Sharapova muscles up

ByEurosport

Published 02/01/2007 at 12:46 GMT

Maria Sharapova says she has bulked up in an attempt to find more success in this year's Grand Slams. The world number two is in Hong Kong for a three-day Champions Challenge exhibition, a warm-up for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 15.

TENNIS 2006 Los Angeles Maria Sharapova, eliminada

Image credit: EFE

"I gained a lot of muscles last year," the 19-year-old said on Tuesday. "I definitely feel physically stronger than I was here two years ago. I feel much more experienced.

"I'm able to play Grand Slams. I'm able to play several matches without feeling physically tired," she said.

Sharapova added that winning the French Open title was one of her New Year resolutions, and went on to dismiss suggestions that her blossoming modelling career could prove a distraction.

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"I only play about three tournaments a year on clay and obviously French is one of the biggest and prestigious Grand Slams, so definitely it means a lot to win," Sharapova said.

"I'm happy with the way my career is going at the moment.

"I'm working hard on my game and I can hardly say that for the modelling," the 2004 Wimbledon and reigning US open champion added.

"I can't tell you how I may feel in the future - you never know, I may wake up in the morning and not want to play anymore.

"But at the moment I want to play and when that feeling goes, that's when I'll stop."

Australian Open