Reach for the Top - 2 Summary Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 7

Reach for the Top Part II is about the world-renowned tennis player, Maria Sharapova’s rise to the top in the world of tennis. The secret behind her phenomenal success lies in the harsh struggle and the immense sacrifice made by her and her parents.  

This mental strength, coupled with her competitive nature, hard work and sacrifice won her the number one position in the world in women’s tennis. Maria has also brought her own brand of glamour to tennis by designing her own unique tennis outfits.

Maria Sharapova

Summary

Maria Sharapova, a young Russian tennis player, achieved the world number one position in women's tennis on August 22, 2005, at the age of eighteen. This incredible accomplishment was the result of years of hard work, determination, and sacrifice.

Maria Sharapova at Wimbeldon 2019

• Maria's journey to the top began at the age of nine when she was sent to the United States to train in Florida. This decision required her to be separated from her mother for two years due to visa restrictions. Despite feeling lonely and enduring harsh treatment from her fellow tennis pupils, Maria never gave up on her dream, developing mental toughness and resilience.

• This toughness was a key factor in her winning the women's singles crown at Wimbledon in 2004 and her meteoric rise to the world number one spot the following year. Maria strongly believes that her sacrifices were worth it, stating that she is very competitive and sees tennis as her job.
• Though she speaks with an American accent, Maria proudly identifies as Russian and is willing to represent her country in the Olympics. Besides tennis, she enjoys fashion, singing, dancing, and reading novels by Arthur Conan Doyle. She is also fond of wearing sophisticated evening gowns and indulging in pancakes with chocolate spread and fizzy orange drinks.
• Maria Sharapova's talent, unwavering desire to succeed, and readiness to sacrifice have propelled her to the top of the world in women's tennis. Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, and she views the monetary gains from her success as a motivation to maintain her position.  

Maria with her parents

Title

Reach for the Top is a very appropriate title for this account of Maria Sharapova’s journey, when at the age of nine, she came from the frozen plains of Siberia to USA with her father to train in tennis and achieve the world number one position in women’s tennis.

• The ‘top’ symbolizes the highest point reached by Maria Sharapova. She reached this ‘top’ by the dint of her earnest efforts and diligent work. 
• Thus, the title is apt in that it salutes the courage and strong willpower of this young tennis star who overcame all hardships and obstructions to reach the top.

Theme

This biographical account focuses on the achievements of the tennis player, Maria Sharapova who earned the title of the world number one in woman’s tennis in 2005. The author reveals the heavy price Maria Sharapova had to pay for reaching the top—hard labor, rigorous training, and sacrifice. 

• She had to face separation from her mother and stay in completely unfamiliar and hostile surroundings for years. 
• She also faced humiliation but never let it affect her negatively. She had to undergo mental torture and bullying by other players too, but she did not let any of these problems deter her. on her path to success. 

She took these problems as challenges, and with her mental toughness and competitive nature, she succeeded in achieving her goal.

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. Nothing can obstruct those who stick to their path with an unwavering devotion.