Russia yesterday lavished praised on its “legendary” tennis star Maria Sharapova after her French Open victory, the highpoint of a career that took flight when she left her homeland aged seven.
President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev sent congratulatory telegrams to the Florida-based star while the country’s tennis chiefs hoped she would now bring gold for Russia at the London Olympics.
Sharapova cruised past Italy’s Sara Errani 6-3, 6-2 to win the FrenchOpen final on Saturday and seal a rare career Grand Slam of winning the four biggest tournaments in the sport during her career.
