"they Said It"

MARIA SHARAPOVA

Russian tennis star--and woman of a certain age

?ON HER LOSS IN THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN: "There's nothing negative: I'm 17 years old and I've made it to the semifinals."--Jan. 27, 2005

?ON WINNING WIMBLEDON LAST SUMMER: "I'm only 17 and didn't expect to be able to play two weeks in a row at the same level."--Jan. 16, 2005

?ON HANDLING EXPECTATIONS IN 2005: "I don't think that people really understand that I am only 17."--Jan. 15, 2005

?ON HER PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT: "I'm only 17, so I'm trying to get better even [at] the things I'm good at."--Dec. 18, 2004

?ON HER GAME: "There's a lot of things I have to work on. I'm only 17 and I have a lot of years ahead of me."--Sept. 25, 2004

?ON A LOSS TO RIVAL ANASTASIA MYSKINA: "I'm only 17. When I get to her age, I'll be a lot more experienced player."--July 30, 2004

?ON HER NERVES ON THE EVE OF THE 2004 WIMBLEDON FINAL: "I'm only 17, so how can I be nervous?"--July 5, 2004

?ON WHETHER SHE'D LIKE TO ACT, LIKE SERENA WILLIAMS: "I'm very young--I'm only 17--and right now I just want to be a professional tennis player."--May 10, 2004