Memory Lane: Maria works on her spiral

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Memory Lane is a recurring feature in which we dig through SI.com’s photo archives for classic pictures.

This is just an amazing set of pictures that left me very much confused and amused.

Keeping with today's "height differential" theme, check out these pictures of Maria Sharapova dwarfing San Diego Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie while in town for the JP Morgan Chase Open in 2003. Looks like she was pretty comfortable on grass even before she won Wimbledon in 2004.

Of course, winning Wimbledon would change everything. She's the only woman on Forbes' list of the 40 most valuable sports brands, commanding a portfolio valued at $9 million a year. Just last year she signed the biggest endorsement deal ever for a female athlete,  an eight-year contract extension with Nike worth $70 million.