Maria Sharapova...NOT Russian, AMERICAN!

[Hiro11]

As a red blooded 'Merican, it shore does chap my hide that the media keeps referring to her as "Russian".

She moved to Florida when she was seven and has spent her entire tennis career at Nick Bolliteri's school. She speaks english with no accent and by her mannerisms, she's clearly an American teenager. She's also obviously f'ing hot (ahem, for a 17 year old, of course), not too dumb and one hell of an athelete.

Long story short: don't believe the hype, this is an all-American Wimbledon final.

USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

[LurkerDan]

What's her citizenship?

[The Cow]

Originally posted by LurkerDan
What's her citizenship?
Russian.

From a fanpage interview with her last year:

http://www.mariaworld.net/int24603.htm

Q. You've been in the United States for quite some time now. Do you ever see yourself becoming an American citizen?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I've never really thought about that. I'm really Russian inside of me. I have Russian blood all the way. I have family back there.

I mean, of course, I've lived in the United States half of my life. But that's something that, you know, is because of my tennis. But, I mean, I'm happy playing for Russia right now. I have no regrets, just doing my job on the court.

[twikoff]

the true test

does she shave her pits?

[LurkerDan]

Originally posted by The Cow
Russian.

From a fanpage interview with her last year:

http://www.mariaworld.net/int24603.htm

Q. You've been in the United States for quite some time now. Do you ever see yourself becoming an American citizen?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: I've never really thought about that. I'm really Russian inside of me. I have Russian blood all the way. I have family back there.

I mean, of course, I've lived in the United States half of my life. But that's something that, you know, is because of my tennis. But, I mean, I'm happy playing for Russia right now. I have no regrets, just doing my job on the court. Well, then, sounds to me like she's Russian, NOT American. :)

[Goat3001]

Russian or American. Who gives a shit? Shes f'n hot and thats all that matters to me

[Abranut]

Originally posted by Goat3001
Russian or American. Who gives a shit? Shes f'n hot and thats all that matters to me

:thumbsup:

[kevin75]

what's a thread like this without pics??

http://www.musicavirtuale.net/mondovip/mariasharapova/images/modelling4_jpg.jpg
http://www.tennisrulz.com/players/sharapova/ms.jpg
http://www.musicavirtuale.net/mondovip/mariasharapova/images/modelling8_jpg.jpg

[nickdawgy]

She's alright, but I wouldn't call her f'n hot. Even if she was legal.

[the aftermath]

-ohbfrank- Stupid Americans trying to claim her as their own

[El Scorcho]

She needs some Italian in her.

:D

[Abranut]

Originally posted by nickdawgy
She's alright, but I wouldn't call her f'n hot. Even if she was legal.

The rule is, if they are marginally attractive and they are professional athletes, they are f'n hawt!!!

[bill_n_opus]

Originally posted by El Scorcho
She needs some Italian in her.

:D

You mean "Gonads and stife"? .... somehow I think Maria would politely decline. :D

[twikoff]

well hell
if she really is russian
i need to find that mail order bride website :up:

[chanster]

From today's match, where she is beating the hell out of Serena

http://home.comcast.net/~bigdsr/sharpova.jpg

[astrochimp]

Go Maria!

[the aftermath]

And now, she's no longer beating the hell out of Serena.

[namja]

She's so adorable. How she keeps giggling.

[bill_n_opus]

Wow. Straight sets for Sharapova.

She looks really tall too. I checked her bio and it says 5'9" which seems too short. She looks like a 6 footer. Williams is supposed to be 5'10" and Sharapova looks like she's an inch or two taller.

Maybe because she's so lean compared to Williams.

Anyways, pretty impressive for a 17 year old.

[jfoobar]

She is 6'0" unless I am mistaken. I believe that Mary Carillo also indicated that she is 6'0" during the match.

[twikoff]

do they test for roids?

cause we know how those russian women are

[TheMadMonk]

Well, she has done one thing that will always separate her from Anna Kournikova. Maria actually won a tournament.

[Bushdog]

Originally posted by the aftermath
And now, she's no longer beating the hell out of Serena. I guess it worked out ok for her. ;)

[the aftermath]

Originally posted by JustinS
She is 6'0" unless I am mistaken. I believe that Mary Carillo also indicated that she is 6'0" during the match. Correct.

[eXcentris]

She is 6' tall and this isn't the 1st tournament she wins.

[TomOpus]

Man, so many of the Russian tennis players are hot.

Is it the water? The winters? Some bizarro-Chernobyl thing?

[Borst]

Originally posted by twikoff
do they test for roids?

cause we know how those russian women are

you've seen the Williams "sisters" out there and think Maria should be tested for roids??

[twikoff]

Originally posted by Borst
you've seen the Williams "sisters" out there and think Maria should be tested for roids??

forget the williams brothers.. how about capriati :eek:

[jfoobar]

Originally posted by eXcentris
She is 6' tall and this isn't the 1st tournament she wins.

