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Maria Sharapor, , a won the, at Wimbledon in 2004, , women's singles, , However, the rapid ascent in a fiercely competitive, world began nine years before with a ie of, sacrifice few children would be prepared to endure, Little Maria had not, , yet celebrated her tenth, birthday when she Was packed off to train in the, , Yuri launched her, stardom. But it also required a heart-wrenching, , two-year separation from her mother Yelena. The, , latter was compelled to Stay back in Siberia because, , of visa restrictions. The nine-year-old girl had, , already learnt an important lesson in life — that, tennis excellence would only come at a price., , “I used to be so lonely,” Maria Sharapova recalls. “I, missed my mother terribly. My father was working, as much as he could to keep eu! tennis-training, , yi So, he couldn't see me either., , eta I was so young, I used to go to is c, 8 p.m The other tennis pupils would come in 4, , Reach for the Top, , AX SHOT ON OPPO