Maria Sharapova is aiming to make a big impression at the 2012 Olympic games

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World No. 3 Maria Sharapova missed out on the Beijing Olympics in 2008 due to a shoulder injury, and she’s hoping that she can take part in her first ever Olympic games this year in London. The Russian reached the final of this year’s Australian Open, so if she can maintain her current form, she’ll surely be a contender for a gold medal.

“Representing my country there will be a huge honor for me,” commented the 24 year-old. “I'm really looking forward to the grass season. Wimbledon is a big goal every single year. And obviously, two weeks later coming into the Olympics, which I've never been a part of in my career - something that I've wanted to do and be a part of since I was a young kid. In Russia, as an athlete, that was the biggest dream, the biggest goal.”

“I didn't play competitively for a few months, and coming in with an injury in the ankle, to have that result in Australia was personally quite big. Getting to the final is a step forward toward where I want to get,” she continued. “Obviously, you want to be the one holding the trophy, but it doesn't always work out that way.”

“A little luck at times and eventually belief, and it happens. It doesn't come at once, it takes a lot of time and development. As far as this year, I still have many opportunities to hopefully achieve that.”