© Joe Scarnici / Stringer Getty Images Sport
Becoming a tennis icon like Maria Sharapova or Serena Williams is really difficult for a young tennis player. Becoming an icon means going beyond sporting results. It means influencing the crowds, catalyzing the media, attracting sponsors who bring in millions of dollars.
The Russian and the American did it. Even a tennis player of this generation, Coco Gauff, can do it. Sharapova, who will participate in the second edition of the Pickleball Slam with John McEnroe to face Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, praised the young American star, but also her very young countrywoman Mirra Andreeva.
“We’re seeing a lot more consistency in the women’s game and that’s been really refreshing. I’ve enjoyed watching a new generation rise to the occasion. I was very impressed with how Coco handled the US Open win in New York last year.
Also , it’s great to see the rise of new names and opportunities for athletes like Mirra Andreeva,” explained Sharapova to Forbes.
Andreeva expressed on Sharapova
In Russia, many fans and experts have inevitably compared Andreeva’s path to that of Sharapova, capable of winning her first career Slam at the age of 17 in 2004, beating none other than…
