Maria happy as Wimbledon museum goes for her gold

Jun 29, 2005, 12:23 GMT

London - Maria Sharapova will happily give up the gold by donating a pair of her new tennis shoes flecked with the precious medal to the Wimbledon museum.

The teenaged holder, who is defending her title at this edition playing in new clothing - including the 800-dollar pairs of shoes - is so well kitted-out that passing along a dress and pair of trainers is absolutely now problem.

"I I have a lot of those dresses, so I don't think it will be a problem," the 18-year-old said as she powered through into the semi- finals.

But the most recognisable face in the current game jokingly balked when asked if she'd toss in a pair of the special shoes as well.

"I might have to take the gold away," she giggled. "No, sure, I'd give the shoes. No problem."

Sharapova's clothing will join other examples of tennis fashion over the years on display in the museum, now located in a new building on the grounds of the All England club.

It doesn't take much to get shopping-mad Sharapova on the subject of fashion.

"Last year, my dress was very simple, but it was very classy and elegant.

"This year I feel like it's old style. I see pictures on the walls of other players here around the tournament, and I see them wearing, you know, those pleated skirts and some details in the front.

"It makes me think back of the days. Whenever I think of designing a dress or having inspirations for Wimbledon, it's always about tradition and elegance."

Despite her interest in the look of the tennis past, Sharapova is all about the future, with BBC television screening a feature on the young Russian getting down to business in some of the capital's more trendy shops as she loosens the purse strings to satisfy her fashion passion.

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The WTA is aiming to make some history of its own with an ebay auction of 14 rackets signed by past holders of the world number 1 ranking.

The mass of momentos each feature the autograph of a past great, with money raised aiding victims of the December 26 Asian tsunami.

The money raised will be included in the recently launched "Aces For Homes" programme, a partnership with Whirlpool and Habitat for Humanity, helping to provide housing to those affected by the disaster.

The collection includes signed by: Tracy Austin, Jennifer Capriati, Kim Clijsters, Lindsay Davenport, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Justine Henin-Hardenne, Martina Hingis, Amelie Mauresmo, Martina Navratilova, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Monica Seles, Serena Williams and Venus Williams.