Sharapova: Roland Garros was 'a step in the right direction'

PARIS, France - Despite seeing her French Open campaign end in just 70 minutes in the quarterfinals, five-time major champion Maria Sharapova called her fortnight in Paris "a step in the right direction."

"It's tough to just assess a single tournament. I think I have to put a lot of things in perspective for the last, what, four, five weeks since the clay season," Sharapova said after a 6-2, 6-1 defeat to Garbiñe Muguruza in the last eight in Paris.

"Coming into this part of the year, I was losing a few first-round matches, matches that I wanted to be winning, of course - but to have had the victories that I have had, to have the results that I have, obviously moving a step in the right direction. Today was certainly not one of those steps."

As it happened: Magnificent Muguruza sinks Sharapova in Paris quarterfinals

Having entered the French Open ranked World No.30, Sharapova came from a break down in the third set to defeat Dutch qualifier Richel Hogenkamp in the opening round, scored a third-round victory over No.6 seed Karolina Pliskova, and also received a walkover from Serena Williams ahead of the pair's fourth round match.

Read more: Serena 'beyond disappointed' to withdraw from French Open

"I expect certain things for myself, being in good positions throughout my career and putting myself in No. 1 ranking. Of course, you know what that feels like and you always have that as a target, there's no doubt," she said.

"I'm also very realistic, and, you know, looking back at where I started, 40, 50 in the world, I don't know what I'll be after this event. I guess it's nice counting those numbers, and getting somewhat of a reward for the efforts, whether they are small or large. You have to take it. You have to appreciate that."

After having not won back-to-back matches since the Australian Open, Sharapova reached at least the quarterfinal stage in three of the four tournaments she played on clay this season.

The five-time major champion reached the last four at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, and also reached the quarterfinals at the Mutua Madrid Open to vault herself into seeded position at a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2016 Australian Open.

"When I'm talking about progression or looking back at the weeks, I think there are a lot of good things like the way my body has handled the long matches that I have played, the back-to-backs," she said.

"Looking at Madrid, Rome, I think that's always one of the toughest back-to-backs on the calendar, especially on a surface like clay. To come out of these weeks and feel fairly healthy is a great thing."

The 2004 Wimbledon champion will now head into the grass court season looking to make a run to the quarterfinals or better in consecutive majors for the first time in nearly five years. 

The Russian last did so at the Australian Open and the French Open in 2013, when she reached the semifinals and the final, respectively. 

"You can look at today and although I don't want to erase it completely, there are a lot of things that I need to look at and face and work towards after this match," Sharapova said.

"I think my body will need a little bit of rest, but mentally I'm ready to go [for the grass season]."