Maria Sharapova's South American Tour
As part of her off-season training, Maria Sharapova played some exhibition matches in South American in cities not currently served by a major women’s pro tennis tournament. Starting in late November and concluding about a week later, Sharapova played matches in
Chile and Brazil. Maria’s opponent for these exhibitions was Argentine, Gisela Dulko, the player who upset her at Wimbledon last summer.
Maria beat Dulko in both South American exhibition matches, the final one in Brazil in a super tie-breaker (10-7) in place of a third set. In addition to the tennis, the Tour included tennis clinics for local children, as well as fashion shows and charity appearances. In the past, Sharapova has also played a series of off-season exhibition matches, e.g. Japan in 2005. These exhibition “Tours” are win-win situations because tennis fans in cities and countries that may not (yet) hold a pro tennis tournaments have a chance to experience the excitement of live professional tennis featuring some the game’s biggest stars such as Sharapova. The matches also offer the players a pressure-less opportunity to slowly play themselves back into match shape after their off-season vacation.
Maria beat Dulko in both South American exhibition matches, the final one in Brazil in a super tie-breaker (10-7) in place of a third set. In addition to the tennis, the Tour included tennis clinics for local children, as well as fashion shows and charity appearances. In the past, Sharapova has also played a series of off-season exhibition matches, e.g. Japan in 2005. These exhibition “Tours” are win-win situations because tennis fans in cities and countries that may not (yet) hold a pro tennis tournaments have a chance to experience the excitement of live professional tennis featuring some the game’s biggest stars such as Sharapova. The matches also offer the players a pressure-less opportunity to slowly play themselves back into match shape after their off-season vacation.
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