REACH FOR THE TOP (Maria Sharapova)

REACH FOR THE TOP

(Maria Sharapova)

1. When and why was Maria sent to the U.S.A.?

Ans. Maria was sent to the U.S.A. when she was hardly ten years old. She was sent for training. Her father accompanied her to her trip to Florida. She had to bear long separation from her mother.

2. When did Maria attain number one position in women's tennis?

Ans. Maria was a professional tennis player. It was on Monday, 22 August, 2005 when she attained number one position in women's tennis.

3. What humiliation and insults had Maria suffered during her training in tennis at Florida?

Ans. When Maria joined her training in tennis at Florida, she was very young. So she used to go to bed at 8 p.m. The senior would come in at 11 p.m. They woke her up and ordered her to clean the room. Thus she had to bear humiliation and insults. But it could not depress her. She became more determined and mentally tough.

4. What quality of Maria has lifted her to the top of the world?

Ans. Maria had firm determination and mental toughness. She is very competitive. She works hard at what she does. Her dream to be number one in the world lifted her to the top of the world.

ESSAY TYPE QUESTIONS

1. Describe Maria Sharapova's journey from the frozen plains of Siberia to the summit of women's tennis.

Ans. Maria Sharapova was from the frozen plains of Siberia in Russia. She was hardly ten years old when she was sent to Florida in the U.S.A. Her father was with her during this journey. She was sent there to get training in tennis. She stayed there for a long time. She had to bear separation from her mother. She missed her mother terribly. She could not see even her father. She was very young. The seniors in the training camp treated her badly. They woke her up early in the morning. They ordered her to clean the room. But it could not depress her. She never thought of quitting the game. She rather became more determined and mentally tough. It was her firm determination that helped her to win the women's singles at Wimbledon in 2004. She rose to the world number one in women's tennis in 2005.

2. Compare and contrast Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova.

Ans. Both Santosh Yadav and Maria Sharapova attained the summit in their respective fields. Santosh Yadav made a record in the world to be the youngest woman scaling Mount Everest. Maria Sharapova too reached the summit in the World Women's 'Tennis. Santosh achieved success in 1992, whereas Maria in 2005. Both of them had humble beginning. Santosh was from a small village having traditional society. Maria was from the frozen plains of Siberia. Santosh's parents wanted to get her married when she turned 16. On the other hand, Maria's parents helped her in every way in realizing her dream. However, both Santosh and Maria had will power and strong desire to succeed. Both Santosh and Maria had mental toughness and physical endurance. These qualities helped them to achieve wonderful success. Both Santosh and Maria have feeling of strong patriotism. Santosh proudly unfurled the Indian tricolour on the roof of the world. She felt proud of being an Indian. Maria too is proud of being a Russian.