Calvy said:
Serena does have extra motivation vs The Pova.
Werthiem:
But tactics are secondary when these two meet. The bottom line is that Williams just relishes putting Sharapova in her place. Sharapova is the highest-earning female athlete in the world, yet her résumé pales in comparison to Serena’s. As the saying goes, nothing is more dangerous than a fit and motivated Serena Williams. For her, seeing Sharapova across the net, the woman who won her maiden Slam at Wimbledon at Williams’ expense, is all the motivation that the American has ever needed.
• OK, statute of limitations is off. Yes, Serena has extra desire against Sharapova. My sources tell me that it's less about the tennis than the endorsements. Williams knows that Sharapova, despite her inferior accomplishments, earns appreciably more in off-court income. Members of Serena's entourage have even been known to needle her, telling her, "You made Maria the star she is. You created the monster!" (Translation: Serena's failure to beat Sharapova in the 2004 Wimbledon final gave rise to Sugarpova and all that.)
Serena's results against Sharapova tell it all.
