Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova's success this season has not only shot her to world No 4 from No 32 at the end of 2003, but onto another planet, French tennis rival Marion Bartoli claimed on Thursday.
Sharapova's triumph in the WTA Tour Championship capped a milestone year for the 17-year-old, and world No 41 Bartoli believes that success has created a barrier with the Russian beauty which did not exist a year ago.
"She doesn't really speak to anyone. When you pass in front of her it's as if you don't exist, you're invisible, especially now," said Bartoli, who has been called in as a replacement for No 2 Amelie Mauresmo in the French Fed Cup team for the final phase in Moscow from November 24-28.
"It's crazy because I remember really well having played with her in doubles in Quebec in 2003. She was quite nice. She chatted. We ate together a few times. The next year she has gone onto another planet," said 20-year-old Bartoli.
'She was quite nice'
"It's been instilled into her since she was a child that she will be the best, that she has been born for that.
"She really has this desire, this motivation to beat you every time she walks out onto the court which is enormous," she added.
November 19th, 2004
Posted by: Marco
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