160NC

56160NC

56

22

CHRISTOPHORUS | 364 MARIA SHARAPOVA

EN_CPM_364_022-029.indd 22 09.10.13 10:46

160NC

160NC

Maria Sharapova is a native of Russia who lives in the United States. At a photography session with the 911 in California, we talked with the world tennis star

about home, Porsche, and top performance in sports.

Interview by Viktoria Wohlrapp Photos by Axel Koester

A Day with Maria Sharapova

23

CHRISTOPHORUS | 364PORSCHE PEOPLE

EN_CPM_364_022-029.indd 23 09.10.13 10:46

56160NC

160NC

Maria Sharapova at the wheel of a 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet in Los Angeles

24

CHRISTOPHORUS | 364 MARIA SHARAPOVA

EN_CPM_364_022-029.indd 24 09.10.13 10:46

160NC

160NC

CHRISTOPHORUS | 364PORSCHE PEOPLE

EN_CPM_364_022-029.indd 25 09.10.13 10:46

Ms. Sharapova, what would you say is American about you?I really enjoy the convenience of everyday life in the United States. Everything is eas-ier and more accessible. I enjoy the Ameri-can lifestyle.

Why did you choose the United States as your main place of residence?Because my father and I were convinced that it oered the best training opportu-nities for my tennis career. We saw how many famous athletes have come from the United States, and also that many athletes from abroad trained here successfully.

And what would you say is still Russian about you?A lot! You never lose your roots. Even though I now live in the United States, my formative childhood years were in Russia. e culture, the society, the languageyou really absorb all of that in the rst few years of your life.

How does the Russian part of you show?Probably in my realistic mentality. Of course I have goals and dreams, but I have a very clear view of my chances and possibilities. at is very Russian.

Youll be acting as an ambassador for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.Its an incredible opportunity for me to give something back to my country. Sochi is beautiful, and people should experience that. is city on the coast of the Black Sea is wonderful, and its just an hour away from the Caucasus Mountains, one of the most beautiful mountainous regions in the world.

What should tourists make sure to see there? e citys parks and its spectacular beach-es. A lot of open-air concerts are held there. Its beautiful to hear the sea and listen to good music at the same time.

at sounds marvelous. By the way, in what language do you dream?I dream in both, English and Russian.

What does homeland mean to you?Homeland is where you feel at home, but it also has a domestic side. Im constantly trav-

relaxing and spending time with myself. But Im always around people, which Im not always in the mood for. Its also im-portant for me to set my own schedule.

Right now youre involved in work on lms for Porsche here in Los Angeles. Do you like being in the limelight?I enjoy having dierent experiences. Its a

Making lms is a refreshing break from my everyday life of working nonstop to be the best tennis player in the world.

eling, so I have to feel at home in many dif-ferent surroundings. Whats crucial, how-ever, is that I feel at home in my heart.

And your actual physical home?My house is very important to me, precise-ly because I travel so much. I think if you always live at home, its easy to forget how lovely that isthe little things you really appreciate, familiar places and routines. Coming back from a long trip makes you realize how nice it is to be home.

Could you imagine living a life far re-moved from the spotlight?Yes, I can. But I dont know if Ill ever have that (laughs). Lets put it like this: I enjoy

refreshing break to make lms, because its so dierent from my everyday life of prac-tice and working nonstop to be the best tennis player in the world.

But what is it like on the tennis courtwouldnt you prefer to just play without the cameras capturing every detail?Its just part of it for me to be observed. People are evidently interested in my move-ments and my appearance. I had to get used to that quickly.

Are there any photos out there that you cant stand?Not many. When Im in a private setting and unaware that someone has their camera

The model, the 911, and the photographer: Setting the scene in Los Angeles

26

CHRISTOPHORUS | 364 MARIA SHARAPOVA

EN_CPM_364_022-029.indd 26 09.10.13 10:46

56160NC

160NC

Maria Sharapova likes fast cars; as she

puts it, the 911 is a passion for her

27

EN_CPM_364_022-029.indd 27 09.10.13 10:46

CLIENT: ExxonMobil LubricantsPRODUCT: Global Porsche PrintJOB#: P35597_BSPACE: Full Page 4CBLEED: 8.875 x 11.4TRIM: 8.464 x 11.023SAFETY: 7.25 x 10GUTTER: NonePUBS: Christophorus MagazineISSUE: NoneTRAFFIC: Darcey LundART BUYER: NoneACCOUNT: NoneRETOUCH: NonePRODUCTION: NoneART DIRECTOR: Lew WilligCOPYWRITER: None

This advertisement was prepared by BBDO New York

FontsHelvetica (Bold, Medium, Light Condensed)Graphic Name Color Space Eff. Res.PA14P2IOX0013.tif (CMYK; 663 ppi), Mobil_1_Classic_CLEAN_1qt_2011_1Q.psd (CMYK; 2684 ppi), M1_Icon_4C-TM_KO.eps, M1_Logo_4C-TM_wRUNNING-TAG_V1.ai

Filename: P35597_B_EML_G01_V4.inddProof #: 4 Path: Studio:Volumes:Studio:MECHANIC...chani-FDOV3B%B(0/B*B9LQGGOperators: Bright, Jordan / Brand, Adrienne

Ink Names Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

Created: 6-19-2013 10:24 AM Saved: 6-19-2013 10:24 AMPrinted: 6-19-2013 10:27 AMPrint Scale: None

Porsche has high standards. We are one of them.

