By Bill Scott Sep 11, 2006, 7:34 GMT
New York - Newly crowned US Open champion Maria Sharapova plans to continue making a meal of Grand Slams - but won't be crediting any part of her latest triumph to the positive power of one bite of banana.
US Open women's singles champion Maria Sharapova of Russia poses for photographers with the US Open Championship trophy during a photo opportunity on the final day of the 2006 US Open tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows, New York Sunday 10 September 2006. EPA/JASON SZENES
The teenaged Russian added to her bulging bank balance with a 1.7- million-dollar payday for beating Justine Henin-Hardenne Saturday to back up her Wimbledon title from 2004, after finishing second in the run-up US Open series.
With the scent of scandal never out of her mix, the world number 3 has cut off discussion about a hyped-up incident in her semi-final win over top seed Amelie Mauresmo, when father-coach Yuri beckoned her from the sidelines with a 'banana signal.'
The gesture got the American media up in arms about the widespread flaunting of the 'no-coaching' rule, but the Russian was not about to slip on that subject in her moment of triumph.
'My life is not about a banana; it's not about what I wear; it's not about the friends that I have,' Sharapova said.
'My career right now is about winning a tennis match. I'm sitting here as a US Open champion, and the last thing I think people need to worry about is a banana.'
Conspiracy theorists claim that when Yuri held up the offending fruit, it provoked a Pavlov reaction in his daughter, with Sharapova quickly grabbing a potassium-laden banana bite at the next changeover in her win against Mauresmo.
There was more of the same involving a glass of water.
But with her tennis on a high, little could rein in Sharapova's enthusiasm after victory against Henin-Hardenne, finalist at all four majors this season.
'At the end of the day, I'm a two-time Grand Slam champion. I don't care if you talk about a banana,' was the Russian's final word.
After a busy hard-court summer, Sharapova's autumn calendar is a blank slate. The pause will give the teenager time to consider her accomplishment.
'I'm thrilled that I got to experience another Grand Slam win and that it's a different Grand Slam. There's definitely nothing like winning your first major,' she said.
'But to win your second is the cherry on the cake. There are a lot more cherries that I'm gonna put on that cake. I'm looking forward to having them.'
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