The document provides a biography of famous tennis player Maria Sharapova. It describes how she left home at age 9 to train in Florida, requiring her to separate from her mother. Sharapova faced bullying as a foreigner but persevered through hard work, sacrifice, and rigorous training to become the top ranked women's tennis player in the world at age 18. The document emphasizes that achieving dreams requires determination, dedication, and being willing to pay the price through difficult challenges and setbacks.

1. REACH FOR THE
TOP-2
MARIA SHAROPOVA

3. The account is biographical in nature and focuses on the great
achievements of the famous tennis player Maria Sharapova, who earned
the title of the world number one in women’s tennis.The author reveals
that one has to pay a price for reaching the top in the form of hard
labour, rigorous training and sacrifice. Sometimes one has to undergo
mental torture too on this path to success, but the rewards are always
sweet and satisfying.

4. Message
Maria Sharapova's success story imparts the message that sacrifice,
diligence, hard work and dedication do not go unrewarded. Dreams can
be realized only if one works earnestly, putting one's heart and soul in
translating them into reality.

5. Theme
The author reveals the heavy price Maria Sharapova had to pay for
reaching the top—hard labour, rigorous training, and sacrifice. She had
to face separation from her mother and stay in completely unfamiliar
and hostile surroundings for years.

6. Central Idea
Maria Sharapova’s success story as she
became the top seeded woman tennis
player in the world motivates us. She
overcame all the hurdles and bore
humiliation too in order to achieve her
dream. Maria’s hunger for success and her
competitive spirit kept her going.

7. SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE
TWO STORIES
Reach for theTop is a biographical story that tells us about the lives of
two great women, SantoshYadav and Maria Sharapova. It celebrates
the achievements of these two strong ladies who achieved success
despite hardships.One thing common between these two was that they
defied all odds to pursue their passion and succeeded in it.Through this
lesson, students will learn how hard work and determination can help
you go a long way. Moreover, it also shows us that in order to achieve
immense success, we require determination, training, and sacrifice as
well. It shows us that the path of success is not easy but the results are
surely sweet and satisfying.Thus, this chapter serves as an inspiration
for anyone looking to find some motivation to pursue their dreams and
walk the path of success.

8. Summary
The inside story of her life shows us that she started at an early age to
become the top tennis player. She belongs to Siberia, Russia, and left
her home at the age of 9, to begin training for her dream. She had to
separate from her mother when she was just 9 years old and moved to
Florida with her father. Her father worked hard to fund for her training
and she even suffered bullying for being a foreigner.We learn about her
hobbies of dancing, singing, and fashion. Finally, we learn that she
believes while money does play a big part but she always aimed to
become number one.

9. There is something disarming about Maria Sharapova, something at odds
with her ready smile and glamorous attire. And that something in her,
lifted her on Monday, 22 August 2005 to the world number one position
in women’s tennis. All this happened in almost no time. Poised beyond
her years, the Siberian born teenager took just four years as a professional
to reach the pinnacle.

10. Character Sketch
Maria Sharapova- renowned tennis player, calm, composed, tolerant,
confident, strong will power, very competitive, her readiness to
sacrifice, unwavering desire to succeed , true patriot, loved reading
books
Yuri & Yelena Sharapova- Maria’s parents, supportive, displayed
unflinching faith in their daughter’s abilities, worked hard to pay her
fees

11. Asset questions
1.The meaning of ‘something disarming’ is
a. Something that makes you feel friendly
b. Something that makes you embarrassed
c. Something that makes you angry
d. Something that makes you suspicious
2.Maria who had an American accent, showed a rapid ascent to success.
The underlined words means
a. Way of speaking, decline
b. Love for language, progress
c. Manner of expression, rising

12. 3.Which of the following is NOT a synonym of unwavering
a. Resolute
b. flagging
c. Fixed
d. steady
4.Which information about Maria is incorrect?
a. She liked to wear sophisticated gowns
b. She was very competitive
c. She wanted to represent Russia in the Olympics
d. She felt very depressed when her seniors humiliated her

13. Assignment
1. Answer in 30-40 words
a. Why and with whom was Maria sent to the USA?Why was her
mother compelled to stay back?
1. Answer in 40-50 words
a.What situations made Maria determined and mentally tough?
b. Compare and contrast the lives of Maria Sharapova and Santosh
Yadav.

14. 2. Answer in 100-120 words
a. Maria overcame the challenges, humiliations and insults to become
the number one in women’s tennis. Justify.