In 2006, Maria Sharapova found herself in a unique position during the WTA Tour Championships in Madrid. This edition of the prestigious tournament marked a departure from the norm, as organizers sought to challenge traditional gender roles by holding a casting call for ball boys. The decision was a response to the criticism faced by the 2004 Madrid Masters, which had featured models as ball girls, sparking controversy.
The panel entrusted with selecting the ball boys comprised notable figures, including Maria Sharapova herself, former World No. 1 Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, and Argentine actress Natalia Verbeke. Sharapova, known for her charisma and candid personality, injected a touch of humor into the proceedings, expressing her lighthearted intentions with a quip: “I came here to see hot guys and have a good time.”
During the auditions, Sharapova took an active role in engaging with the candidates. Her playful approach involved quizzing the aspiring ball boys about tennis and her own career. One memorable interaction unfolded with a young candidate named Israel. When asked about his favorite tennis player, Israel responded with “Lindsay Davenport,” prompting astonishment from Sharapova. Her witty response, “A zero. You’ve just earned yourself a zero,” resonated with laughter throughout the room.
Beyond the entertaining episode of the ball boy auditions, Sharapova’s performance on the tennis court during the 2006 WTA Tour Championships demonstrated her prowess. Arriving in Madrid on the heels of four consecutive tournament victories, including the prestigious US Open, Sharapova was seeded second in a highly competitive field.
Placed in Group Red, Sharapova faced formidable opponents in the form of fourth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, Kim Clijsters, and seventh seed Elena Dementieva. Undeterred, Sharapova commenced her campaign by dispatching Kuznetsova with a convincing 6-1, 6-4 win. She continued her winning streak by overcoming Clijsters 6-4, 6-4, and then secured the top spot in her group with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Dementieva.
In the semifinals, Sharapova encountered a formidable adversary in third seed Justine Henin. Despite a valiant effort, Sharapova succumbed to Henin in a closely contested match, with a scoreline of 6-2, 7-6(5). Henin went on to clinch the WTA Tour Championships title by defeating top seed Amelie Mauresmo in the final.
While the loss in the semifinals marked the end of Sharapova’s run in the tournament, it capped off an exceptional 2006 season for the Russian star. Boasting a remarkable 87% win percentage, Sharapova triumphed in 59 out of 68 matches, securing five titles throughout the year. The pinnacle of her success came at the US Open, where she clinched the title by defeating Justine Henin in the final, solidifying her year-end ranking as World No. 2.