I have been following Maria Sharapova since she won Wimbledon in 2004. I saw her at the 2003 US Open and really felt she was a serious player. Today she completed the Career Grand Slam, winning the 2012 French Open to go with her 2004 Wimbledon, 2006 US Open and 2008 Australian Open. She has come back from a very serious shoulder injury, which some people maybe would have thrown in the towel. She is a real fighter and a great player and I think she has a few more slams in her before she retires from the game. 
The 2003 practice session I attended shows how intense she was back then, even at practice
Her match at the 2003 US Open showed her fighting spirit at a young age
These were taken in 2004, the year she won Wimbledon, she was playing doubles with Max Mirnyi therefore they were on a side court
These shots are from a 2009 practice session at the US Open which was quite filled with fans eager to see her in action
2010 US Open Intense Practice Session
Photo: JACQUES DEMARTHON/Getty Images
Congratulations again to Maria and a very successful comeback indeed. Oh and she is also the #1 player in the world on Monday. I think she is a clear favorite for her second Wimbledon trophy in a few weeks. She has shown that hard work and determination does pay off. You just have to believe in yourself and what you can accomplish.
Today's Words of Wisdom: Carpe diem - seize the day
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