1. Ana Ivanovic - SRB
2. Jelena Jankovic - SRB
3. Svetlana Kuznetsova - RUS
4. Maria Sharapova - RUS
5. Serena Williams - USA

Maria Sharapova	7	6	2
Dinara Safina	6	7	6

Russia turn down Sharapova's request to carry flag

June 25th, 2008

12 Comments

Posted by: Editor

Officials have rejected Maria Sharapova's request to carry the Russian flag at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.

"She wanted to be a flag-bearer (on August 8) but I advised against it," Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpishchev told reporters on Wednesday.

"I don't want her to spend three or four hours in hot weather waiting to march in the opening ceremony. We want her to be fresh, not tired, during her matches."

World number two Sharapova has decided against living in the athletes village during the Games.

"She said she didn't want to stay in the Olympic village because it's very noisy there and she needed plenty of rest between matches," said Tarpishchev.

Sharapova will lead the Russian women's tennis team in China. She is joined by Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina, ranked number four, five and nine in the world respectively.

carlos scheel Jun 25, 2008 at 23:23

es la deportista más hermosa que existe, además de ser graciosa e inteligente....
carlosdevina, chile

Hannah Magness Jun 25, 2008 at 23:30

I love Maria Sharapova she is my role model! She is a great tennis player and she is very pretty! I hope someday I will be as good as her!

Marcus Jun 26, 2008 at 00:28

I love you Masha you are the Master-Queen of the tennis

FERNANDO Jun 26, 2008 at 08:30

VAMOS MARIA, A POR TERCERA RONDA

Eduardo R. Dalu Jun 26, 2008 at 08:42

Don't worry Maria. Show them how you still love mother Russia by getting the Olympics Championship Trophy in Tennis! For sure, you shall lift your head up by watching your flag and hear your National Anthem at the awards ceremony! Just go for it!

omar Jun 27, 2008 at 03:51

eres un amor Maria con la frente en alto vamos y reyna wimbledon te amooooooooooooooooo Sharapova

jhenZz Jun 27, 2008 at 15:29

a great opportunity for masaha if ever that would happend..but in some other instances,, the decision of the officials to not letting masha to carry russian flag for the opening ceremony is appropriate..

i wish i could go to beijing to watch masha playing tennis with other great athlete around the world..wishing her a great time there..wish she could win the gold medal!:-)

hope someday also you can visit philippines!!specifically batangas..hahaha..so i can see you..

SEF Jul 01, 2008 at 08:54

Hey jhenZz, I'm from the Philippines too. Anyway, i wish i will have the chance to see Masha play in the Olympics this August. But in any case, i will be looking forward to see her in the opening ceremony, marching on with other Russian athletes and other high-profile athletes around the globe. If i will have a chance to see the 'most-recognized female athlete in the world' (Maria), it's gotta be a dream come true! Wishing the best tennis ahead of you, MARIA!

sidney Jul 05, 2008 at 17:33

maria, you have style and graceand you are awinner. I hope that your shoulder is healthy. you can win any given match.Best of luck. Your most devoted fan sid.

calum Jul 08, 2008 at 12:40

fit

irene Jul 30, 2008 at 13:07

i pray that you'll win the gold medal in olympics.God bless.

Though tennis is not that really popular here in the Philippines,you certainly have a lot of fans here.im just one of them.Hi jhennz and sef.

louis Oct 04, 2008 at 09:38

All the best