Maria Sharapova at the BNP Open AP/Photo Chris Carlson
For tournament organizers as of late, every time that Ivanovic and Sharapova show, they never know what they are going to get. So much talent between the two players, you would think that they would be performing better leaving many fans questioning their desire.
Between injuries, these two have had a pretty good career, but has it been great? Depends who you talk to. Most people you talk to will say that they are on their way to being done, however, with their age and talent they should be able to compete at the top level and compete a few more years.
As fans looking in to the world of professional tennis, it seems to fans that the players are more worried about personal marketing for big bucks than playing and have lost the fire in their belly to compete and win.
The best players in the world are being seduced by companies and agents gladly bringing their players into a different limelight. Sure agents and marketing reps make more money, however players are simply being distracted by social events that have nothing to do with performing tennis. Is it wrong?
These players growing up in the game fought to win and reach a high professional level. Now that they are there, what are they playing for?
Depending on who you talk with, opinions heat up that the desire to be the best in the world is taken over with commercials and photo shoots, instead of performing practice to compete to win.
Say what you want about Tiger Woods, he is by far the best Athlete in the world who plays to win every tournament he plays and is disappointed when he loses. Losing tournaments have made him better.
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Ana Ivanovic at Madison Square Garden AP/Photo Stephen Chernin
If these two want to compete and perform at the level that got them to number one, they have some serious soul searching to do.
Up and coming young stars like, Azarenka, Wozniacki and Zvonareva make you wonder if it even matters to the WTA and fans if Ivanovic and Sharapova are in their tournaments.
The new young talent is bringing in a new wave of fans and tournaments couldn't be happier.
Maria Sharapova at the BNP AP/Photo Chris Carlson
The bottom-line is that these two talented players need to pick up their practice make some changes and figure out fast, what they need to do to get their games back to the level-most feel-that they can still compete.
Nothing happens overnight, thats for sure, and over time it will come around if they both stay injury free.
Tournaments love having them, the fans love having them. They need to love being at tournaments for the right reasons.
Both players will continue to attract fans to tournaments and many will continue to follow them.
Ana Ivanovic at the BNP AP/Photo Chris Carlson
In a couple weeks both players will be gearing up for Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open.
Fans want to see them win and tournament organizers would like to see them stay in the tournament longer than a day.
It's up to the players themselves to mentally, emotionally and physically prepare for the next big test before the summer season heads into full gear.
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