On the eve of the year-end WTA Championships in Istanbul, Maria Sharapova sat down with CNN’s Alex Zolbert for an in-depth interview. The Russian who completed her career Grand Slam earlier this year at the French Open, discusses her upbringing in tennis, advice for young juniors and parents, and her recovery from a difficult shoulder injury.

Sharapova admitted that she’s had a “lot of luck” in reaching the top of the sport.

Next week the second-seeded Sharapova will make her sixth appearance at the WTA Championships. She won the title in 2004 and last year she fell in the round robin.

The tournament begins on Tuesday.