Sharapova Speaks: In Press Conference She Takes Hard Questions and Gives Hard Answers

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Sharapova Speaks: In Press Conference She Takes Hard Questions and Gives Hard Answers

Maria Sharapova gave a lengthy press conference after her 7-5, 6-3 win over Roberta Vinci on Wednesday. The topics discussed were varied, and the tone was sometimes antagonistic and sometimes humorous.

More: Sharapova in Mid-Season Form in Stuttgart as Doping Ban Ends

The Russian put a brave face on and dealt with a lot of questions such as whether or not she deserves a wild card, how she feels when other players speak out against her and what she thought of some of the comments her agent Max Eisenbud made about other WTA players.

When asked about the brewing controversy about receiving wild cards into tournaments despite protestations from other players, Sharapova said she'd do anything to play, even if it meant entering qualifying.

"I think I'd be prepared to play in the juniors if I had to," she said. "I think everyone in this room knows what a competitor I am and I don't take everything for granted, and if I get the opportunity to be in a draw then I will take it."

When she was asked to elaborate on whether she felt it was fair, she was quick to reply.

"That's not my job," she said. "My job is to be a tennis player and to be an athlete and to go out on the court and do what I did tonight."

She will face Ekaterina Makarova in her next match at Stuttgart on Wednesday.

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