Farewell Maria Sharapova: the ice queen who was more respected than loved
(The Guardian Sports News)

Five grand slam titles was a decent haul for a player renowned for fighting spirit on the court and Hollywood glamour off itFittingly, Maria Sharapova said goodbye to tennis on Wednesday in the pages of not one but two fashion magazines, a self-penned `essay` that allowed no scrutiny but invited a mixture of awe and sympathy.The 32-year-old Russian, who won five grand slams and could freeze a room with her aloof grandeur, will be remembered as the ice queen of the sport, respected more than loved inside the game. She nonetheless was a media darling from the moment she beat Serena Williams to win Wimbledon when only 17 until the fading days of her career when meaningful victories for the world No 373 were distant memories. Continue reading...