Maria Sharapova' new role of French Open favorite does not give insight to every reference made on Twitter. Especially poorly explained ones.
Maria Sharapova's semifinal opponent Eugenie Bouchard: "We're not friends."
Sharapova took a bit of heat following her French Open quarterfinal win over Garbine Muguruza on Tuesday during her post-match news conference. At issue was a tweet from a complimentary Judy Murray about Sharapova's in-match toughness.
Sharapova is like a tea bag. Put her into hot water and ul find out how strong she is.
— judy murray (@judmoo) June 3, 2014
If Murray's name doesn't quickly ring a bell, it didn't to Sharapova, either. And that may have added to her confusion during a confusing line of questioning after her match.
Maria Sharapova dismisses woman who made her the French Open favorite
Sports Illustrated's Beyond the Baseline reporter Courtney Nguyen asked Sharapova about Murray's quote, and below, Sharapova finds out who Murray is.
I had to clarify to Maria Sharapova that Judy Murray is Andy's mom. Gasps among the British press corp, I'm sure. pic.twitter.com/IxQ15vQjyQ — Beyond The Baseline (@SI_BTBaseline) June 3, 2014
Ah, but there was a gasp from an American reporter. New York Times writer Ben Rothenberg sounded genuinely surprised that Sharapova didn't know that Judy Murray was Andy Murray's mother.
"Who is Judy Murray?" -maybe the most shocking thing I've ever heard Maria Sharapova say. #RG14
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) June 3, 2014
The conversation was intended to draw a cute comment from Sharapova, but she could be forgiven for being unprepared about commenting on a reference about tea bags. It's possible to that Sharapova didn't actually hear the entire comment from Murray because she was still trying to grasp that Andy Murray's mother said something about her and that the question was about Sharapova being compared to a tea bag.
When Sharapova asked for an explanation, she might've understood better if the quote was simply repeated.
But the reporter's follow-up made the situation worse, and the conversation deteriorated from there.
Sharapova does not need to apologize for not knowing the name of Andy Murray's mother - unless she and Andy are great friends, which doesn't seem to be the case - or for not immediately getting a tea reference after reaching the semifinals of a Grand Slam.
Who was to blame for the miscommunication during Maria Sharapova's post-match news conference following her semifinal victory at the French Open? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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