Maria Sharapova recently admitted that she felt more like an entertainer than just simply a tennis player during her active days.
For most athletes, sports is a competition in which they measure themselves against their peers. For most people invested in sports that don't actually play the sport professionally, it's ultimately entertainment. Some people like books, some like cinema, some theatre, and some people simply enjoy watching sports.
In that sense, it's not hard to understand why Sharapova thinks of herself as an entertainer and not simply a tennis player. To a lot of people, by being a tennis player, the Russian was ultimately an entertainer. She spoke about her realisation at a recent event.
I feel like when you're an athlete you form a connection with people and fans. I realized when I was a little older that ultimately I was an entertainer. I wasn't just doing this for myself to win but when I when on to the court and I was having a really bad day, there could be somebody in the audience that was having a bad day themselves.
If I could turn that match around and show them on a bad day I was able to win or I was able to improve in front of their eyes, imagine how they'll go to sleep and think 'I had a tough day but this athlete in front of thousands of people was able to turn it around and inspired me to do that tomorrow.
Sharapova has been away from the sport for a while but she's still keeping up with it as it never leaves you, even if you retire. She recently spoke about the upcoming generations on the WTA & ATP Tours, admitting that she doesn't see her heir while praising Alcaraz, wanting to see where his career goes.
That impact you try to forget because there's a lot of pressure with it but ultimately it's such a beautiful feeling to have that you can have inspiration on other people.
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