Wimbledon top priority for Sharapova

TOKYO, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Maria Sharapova will give top priority to the defence of her Wimbledon title this year after insisting the world number one ranking can wait.



"Being number one is not for this year, I don't think," Sharapova told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday. "For this year, I would love to defend Wimbledon. It's what drives me." "My main goal is to be number one in the world of course," added the Russian, who is playing at this week's Pan Pacific Open tournament in Tokyo.
"But if it's not tomorrow, or not in a year then, you know, if it will happen it will happen -- if not, whatever." Sharapova was less ambivalent when asked about her fierce rivalry with Serena Williams, who she beat in last year's Wimbledon final and at the season-ending WTA Tour Championships.