Maria Sharapova was in New York City for the Valentine's Day launch of the 2006 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old Russian superstar has made quite a splash in this year's edition.
She has been photographed at the Grace Bay Club in Turks and Caicos by legendary Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss Jr.
"I love doing new things. Being in a bikini is very different, you don't have a lot to work with, just your body and sand and water. But I got used to it," she said.
Sharp focus
Sharapova said the launch was an entertaining diversion, but she was as focused as ever on her tennis game.
"I love to compete, that's what I do best. These are just things that I love to do for fun," she said.
Sharapova has yet to win on tour this year. However, she advanced to the semifinals at the Australian Open despite a nagging shoulder injury, and then lost to Justine Henin-Hardenne in three sets.
"It was good. I had a shoulder injury and I didn't really think I'd be out there so I was very happy with my performance," she said.
{{/usCountry}}"It was good. I had a shoulder injury and I didn't really think I'd be out there so I was very happy with my performance," she said.
{{/usCountry}}The Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition reaches 64 million adults in the US alone, nearly tripling its normal weekly readership of 21 million. It will also be circulated in 15 different countries and 12 different languages.