She was asked some time ago by a member of the media if she "wanted to the next Kournikova." Her response was something to the effect of, "Kournikova never won a singles tournament. Why would I want to be the next her??"

:up:

[Turd Ferguson]

Originally posted by Borst
you've seen the Williams "sisters" out there and think Maria should be tested for roids??

http://www.kolumbus.fi/saukko/comic/pics/predator-2.jpg

Serena probably packs a meat cane like Lexington Steele.

[mike45]

Originally posted by JustinS
She was asked some time ago by a member of the media if she "wanted to the next Kournikova." Her response was something to the effect of, "Kournikova never won a singles tournament. Why would I want to be the next her??"

:up:

Maria Sharapova can really play championship level tennis. Comparing her to Kournikova is rather insulting.

[LurkerDan]

Ok, Sharapova is better. But people have also forgotten that Kournikova was a good tennis player. Yes, she never won a tournament. But she was ranked pretty highly for a while, and reached many quarters, semis, and I imagine finals. People now treat her career as if she was some kind of freak show. She was a good tennis player, it's just that she never reached the heights expected of her in tennis, and she was hot and played that to the hilt...

[Meatpants]

Originally posted by LurkerDan
Ok, Sharapova is better. But people have also forgotten that Kournikova was a good tennis player. Yes, she never won a tournament. But she was ranked pretty highly for a while, and reached many quarters, semis, and I imagine finals. People now treat her career as if she was some kind of freak show. She was a good tennis player, it's just that she never reached the heights expected of her in tennis, and she was hot and played that to the hilt...

Agreed. Double standard that AK was ridiculed for not winning majors, yet everyone felt sorry for Phil Mickelson when he couldn't win one.

[NCMojo]

I think the issue was Anna's extreme popularity even though she had never even won a single tournament.

At least Phil had won several times on the Tour. Anna hasn't even played in the finals of a major, and never finished better than fourth.

Hey, if we're critiquing her legs and her ass, play on, but if this is a sports forum, you need to also mention her game.

[Patman]

And Phil had some moobs to die for as well...

[jfoobar]

Originally posted by LurkerDan
Ok, Sharapova is better. But people have also forgotten that Kournikova was a good tennis player. Yes, she never won a tournament. But she was ranked pretty highly for a while, and reached many quarters, semis, and I imagine finals. People now treat her career as if she was some kind of freak show. She was a good tennis player, it's just that she never reached the heights expected of her in tennis, and she was hot and played that to the hilt...

Anna was actually an excellent doubles player and was ranked #1 in doubles for a time.

AK was and is given so much sh*t because her game never lived up the hype around her. She made millions and millions of dollars from endorsements and what not so people resent her for not having the talent in singles to back up the noteriety.

[Luddy]

I saw Nicole Vaidisova and Anastassia Rodionova play tonight for the Sacramento Capitals (along with featured player Andre Agassi). Vaidisova is only 15 and has a very nice serve. Agassi won his singles and doubles matches. I had really great seats- 4 rows up, about 20 feet from the action.

[IMRICKJAMES]

Just cause she moved to American at a young age doesn't make her not Russian....hey lets just settle on her being Russian-American?

[the aftermath]

Originally posted by IMRICKJAMES
hey lets just settle on her being Russian-American? Let's just settle on the fact she's Russian, which is what she is.

[Bushdog]

Nationality is a complicated issue. But I think of it like this. Anyone who spends 10 years in America and has not bothered to get their citizenship is *not* an American, and by choice.

[B.A.]

Originally posted by Bushdog
Nationality is a complicated issue. But I think of it like this. Anyone who spends 10 years in America and has not bothered to get their citizenship is *not* an American, and by choice. Exactly.

She's obviously proud to be Russian, what's wrong w/ that? Nothing.

[das Monkey]

• NCMojo •

I think the issue was Anna's extreme popularity even though she had never even won a single tournament.
You mean, except for the two Majors that she won. But Majors are easy. Anyone can win one of those. I mean it's not like she was ranked #1 in the world for years or anything. She certainly didn't win 14 WTA events, and was never ranked in the Top 10 of all singles players in the world. Oh wait ...

Facts are so passé.

das

[Bushdog]

Originally posted by B.A.
Exactly.

She's obviously proud to be Russian, what's wrong w/ that? Nothing. Nothing wrong with that. I am a little uncomfortable with someone of means who takes advantage of our country's benefits who doesn't want to become part of it, but it is no crime.

[Red Dog]

I'm a bit rusty on my immigration law, but I don't believe a foreign-born resident of the U.S. (with non-American parents) can become a naturalized U.S. citizen (assuming they wanted to) until at least 18.

[Bushdog]

I don't have a clue about that. My point could be moot if she signs up as soon as she is eligible.