For years, both Porsche and Mobil 1 have been pushing the limits in their respective fi elds so a partnership was inevitable. Today, Mobil 1 is the only motor oil trusted to protect even the most advanced Porsche engines. Its a match made in the lab that continually proves its worth on the road. Learn more at mobil1.com

2013 Exxon Mobil Corporation. Mobil, Mobil 1 and the 1 Icon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. Other trademarks shown are property of their respective owners.

2

013

Exxo

n M

obil

Corp

orat

ion.

Mob

il, M

obil

1 an

d th

e 1

Icon

are

trad

emar

ks o

r reg

iste

red

trade

mar

ks o

f Exx

on M

obil

Corp

orat

ion

or o

ne o

f its

sub

sidi

arie

s. O

ther

trad

emar

ks s

hown

are

pro

perty

of t

heir

resp

ectiv

e ow

ners

.

S:7.25

S:10

T:8.464

T:11.023

B:8.875

B:11.4

trained on me, well, that can be unpleasant. I was even photographed in a bikini on a beach with friends. Yes, the paparazzi Fortunately, that doesnt happen very of-ten. I think everyone has to do their job, and the photographers have theirs, too. You just have to accept that.

For that you need technique, tness, and strength of mind. Which is the most important?All three of them are key factors. Tech-nique and tness are always fundamen-tal. But sometimes your mentality makes the crucial dierence in victory or defeat. ere are times when its not a matter of being the fastest or the most talented, but rather having the strongest mentality. In long matches, especially, you have to be tougher in the end than your opponent, and want to win more than she does.

A huge amount of self-sacrice is needed to achieve that.I practice six days a week, with about four hours a day on the court and usually an-other hour in the tness room. And I also devote a lot of time to physiotherapy treat-ments, all the more so if injuries are in-volved. I constantly have to take care of my shoulder, for example.

How do you care for your body so that you can put in top performances at fteen tournaments a year?Its absolutely essential to stay healthy. ats true for everyone, of course, but pro-fessional athletes are probably even more aware of this. You need to avoid injuries and always do the right thing. Over the years Ive learned whats good for my body and the best way to prepare for tournaments. Nothing compares to experience. In addi-tion to lots of practice and physiotherapy, nutrition plays a big role. And, not to for-get, enjoying life!

car. To them it represents a certain per-sonality or a certain look. A Porsche is a visible statement of taste and individ-uality.

Youre a Porsche driver yourselfwhat fascinates you about the 911?Its terric fun to drive a 911. It embodies power and emotionand its just very, very

Do you have favorite photos?I love black-and-white photography, and I also like portraits and shots of people not looking directly at the camera. at makes them more natural, more realistic.

What types of settings produce the best pictures?e sea! Wherever theres water, I always feel comfortable. e sea makes me feel like I can run around and splash in the wa-ter like a child. And you can see this de-light in the picture of course.

Can a car be a star too?Yes, absolutely. e car is often the rst thing that people see when youre driving. ats why some people choose a certain

fast. Ive always liked fast cars, and have a passion for my 911s.

Some people even nd cars sexy.ats easy to understand. e Porsche 911 Turbo S, for example, is denitely sexy.

Lets talk about sports. What do you do to put in top-level performances time and time again?It doesnt happen overnight. It requires years of hard work to be able to do your best on demand. You also have to go through a learning process to be conscious of all the hours of practice youve put in, which en-ables you to believe in your ability. is self-condence is essential for bringing everything out at the right moment.

Having the sea in the background means a lot to Sharapova: Wherever theres water, I feel comfortable

Maria Sharapova was born on April 19, 1987, in the western Siberian town of Nyagan. She moved to Bradenton in Florida at the age of seven, and enrolled two years later at Nick Bollettieris Tennis Academy there. A top-ten player, Sharapova has already won all four Grand Slam tournaments (Wimbledon, US Open, Australian Open, French Open), and she also took top honors at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in 2012 and 2013.

911 (TYPE 991) CO2 emissions: 289 g/km to 194 g/km, Fuel consumption (combined): 12.4 l/100 km to 8.2 l/100 km 911 CARRERA 4S CABRIOLET (TYPE 991) CO2 emissions: 236 (217*) g/km, Fuel consumption City: 14.4 (12.9*) l/100 km, Highway: 7.6 (7.1*) l/100 km, Combined: 10.0 (9.2*) l/100 km* with Porsche double-clutch transmission (PDK)

28

CHRISTOPHORUS | 364 MARIA SHARAPOVA

EN_CPM_364_022-029.indd 28 09.10.13 10:46