Quotes from Maria Sharapova

If I can create something that allows a woman to feel better - that is the true reward.

I hit a ball for a living, but I have that passion to keep learning.

When you travel so many weeks a year, it's always nice to have a home-cooked meal.

I don't do heavy weights at all.

Ever since I was young I loved making things and being part of the design process.

I'm never standing still and that makes my life pretty exciting.

If you're able to help some people and make them smile and make them realize that life is good, then that's worth so much more than buying a pair of shoes.

I learned there's a big difference between juniors and the pros.

I think when you know what you are going to wear, it fits and it's great material, then you feel confident in it.

I always have a Sharpie, because usually when someone asks me for an autograph, they don't have a pen. I carry one in my purse, as well as in my tennis bag.

After being on the court for six hours, being on TV is very glamorous and fun for me. But tennis is always going to be my priority. It's not going to be this thing when all of a sudden TV will get in the way of that.

I want my tennis to speak for everything.

I spent a whole year when I was injured just trying to get my arm back to the point where I could hit a tennis ball for more than 30 minutes a day. I'd hit for 15 minutes and it would feel as if my arm was going to fall off.

I've been playing against older and stronger competition my whole life. It has made me a better tennis player and able to play against this kind of level despite their strength and experience.

I'm focused on going out every day and doing my best.

I look forward to the challenges.

When I need to push myself, I think of all those nicely polished trophies waiting to be lifted up by the winner - and how that winner might be me.

You control your own wins and losses.

My parents had a normal life in Russia and they could have easily kept living a normal life, working and raising a child in Russia.

It's pretty hard being a tennis player and Mother Theresa at the same time and that's just the way it is.

To be honest, everything in my life outside of tennis is great. I'm doing amazing projects that, if I didn't have time off, I wouldn't be able to focus on.

Music is a part of my life all the time - on the plane, before matches, driving out to the court.

Tennis has given me this wonderful life and I'm very grateful for it.

I'm 17 years old and there are many great things ahead. If I don't win the U.S. Open this year, it's not going to be a disaster in my life.