Maria Sharapova isn't used to giving compliments to Serena Williams.
That could explain the rough-edged praise the world's No. 2 women's tennis player gave the No. 1 tennis player, according to tennis.com.
Sharapova, who is in Brisbane, Australia to play a warmup tournament before the 2015 Australian Open, was asked about Williams' game now at age 33.
"You can't say someone is on the edge of the cliff when they are No. 1 in the world," Sharapova said, according to tennis.com. "She still came through and finished the season strong. Even though she's 33 years old, she's still very strong and very powerful and has so much experience and that shows when she plays on court."
Maria Sharapova says No. 1 ranking isn't her priority for 2015
The context of the question to Sharapova is unknown, so it is uncertain whether she was just repeating or rephrasing the question when she made her comments. But she did point out that Williams is 33, and also used the phrase "on the edge of a cliff," which isn't normally the first thing used to describe the dominant Williams' game.
Williams holds a 16-2 edge in her head-to-head series with Sharapova and has won 15 in a row. Sharapova had a chance to overtake Williams at the 2014 season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore had she won the event.
Sharapova, however, never got a chance to play Williams because she was bounced from the pool-play bracket opposite Serena.
That prompted Sharapova to say some more interesting comments to BBC.com afterward.
"I got the job done," said the 2014 French Open, champion according to BBC. "I know I'm not moving forward, but I'm proud of that effort and to finish the year off on this way.
Then, she added, "I will not be chasing the number one ranking next season," she said. "I think adding more Grand Slams is the top priority."
Chasing No. 1, after all, would mean that she's chasing Williams.
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