Posted on 09/18/2006 5:13:29 AM PDT by beyond the sea
It was a sensational victory for Maria Sharapova, gifted with beauty and talent, in the recently concluded U.S. Open tennis championship.
It’s amazing how the 19-year-old tennis star demolished the defending champion and world #1 woman player Amelie Mauresmo with a lopsided 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 score.
Was Amelie distracted by her opponent’s beauty or was her focus not on the ball but on something else?
* * *
What’s inspiring with Sharapova is that even at the crest of success, she hasn’t forgotten to recognize the role of God in her life. Listen to her "homily" about succeeding enunciated days before the US Open.
"What tennis has brought me has been incredible. God gave me a talent, but it was up to me to play my part in it.
"I don’t believe in just Godgiven talent, you have to work for everything you earn and I think the combination has helped me."
* * *
Briefly, Sharapova is saying that God blesses us with talents but it’s up to us to do our counterpart in order to succeed. That "counterpart" means concretely a lot of sacrifice, long and dreary hours of practice, self-discipline and perseverance. Remember the dictum: "What you are is God’s gift to you; what you become is your gift to God."
Sharapova’s religious principle is something we all can learn from, not only in sports but in all human endeavors – academics, business, positions of leadership.
I love the "I feel pretty" ad.
The song is from West Side Story, which is set in New York City, and is about a girl named Maria. The commercial is set at the U.S. Open, which takes place in New York City, and features a tennis player named Maria.
People talk about how beautiful Maria is while forgetting sometimes that she has game. Note that Maria doesn't sing the song, but everyone she encounters does. Note that the singing continues right on through to the first serve of the match which Maria returns with authority to win the point, and then it stops.
Pretty? Sure. But Maria can bring it.
The analogy is superficial.
West Side Story is Romeo and Juliet set in '50s NY. Rival street gangs replace the Montagues and the Capulets. Maria is a Puerto Rican Juliet. Her beauty is her central attribute.
Notwithstanding the ad's punchline, doing the ad only reinforces the stereotype.
The ad to me says she is more than just pretty. I think it would mean something different if she were the one singing. But she isn't. Everyone around her is. And the singing stops when she hits the ball. In that moment, she transforms from a pretty girl into a world class athlete.
Another way of saying it is that pretty might get the uninitiated in the door, but then they stay for the tennis once they realize she is good.
I agree with you. That is the storyline.
But, nonetheless, doing the ad was not wise, imo.
Not everyone is as thoughtful as you.
Well, whatta babe! And she'll even get ya to the church on time!
Smart, athletic, religious, great moral character, and drop-dead gorgeous. What a woman.
Oh yeah babe, show those legs and toes. GREAT PIC.
Was she arching her back with her eyes rolled back in her head?!
Thanks
Yachi Ba lublu Maria!!!
After reading all the comments on this thread, I can't but believe the real story is being overlooked. If Sharapova keeps on talking like this, and if she plays on any court supported by taxpayers; we may have to ban her from play. I am amazed that the ACLU hasn't already jumped on this.
That's in poor taste.
lol
;-)
Lame!
I believe this picture also is hanging on a wall in the men's room at Portofino Italian restaurant on Cortez Avenue in Bradenton, Florida. At one time, she trained at the IMG Academy with Nick Bolletiere. I had the pleasure of watching her practice - for free - every afternoon on a back court in the Academy. WOW....
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