Tennis star Sharapova gets a lift from Porsche racer Webber

FRENCH OPEN tennis champion Maria Sharapova arrived at a pre-Wimbledon party thanks to Australian race Mark Webber

The Porsche 918 Spyder is the most powerful road car, and least polluting, the company has built.

The plug-in hybrid super sports car can reach a top speed of 214 mph, sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, and it produces so little CO2 that it is exempt from the London congestion charge.

Webber arrived fresh from his first outing at the Le Mans 24 hour race with new team Porsche, following his retirement from Formula 1 at the end of last season.

Speaking at the Women's Tennis Association party at the Roof Gardens in Kensington, west London, Sharapova said: "It's definitely the entrance you want to have to a players' party."

The tennis star, dressed in a short white dress, said Wimbledon has a "very special" feel to it.

"It's a beautiful venue. There's so much tradition and around the town there's so much excitement in the lead up to such a big tournament.

"It's a big draw with so many players competing and it's over two weeks so it's just nice to see all the fans follow their favourites and cheer for them.

"The environment is very special when you walk out on to the court," she said.

By Press Association reporters