Sports

Maria Sharapova picks out three key things she wants to improve after Madrid Open exit

256

Maria Sharapova picks out three key things she wants to improve after Madrid Open exit — Sharapova wants improvement (Picture: NurPhoto via Getty)

Maria Sharapova refused to give herself a pat on the back for a better showing at the Madrid Open and insists she has plenty of work to do ahead of the end of the clay-court season.

The Russian had lost four matches on the spin ahead of the Premier Mandatory event but got three wins under her belt before a quarter-final defeat to Kiki Bertens.

Though there were obvious improvements from previous weeks, but Sharapova is not focused on self-congratulatory praise and instead wants to target three key areas of work: her reactions, her return and her footwork.

I think there are definitely a few [positives] that I can take away from this, she said after the 6-4 2-6 3-6 loss.

But also I look at these types of matches, I see a lot of things I should be better at, I should improve at. I think its a combination of, yes, taking the positives, but also being a little tough on yourself and expecting a little bit more from yourself.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Thats the only way to improve. You cant keep giving yourself a pat on the back.

Of course, it was great to get those wins against those few players. But theres a reason I came up short today. You want to also evaluate that and go back to the drawing board and start over again.

Theres still a few weeks in the leadup to that [Roland Garros]. But, yeah, like today, I mean, I thought I just should have made those smaller adjustments with my feet, moving back.

She hits a deep, heavy ball. But seeing that shorter one, you know, a little bit faster. I was just a little slow on that. Just a little hesitant. Some of those opportunities.

Keep improving the return. A much better week on that for me this week. But I think theres a lot more work I can do on that.

Yeah, its a few percentages here and there. Its little margins.