The 2004 WTA Tour Championships marked a significant milestone in the career of Maria Sharapova, as she secured the singles title in a memorable final against Serena Williams. This victory was not only her first at the year-end championships but also made her the first, and to date only, Russian woman to win the tournament. Her triumph at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, United States, capped off an impressive season and solidified her position
among the elite in women's tennis.
A Season of Breakthroughs Leading to the Championship
Sharapova's journey to the 2004 WTA Tour Championships was paved with notable successes throughout the year. She had already captured four titles prior to the year-end event, demonstrating her growing prowess on the tour. Her season included a significant win at Wimbledon, where she upset two-time defending champion Serena Williams in the final, marking her first Grand Slam title and propelling her into the top ten rankings for the first time in her career. This Wimbledon victory was hailed by the media as a stunning upset, showcasing her potential for future dominance.
Further solidifying her strong year, Sharapova also secured consecutive titles at the Hansol Korea Open and the Japan Tennis Championships during the fall series. These wins extended her title count to four for the year. She also reached the final of the Zurich Open, defeating Venus Williams en route, though she ultimately lost to Alicia Molik in a tight three-set match. These performances ensured her qualification for the prestigious year-end championships, where only the top players of the season compete.
Navigating the Round Robin and Knockout Stages
At the 2004 WTA Tour Championships, Sharapova was drawn into the Black Group for the round robin stage, alongside Amélie Mauresmo, US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Vera Zvonareva. She demonstrated strong form, winning two of her three matches in the group. Her only loss during this phase came against Mauresmo in her opening match. Despite this, Sharapova successfully qualified for the semifinals by finishing second in her group, setting up a challenging encounter with French Open champion and Red Group leader Anastasia Myskina.
In the semifinal, Sharapova overcame Myskina in a three-set battle, securing her spot in the final. This victory was a testament to her resilience and competitive spirit, as she continued to perform under pressure against top-ranked opponents. The final match pitted her against Serena Williams, a familiar rival whom she had faced twice before in the year, including their memorable Wimbledon final. This final was also the second and last time Sharapova would defeat Williams, as she would go on to lose their subsequent 19 encounters.
The Championship Final and Its Aftermath
The championship final against Serena Williams was a hard-fought contest, with Sharapova ultimately prevailing with a score of 4–6, 6–2, 6–4. The match saw Sharapova lose the first set and even trail 0–4 in the final set before mounting a comeback to secure the title. This dramatic victory made her only the second player in the history of the WTA Tour Championships to win the title on her first attempt, a feat later achieved by Petra Kvitová in 2011, Dominika Cibulková in 2016, and Ashleigh Barty in 2019.
For her triumph, Sharapova earned $1,000,000 in first-prize money and 485 ranking points. She concluded the year ranked World No. 4 and was recognized by the WTA as both the "Player of the Year" and "Most Improved Player of the Year." Her total prize money for the season amounted to $2,506,263, the highest among all players that year. Her victory at the 2004 WTA Tour Championships solidified her status as a rising star and a formidable force in women's tennis.
