Maria Sharapova Healthy Quotations

I'm going to be busy these next several weeks rehabbing, training and getting healthy so that I can play my very best for myself, the fans, tournaments and sponsors in 2006. I tried my best to fight through my injuries during the season, but I now realize that I need to take some time off to rest my body and get back to being 100 percent healthy. I look forward to regaining my form and playing at the same highly competitive level that I have in the past. This has been such a disappointing year for me because I'm such a competitive person and I like to win for myself and for my fans.

Eight weeks ago, I wasn't sure if I was playing tennis again. So to be out here feeling healthy and being able to move and hit my shots, that part alone feels great to me, let alone actually playing well. So now all of a sudden I'm faced with the reality that I can actually go enjoy the Open this year because I'm doing a few things right, which is nice to feel. I like where I am right now.

Reaching the No. 1 ranking has been a lifelong goal of mine, and achieving it here in Los Angeles would have been a dream come true. I am eager to get back to feeling 100 percent healthy and playing as soon as possible.

I hope to be able to play (the Gold Coast) in 2007, and will be doing everything possible in consultation with my doctors to be healthy enough to play this Australian Open.

Right now the most important thing to become number one is to be healthy and ready to play. When you are healthy and happy, then you perform your best, so that's very important that I'm healthy.