Same as Kvitova and Davenport- they arguably were each better at every facet of the game than Sharapova ( except Maria was a better mover than Lindsay) but Sharapova won more cos she was simply more tenacious

@@Ineddiblehulk completely agree about Davenport. I think Lindsay was actually in some ways a better mover too as Maria didn't have very strong legs to hit well off balance, whereas Lindsay did. Maybe Maria was a bit quicker at sprint speed, but neither excelled in that area. Maria was just meaner, as you say, otherwise I think she'd have won fewer slams than Davenport and maybe might have ended with one like Ivanovic.

@@tomgraham6071 yes, Davenport was more like Evert and Hingis, not the most ‘athletic’ but such a natural and instinctive tennis player they moved far better than those more athletic than them simply because they read the play and moved efficiently. Yes Maria had more leg speed but I think you’re right, Davenport was still a superior mover.

@@Ineddiblehulk But that's not a criticism of Maria really. There were so many matches I saw when it could have gone the other way had she not had the grit and reserves to will herself across the finishing line. She had the mentality of a champion. I really don't think there's more she could have achieved in her career considering the era/s she played in and her body. Davenport was pretty good at staying calm when she was ahead and getting the job done, but when she was 4-4 in the final set, and it needed real desire in the pit of the stomach, she so often didn't have it and the other player sprinted through leaving her trailing behind, to use a running analogy.

Well said. Ivanovic always had the complete game. Just not upstairs

Then she went on a losing streak couldn’t back it up