[Red Dog]

I was right - it is 18.
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/general.htm

[Bushdog]

Ok, I'll post my conclusions in 2 years after she's had a chance. :D

[Red Dog]

Originally posted by Bushdog
Ok, I'll post my conclusions in 2 years after she's had a chance. :D


Frankly, I don't know why it makes you uncomfortable. If I had a fantastic job opportunity to work overseas, I would never renounce my US citizenship no matter how long I resided overseas and how much I enjoyed living there.

[Josh H]

Originally posted by Red Dog
Frankly, I don't know why it makes you uncomfortable. If I had a fantastic job opportunity to work overseas, I would never renounce my US citizenship no matter how long I resided overseas and how much I enjoyed living there.

But this is the good old USA where everyone should want to be a citizen. -rolleyes-

[Bushdog]

Originally posted by Josh Hinkle
But this is the good old USA where everyone should want to be a citizen. -rolleyes- Do you consider the use of the rolleyes smiley when people are having a polite discussion to be a jerkish move? I do.

Also, you answered a question making a suggestion that you know what I'm thinking? I've seen your posts and there is little evidence in them that you actually provide great insight into the thoughts of other posters. I seriously doubt you have any clue what I think or believe.

[Bushdog]

Originally posted by Red Dog
Frankly, I don't know why it makes you uncomfortable. If I had a fantastic job opportunity to work overseas, I would never renounce my US citizenship no matter how long I resided overseas and how much I enjoyed living there. I don't know, i think people owe something to the countries they reside in. They extract benefit from the particular country.
I said a bit uncomfortable, not that she sucked because of it. I tried to express the ambiguity in my feelings, hope that came across.

[Josh H]

Originally posted by Bushdog
I don't know, i think people owe something to the countries they reside in. They extract benefit from the particular country.


I don't agree with that. People get jobs because they are qualified. And non-citizens are going to be working in the private sector, so they benefit from a business located in a country, not the country directly.

I guess I just don't feel that people benefit from a country, that earn what they get. Sure there's more jobs in some countries than others, but the person still had to work likely even harder than if they were a citizen to get a good job in a foreign country.

[Red Dog]

Originally posted by Bushdog
I don't know, i think people owe something to the countries they reside in. They extract benefit from the particular country.
I said a bit uncomfortable, not that she sucked because of it. I tried to express the ambiguity in my feelings, hope that came across.


Yeah but they are contributing something - labor/service and taxes, so it is not like they are freeloading.

[spainlinx0]

Originally posted by das Monkey
You mean, except for the two Majors that she won. But Majors are easy. Anyone can win one of those. I mean it's not like she was ranked #1 in the world for years or anything. She certainly didn't win 14 WTA events, and was never ranked in the Top 10 of all singles players in the world. Oh wait ...

Facts are so passé.

das

You should really send this comment into our buddies at PTI. I love listening to them, but they really rip on Kournikova about her "lack of talent." I'm just curious how they would respond to this sort of e-mail. Besides then you can be a "stupid e-mailer." :)

[das Monkey]

• spainlinx0 •

You should really send this comment into our buddies at PTI. I love listening to them, but they really rip on Kournikova about her "lack of talent." I'm just curious how they would respond to this sort of e-mail. Besides then you can be a "stupid e-mailer." :)
I've sent Wilbon a few emails about how full of shit he is when it comes to TV shows, and surprise, surprise, no response. :)

das

[spainlinx0]

Originally posted by das Monkey
I've sent Wilbon a few emails about how full of shit he is when it comes to TV shows, and surprise, surprise, no response. :)

das

True, but this actually deals with sports, so maybe there is a better chance of it getting on the air.

[John Sy]

Originally posted by Red Dog
Yeah but they are contributing something - labor/service and taxes, so it is not like they are freeloading.

Legally, you have to be a citizen to freeload.

[D300]

Originally posted by das Monkey
You mean, except for the two Majors that she won. But Majors are easy. Anyone can win one of those. I mean it's not like she was ranked #1 in the world for years or anything. She certainly didn't win 14 WTA events, and was never ranked in the Top 10 of all singles players in the world. Oh wait ...

Facts are so passé.

das
She also had the good fortune of teaming up with the best singles and doubles player during those years, Martina Hingis. Back then, Hingis was winning Majors with many different partners in doubles. She was so dominant in doubles that she probably would have won you a Major, if she picked you as her partner. :)

[mytzplyx]

Look, AK was a good player, but she never won a SINGLES tournament on the tour. What's that mean? It means she was good, not great. Didn't have that extra edge, that killer instinct to get to the next level.

[Josh H]

Exactly, and thus she wasn't deserving of the attention she got for her skills, and was made a star simple because of her looks (which never did much for me).

[eXcentris]

I'm going to start calling every Fin, Swede, Russian, Czech, etc... playing hockey in Canada a Canadian.

