17-year-old two years ago.

Yet if Sharapova demonstrated her maturity as a player, her feistiness and arrogance as a person are less appealing. She is carefree no more.

Guarded over the blatant coaching she receives on court.

Protective of her father Yuri and the win-at-all-costs mentality he has instilled in her.

Affected in public as she plays to the crowd and the cameras.

As she dropped to her knees and thrust her arms skywards in triumph, it was difficult to fight off the cynicism and believe that this was not a plastic performance by a made-for-TV star.

Sharapova did not take kindly to being questioned about the four fingers held up during the match by her hitting partner Michael Joyce — a clear coaching ploy.

Nor did she hold back with any modesty when she proclaimed that there would be a lot more major titles to follow.

She said: "I experienced this feeling two years ago at Wimbledon and I knew that I wasn't done. I had a lot more in me. To win your second is like the cherry on the cake. But there are a lot more cherries that I'm going to put on that cake, so I'm looking forward to having them."

Henin-Hardenne's magnanimity was a lesson to behold.

The Belgian world No 2, playing in her fourth Grand Slam final of the year, said: "What was missing was a bit of courage. Courage in the sense of not daring, of not taking risks.

"She was a lot braver than I was, going for her shots a lot more."

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