““She reminds me a bit of myself, how she’s fearless.”
—Five-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis

“She’s kind of like me; she doesn’t back off.”
—Superstar Serena Williams

“This girl is a true phenomenon.”
—Tennis coach Roger Lansdorp

“Maria’s a lot like Monica [Seles]. She’ll give you a smile, but then she’ll kill you.”
—Tennis guru Nick Bollettieri

“She is extremely strict, disciplined, and a perfectionist. She plays tennis like she’s preparing for an attack, a battle. That’s Maria Sharapova. There is no monkey business. Every shot has a purpose. She runs for every single, solitary ball. Yeah, she’ll smile, but it’s bloody damn business.”
—Bollettieri

“This girl is one of the most talented players I have ever seen.”
—Russian coach Yuri Udkin

“Sharapova is 'the best thing that could have happened' to women’s tennis."
—Tennis legend Martina Navratilova

“She’s a wonderful kid who had what I consider to be the most phenomenal Wimbledon ever.”
—Commentator Bud Collins

“She’s a breath of fresh air for women’s tennis.”
—Sports radio personality Chris Russo

“She is one of those special people in my business where you sit back and answer the phones. There is not a lot of proactive work that needs to be done on her behalf.”
—Edge Sports International exec Keith Kreiter

“Her age doesn’t matter. She plays like an older player and you have to be at your best to beat her.”
—WTA player Myriam Casanova