MAR1.A & NO.1VAK – It’s no longer lonely at the Top

Maria Sharapova became the tenth woman in tennis history to win all four Grand Slam titles as the HEAD Racquet Rebel defeated Italy's Sara Errani 6-3, 6-2 to win the 2012 French Open trophy. Sharapova also takes over as world No.1 again, returning to the top four years after her last appearance at the summit.

"This is such an incredible moment," said Sharapova, winner of WTA clay titles this spring in Stuttgart and Rome. "I've worked so hard to get to this stage. There were so many emotions when I won the last point." In her post-final interview with HEAD on http://www.youtube.com/headtennis Sharapova, who has fought back from a shoulder injury in the last two seasons, paid tribute to her HEAD YouTek IG Instinct MP racquet, which she had switched to last year. "When I picked up the racquet and tested it out, I knew right away that I loved it," said Sharapova. "I have a new team, a new coach and a new racquet. A lot of little changes have paid off. I'm here now and it's all been worth it." Sharapova added the French Open to her Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon 2004, the US Open 2006 and the Australian Open four years ago: "This is a magnificent moment of my career. I'm speechless."

MAR1.A is joining NO.1VAK on the top of the tennis world rankings. Playing with his YouTek IG Speed MP, Novak Djokovic claimed a spot in the French Open final and took Rafael Nadal to the edge with a battling performance over two days after play was suspended due to rain. "It's beautiful, these matches make you feel like all the work that you put into it is worth it," said Djokovic. "You're living for this moment: to play finals of any Grand Slam; and sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I lost this time. But I believe that there are still many years to come, and hopefully I can come back stronger." Despite his 4-6, 3-6, 6-2, 5-7 loss to Nadal, Novak Djokovic is keeping his spot as ATP No.1 to make it for the first time ever a HEAD duo at the top of the sport.

To celebrate this, HEAD is inviting all fans on Facebook to show their support for MAR1.A and NO.1VAK with a special profile picture via an application on http://www.facebook.com/headtennis. On HEAD Twitter, followers also have the chance to win the players’ signed HEAD racquets – simply by twittering @ http://www.twitter.com/head_tennis why Maria and Novak inspire them.

Completing the success of the HEAD Racquet Rebels at Roland Garros, Roberta Vinci claimed her first career Grand Slam honour as the Italian, playing with her YouTek IG Extreme Pro, partnered with singles finalist Errani to win the women's doubles title after a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 over Russian Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/headtennis
http://www.youtube.com/headtennis
http://www.twitter.com/head_tennis