Maria Sharapova: playing at Indian Wells makes me comfortable because California is my second home

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has spoken of her expectations for the Indian-Wells tournament after playing in two Grand Slam finals in the last year and losing both of them.

«It’s definitely great to be in those stages again, putting yourself in a position where you are a match away from winning a grand slam,» Russian Sharapova told reporters at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Wednesday.

«Obviously the next stage is to get those grand slams, and that’s my goal. Looking back even a year ago when I was sitting in this (interview) chair, I can say I am now in a much better position. To get to two grand slam finals within that year has been challenging but extremely great. Losing in the finals is never fun but to put yourself in that position ... gives you a great amount of confidence for the future,» the Russian star continued.

«You have so much more perspective on your career than you ever did,» Sharapova said of her long struggle to regain form following her shoulder problems. «It’s such an eye-opener when you go through something like that because you forget how quickly something can vanish. And when you get that back, whether you win a quarter-final or a semi-final, no matter how many times you have been in that position, you cherish it a lot more than you did before.»

Sharapova has been seeded second for the Indian Wells WTA tournament, which started on Wednesday, and is scheduled to meet defending champion Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in the last four. Remembering her past appearances here, Sharapova said:

«This was one of my first big professional tournaments and I always look back to when I played Monica Seles here. That was the only time we ever played, apart from an exhibition. I won my first round and Monica was seeded and I got her in the second round. I thought I played extremely well against her but the scoreline was extremely bad, 6-1 6-0 I think. It was pathetic. But ever since, playing here at Indian Wells certainly makes me feel comfortable because California is one of my second homes.»