The Post: You’ve just won the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, but Facebooked that it wasn’t your best tennis. Why?
Maria Sharapova: It was a really long and tough physical match, over three hours, so I was quite happy to be the champion in the end.
Going into the US Open, you’re ranked No. 4. You’ve come a long way in two years, when a shoulder injury sidelined you and you were ranked No. 126. How did you do it?
It’s been a tough road back to the top, but it’s really part of an athlete’s life. One day you’re healthy, another you find yourself recovering from an injury. It’s always about keeping a good perspective on life, whether you win or lose, [are] healthy or injured. I’ve worked hard to get back to where I am, but I can still improve and get better.
How do you prepare for a major?
A lot of work is done weeks before the tournament itself starts — a lot of training on the court, gym and track work. The week before the major is about maintaining a good balance between getting good practice and rest for the body. Once the tournament starts, you’re playing a lot of tennis, so it’s important that your body and mind [are] fresh before it starts.
You looked awesome in McQueen at last month’s ESPY Awards. Who are your other favorite designers?
For red carpet, I love Lanvin, Chloé, Stella McCartney.
Do you ever wear white off the court?
I love a perfect white tee, usually a V-neck. It’s the perfect staple to mix with summer print bottoms, or with a great pair of Hudson jeans.
What works best for a 6-foot-2 girl like you?
With my height, I can pull off wide-legged pants without having to worry if it makes me look too bulky. Height allows you to work with more structures and looser styles.
Any fall trends you’re excited about?
Moving into fall, I love incorporating short boots into my wardrobe. I can’t wait to wear my Cole Haan Alexis short buckle boot (pictured left) with a pair of shorts and light trench coat for the chillier weather. I love the prints at Suno, so it would be nice to incorporate one of their skirts to wear with simple tees.
Also, I’ve always loved the menswear looks, especially the Stella [McCartney] jackets in camel with high, rolled-up collars.
What are your favorite New York shops?
SoHo has so many great shops and art galleries. I love Kirna Zabete for the variety, Helmut Lang for great layering pieces and jackets, B&B Italia for contemporary furniture and the Aroma cafe for a good latte.
Where do you hang out when you’re here?
I don’t get to come to New York very often, so when I do, I usually try to visit a new restaurant or store. On my last trip I had a great lunch at ABC Kitchen. Maialino is also a yummy Italian [restaurant] I love to go to — great pasta dishes.
You’re engaged to New Jersey Net Sasha Vujacic. It must be hard, though, getting together.
We love spending time together, so it’s always about looking at our schedules and figuring out what works and when we can see each other when we’re both traveling and competing. We’ve done a good job of keeping a good schedule.
When do you plan to marry — and will you design your own wedding gown?
No date’s set for the wedding, and I will definitely work with someone on my dress.
Do you have family still in Russia? After the meltdown at Chernobyl, your family was displaced, and you’ve donated funds to aid in the area’s recovery. Do you return often?
I still have a lot of family in both Russia and Belarus. I try to visit as often as I can, but usually my grandmother comes over to the States once a year for a month or so.
What’s in the bag that you carry on court?
I keep the items in my on-court bag minimal. It’s usually my on-court sports drink, bananas, a change of outfit in case the match goes long.
What will your younger Nike team be wearing on the court?
For this year’s US Open, the girls are wearing the top and skirt version of my day dress. The color combination is quite playful — lavender gray with a pop of neon pink on the collar and trims on the skirt.
How do you get your design ideas?
I get inspired by traveling and street style. I love seeing how different women put together outfits and how they accessorize and how they carry their bags . . . Fashion is so individual, and I love exploring that, whether I’m in New York or Tokyo.
A fashion ace on the court
Maria’s looks for the Open are about contrast. Her style by day is a sweet, all-American look, in a gray Nike Ace Day Dress with solar red straps and piping wrapping around from front to back. At night, her look becomes edgier and more aggressive. The palette reflects the city at night, featuring a deeper city gray with dusky blue and attention-grabbing, high-voltage fluorescent straps showcasing a plunging V-neck.
Top 10 things you didn’t know about Maria
1. She loves red velvet cupcakes.
2. She likes a cup of tea in the afternoon.
3. She adores Disneyland.
4. She likes to play bocce on the beach.
5. She loves Napa Valley.
6. She has 5.2 million Facebook fans.
7. She’s naturally left-handed.
8. She’s obsessed with her new Head IG Instinct racquet.
9. She’s not superstitious.
10. According to Forbes, she’s the highest-paid female athlete.