Russia on Sunday lavished praised on its "legendary" tennis star Maria Sharapova after her French Open victory, the highpoint of a career that took flight when she left her homeland aged seven.
President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev sent congratulatory telegrams to the Florida-based star while the country's tennis chiefs hoped she would now bring gold for Russia at the London Olympics.
Sharapova cruised past Italy's Sara Errani 6-3, 6-2 to win the French Open final on Saturday and seal a rare career Grand Slam of winning the four biggest tournaments in the sport during her career. "You have reached the peak which was conquered earlier only by the world's strongest and legendary tennis players - the wining of all four Grand Slam events," Putin said in his message to Sharapova.
"This is a deserved award for your talent and outstanding work," he added. Medvedev offered his congratulations to the tennis player on his Facebook page. "You showed magnificent play there. All of Russia, millions of your fans across the country supported you and wished you to win there."
Russian tennis fans have always been unstinting in their support of Sharapova, known affectionately by her short name "Masha", even though she is resident in the United States and only rarely comes home.