Maria is a dear. I hope she keeps a steady level in the future. She could be a great example to all girls and women. She has worked hard at her game. May I say as a guy who knows tennis pretty well......... she really has worked quite a lot with her game.
She is not the most graceful player. She's had to work on it, especially since she grew two or three inches the past year or so.
Here's wishing that she keeps calm and centered and has a meaningful life in the future.
I agree with your analysis of her tennis (and her eyes). ;)
Maria doesn't have the grace or the repertoire or the court sense or the natural ability of a Federer, say. (But who does?) She isn't the best moving forward, i.e., approaching the net, etc.
But she's good moving laterally and she has power--her height gives her reach and leverage.
Most of all, she has determination, an offensive mindset, precision and guts: She will not hesitate to go for the offensive shot and corners in a big point.
It is the last item that, IMO, separates the top-10 from so many of equal or even greater ability on the pro circuit.
As for your comment about a centered life, I question the judgment of her handlers--(her father?)--witness the "I feel pretty" ad; catchy and clever work better with a tad less conceit.