After French win, Maria Sharapova eyes Wimbledon

London: After winning the French Open tennis title, Maria Sharapova is now focussed on Wimbledon beginning Monday.

The 25-year-old is still basking in the glory of her victory over Italy's Sara Errani at Roland Garros this month.

But she is aware there is serious work ahead. "I understand this victory will be with me forever," said Sharapova.

"But, of course, when you come here, after a couple of days' rest, it starts all over again."

For the second successive year, Sharapova is skipping warm up tournaments at Eastbourne, Birmingham and the Netherlands to play at SW19 in her first grass-court event of the season.

"The main thing is I thought about my health," Sharapova said. "I tried to plan my tournaments knowing that I have a lot of experience and an understanding of how my body reacts.

"I tried not to enter too many tournaments, especially ahead of this one."

Sharapova takes on Moscow-born Australian Anastasia Rodionova in the first round.

"I know her, I played against her in Cincinnati last year and won," she said.

"But a whole year has gone by, so you could say this is like a first encounter. It'll be the first round on grass, it's always the hardest."

The Wimbledon starts Monday and ends July 8. (IANS)