Novak Djokovic is one of the biggest tennis stars in the world today. The Serb has played an instrumental role in increasing the popularity of the sport. Given his incredible achievements, Djokovic would be anyone’s pick as the ideal student. However, former coach Ricardo Piatti chose Russian tennis icon Maria Sharapova over the likes of Djokovic and others.
Sharapova left a lasting impact on tennis, as she won five Grand Slams in her career. The former world number one also impressed those she worked with, including Piatti. The Italian has trained several champions over the years, like Novak, Ivan Ljubicic, and Jannik Sinner. He was one of Maria’s last coaches before she hung up her racket in 2020.
Piatti made his revelation during a recent interview with TV Monaco. His answer came as a surprise to many, since Ricardo only worked with her for less than a year. He elaborated on the qualities of Maria that impressed him, like her dedication to the sport. Ricardo added that Sharapova wanted to know about another side of tennis.
@RPiatti interview on @tvmonaco_tv
–https://t.co/faKHB9pZlZ— Piatti Tennis Center (@PiattiTennis) December 18, 2023
“Unfortunately, the player who impressed me the most is the one I coached the least. I trained her for about ten months. It is a woman, Maria Sharapova. With Sharapova, it was really very special because she was about to end her career and she wanted to know another side of tennis,” he said (via Tennis World USA).
Maria Sharapova was an immensely talented and popular player in her career. She carried herself with a charisma that very few possess. Since her retirement, Maria has become a successful entrepreneur, and her family life is thriving as well.
The lack of personalities like Maria Sharapova is hurting tennis
Tennis stars like Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams carried the burden of women’s tennis for decades. They were incredible players and superstars in their own right. Since both retired within a couple of years of each other, Karoline Pliskova feels something has been lacking.
The Czech player claimed that modern players cannot market themselves the way Williams and Sharapova did. She further added that when they were around, conditions were better for the rest of the players too. Furthermore, she went on a rant about how the WTA cannot market women’s tennis.
Karolina Pliskova says WTA doesn’t promote the sport well and that you can’t compare the players of today to Serena Williams & Maria Sharapova:
“I feel that it’s not entirely ideal, even though each of today’s top girls has something to offer. I won’t comment on the tennis, but… pic.twitter.com/k65lX9UDfe
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 18, 2023
However, contrary to Pliskova’s comments, players like Coco Gauff managed to generate interest. The young American was one of the most marketable players around, sitting just behind Djokovic.
Sharapova and Serena Williams were the two pillars of women’s tennis in their prime. Since their retirement, the current crop of players has had big shoes to fill.
