For someone who has been scrutinised so closely since her
life-changing Wimbledon success at the age of just 17, Maria Sharapova
has developed her own instinctive auto-surveillance strategy. While the
highest-paid sportswoman on the planet says she can mostly live her life
as she wishes, she is rarely inclined to lower her guard.
"Even
when people are not watching, I'm always a little bit aware … I always
have my eyes around," says Sharapova, the five-time grand slam champion
and world No.2. "It can be in any situation – whether I'm in a
restaurant, or just walking around. But I feel pretty good about the
things that I'm able to do, and I've never really felt too restricted."
Russian-born Sharapova lists her residence as Florida, but also has a
home in California she shares with her partner, men's top-tenner Grigor
Dimitrov, and where there are myriad Hollywood types and other
celebrities to share the long paparazzi lenses. The 27-year-old says she
tries to treat photo and autograph requests from fans as merely a sign
of recognition and appreciation, while happy to front up unadorned for
her regular caffeine hit.
"No matter what people define me as, and say that I am quite
well-known, I'm able to live a very normal, easy life. I'm lucky enough
not to have a lot of cameras following me around," says Sharapova, whose
face helps to sell everything from make-up and luxury watches to German
cars, French mineral water and her own confectionery range.
"I
live in a country where I think actors and musicians are a little bit
more of a bigger deal than maybe athletes are – which I'm very thankful
for," she smiles. "At the end of the day I can wake up and not feel like
I have to put on red lipstick. I don't know if I'd ever be able to
manage that! I just want to go get my cup of coffee and I'm able to do
it. I mean, I don't wear pyjamas [out], but I don't have to, like, have
the full gear on."
-SMH.COM
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