After an exhilarating but "exhausting" experience at the Sochi Winter Games, Maria Sharapova is ready for a return to competition.
Sharapova carried the torch at the opening ceremonies in the Russian city where she once lived, and also acted as a correspondent for NBC during the first few days.
"The torch was probably the biggest honor I could have received," she told reporters at Indian Wells. "Just even in the lead up to running on the stadium — the atmosphere before, being in the green room with everyone that was part of the opening ceremonies, and to see everyone come out and go out and be so excited for each other.
"We're just, you know, creating a little part of our history, you know, to be in the Olympics. It was the first time I had all of my family in the stadium watching me as well — my grandparents, both of my parents were there. So that never really happens. It was really unique."
But now, Sharapova has her attention fully focused on back-to-back events at Indian Wells and Miami, where last year she respectively won the title and reached the final.
"After Sochi, it's great to come back and get back on the court," she said. "Obviously great memory here last year so it's nice to be back."