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The only thing Russian tennis ace Maria Sharapova does faster than hit a tennis ball is drive. Even before she got her US driver's licence recently, the 19-year-old was all-too-familiar with the Florida highway patrol.
"I have been pulled over for speeding twice and both times the police officer asked me for my autograph and let me go. I am lucky," the world's highest-paid female athlete says, giggling. "I do like speed but I also like to be safe and I feel safest when I am behind the wheel of my Range Rover Sport. But I like to think of myself as a very good young driver.
"Because I travel so much, it took me forever to get my learner's permit. I could never find the time to take the tests. Finally, I was able to take the test and get my driver's licence. Getting that licence was ... freedom."
Before that Sharapova was carried to tennis training on her dad Yuri's bicycle. Now, worth tens of millions of dollars and sponsored by the likes of Land Rover, she has discovered an appetite for high-octane cars.
"A few months ago I was in Spain and I went on a car racing track that a friend owns. It was in one of those low race cars. It was pretty incredible," Sharapova says at a party held by Land Rover in London. Earlier she had unveiled the company's new Freelander 2 to the media.
She is passionate about her four-wheel-drives, but her dream car, she says, is another piece of British car design. "The Aston Martin Vanquish is just hot," she says, before admitting she hasn't sat in one. "But I've seen one on the road and it's a good-looking piece of material... I'd love one.
"I love cars. Cars [are] one of the few luxury items that I always looked at and said, 'One day, I am going to own that car.' "
Sharapova says all celebrities like cars and get excited when a new model is released.
Her deal with Land Rover means she has the use of one wherever she is, including when staying at her houses in Florida and California. In California, she has a supercharged Range Rover Sport.
"I was in California and I went up to the mountains for a weekend and we took the car. It's amazing, especially in the snow," she says. "In Russia, we have all these winter storms and I told my grandparents, 'I'm going to get you guys one of these.' "
Sharapova's dream when she retires is to spend a lot of time travelling. Top of her list are places where she can drive fast. She has them mapped out already.
"In some parts of the world there's no speed limit, right? In Germany, I think? I'd love to drive there."
Source: Drive.com.au
stay away from cars that american motor companies have a hand in. only trouble will come your way with them. also, a supercharged Land Rover. oh geeze, i just saw another SUV catastrophy on the Florida highway a few days ago. dont want to see you get killed cause of driving a dangerous SUV that can flip at anytime.:'( i do though think its cool you like fast cars. hey, i like speed too but it has its place. be careful! but its alright, maybe i will see you on the highway sometime. just a few hours south on I-75 to my neck of the woods. drop in anytime to see my new 300hp Infiniti G35 Coupe.(manual) just make sure you keep the pedal to the metal on the tennis court. cant wait for the 31st in San Diego. 
Go Maria!!
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