[mike45]

If she calls herself a Russian and her passport says she's Russian, then she's Russian.

[Pharoh]

Looks like DVDTalkers aren't the only ones questioning her nationality.


link to story and images (http://msn.foxsports.com/story?contentId=2620624&print=true)

CARLSBAD, Calif. - The so-called real Russian will play the so-called Russian-American in the quarterfinals of $1.3 million Acura Classic on Friday and a tremendous amount of pride is on the line.

French Open champion Anastasia Myskina has never lost to Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova on the court and seemingly is winning the battle for the hearts and minds of other Russian players.

The brunette Myskina is the acknowledged leader of the deep Russian squad in the locker room, while the blonde Sharapova, to some, is little more than interloper when it comes to things Russian.

French Open finalist Elena Dementieva said last week that Sharapova is "not really Russian" and Thursday, the Moscow-born and -bred Myskina said Sharapova's "mentality is American" and that she doesn't think Sharapova "has ever been (back) to Russia."

Those comments didn't set well with the ferociously competitive teenager, who didn't exactly call for a Lear jet to take her from Sochi to Florida when she was 7. Sharapova's ambitious father, Yuri, sat with her in coach class and, upon landing, took a public bus to the Bollettieri Academy so she could receive proper training.

"We've had totally different ways of growing up and developing our careers," Sharapova snarled. "Even though I train in America, I'm still Russian. That's where I come from. No one is going to tell me where I'm from because I know. Just because I made the decision to develop my tennis somewhere else — I think I made the right decision."

With all that said, Myskina said she would welcome Sharapova on the Russian Fed Cup team and that Maria speaks Russian "pretty well" for someone who has spent 10 of her 17 years in the U.S.

"Maria has lived in the United States and she's more comfortable in English than she is in Russian," Myskina said. "But if she wants to play Fed Cup next year, why not? We want to have all the good players, because it's easier to win matches."

Sharapova was bred on MTV and has had more media training than her compatriot, Anna Kournikova, ever had at this age. She rarely has a rough moment. But under an intense spotlight and being questioned about her true nationality, Sharapova grew angry and went after questions with same verve that she returns second serves.

You can criticize Kournikova all you like for at times being disingenuous with her tennis intentions, but she always said that she loved living in the U.S., even though her blood ran Russian red. Sharapova said that being in the U.S. is only a career decision.

"I don't feel American at all," she said. "I feel this is part of my job. I don't know where I would be living. I came to the United States because of my tennis. Maybe I would still be in Russia or maybe I would have wanted to live someone else. I moved here because of my tennis, not for anything else."

Sharapova — who takes both American and Russian correspondence courses — did say that she's quite comfortable in U.S. culture and would be equally comfortable in Russia. She's also willing to play for Russia if they ask her. But will they have her?

Like Myskina, Sharapova wants to dominate the U.S. Open hard-court season. Myskina wants it badly because she wants to show the world that her tremendous run to the Roland Garros title was no fluke. Because of her relatively low profile, many already have forgotten that the 23-year-old Myskina took down Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati and Dementieva en route to the crown.

"I really want to win right now, because I want to prove that the French Open was not only one tournament I was playing good," Myskina said. "I am No. 1 in Russian, and I want to be No. 1 in the world. That's motivation for me to win the match."

After chopping down Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams to win Wimbledon, few doubt Sharapova's potential, but the Russian crew still thinks Myskina has the edge. Svetlana Kuznetsova says that Myskina is still the smarter player and more creative on hard courts. Vera Zvonareva (who, by the way, does think that Sharapova is a "real" Russian) says Myskina's experience could be the deciding factor. However, she cautions that Sharapova's Wimbledon victory should not be seen as surprising.

"She's going up and up and up," Zvonareva said.

Friday's winner will be determined by who handles the pressure better and whether Myskina — who owns a 2-0 record against Sharapova by virtue of a three-set win at the '04 Aussie Open and a 6-2, 6-1 wipeout at Indian Wells in March — can move the gangly teen around again.

"It's going to be really tough against Maria because now she's playing much better than when we played last time," Myskina said. "She's improved a lot, like her serve and ground strokes. I might have to try to do something else."

Sharapova says that Myskina's movement, patience and ability to "trick when you think you have the point" is what sets her apart. She says that Indian Wells was merely a terrible day, and with the experience she gained the last few months, she should be a much greater force Friday.

Even though Sharapova easily could be mistaken for a South Florida beach girl, when it comes to discussing her athletic prospects, her eyes become as dark and full of lightning as any Russian athlete's.

"It's a very big challenge," Sharapova said of facing Myskina. "I haven't beaten her yet and I like those kind of challenges."

[devilshalo]

Worhty of a Caption This thread?

http://msn.foxsports.com/id/2554618_7_2.jpg

;)