Maria Sharapova, 18, unveiled the Nike A-line dress she will wear at the upcoming matches at US Open.

While some tennis players like to make bold fashion statements at the U.S. Open, Maria opted for a light blue number with yellow piping made of Nike's Sphere cooling fabric.

"I love to look elegant and this dress is very light and cool," Maria Sharapova at a press conference at the Town Tennis Club here. "The best thing about tennis is that you can wear cute little dresses and express your individuality."

Maria Sharapova, clad in a white tank top, light blue shorts, flip-flops, a cropped brown jacket and flashy jewelry, chatted with teenage girls who peppered her with questions about fashion, tennis and school. At the event, organized by Nike and moderated by MTV VJ Quddus, Sharapova seemed relaxed and joked about what it's like for her to be in the public spotlight.

"I am a teenager, just like you," she told the dozens of girls in the room, which was set up to resemble a teenager's bedroom, complete with pink and purple pillows. "Sometimes I have bad hair days and I think nothing can help me."

Maria Sharapova said she plans to hit the Marc Jacobs store while in town and is a big fan of the Meatpacking District.

"It's great to be in New York because the crowd is so into tennis and they love to scream and shout," she said. "In Wimbledon, it's very quiet and everyone is sipping their tea the whole time."

"I feel optimistic about the Open and my shoulder is doing well," Maria Sharapova said commenting the fact she dropped out of the recent Rogers Cup tournament in Toronto due to a shoulder injury.

Maria Sharapova fulfilled a lifelong goal Monday (August 22, 2005) when she became the top-ranked player on the Women's Tennis Association Tour Singles Ranking.

Before the US Open, Maria Sharapova will hit Fortunoff's in New York to unveil a new Tag Heuer watch. 

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