Apr 19, 2023
At one point, everyone has raved about Russian-born Maria Sharapova as the dangerous combination of beauty with brains has always given audiences a remarkable tennis match. Sharapova became the fourth-youngest woman to ever win the Grand Slam title.
Image Source: Getty Images
Sharapova was just 6 when she started attending a tennis clinic in Moscow which was run by Martina Navratilova, who then recommended that she get professional training in Florida.
Image Source: Getty Images
Born in Nyagan, Sharapova moved to the United States with her father, Yuri Sharapova with a savings of $700 despite not knowing a word of English.
Image Source: Getty Images
History was made when Sharapova won the Grand Slam title, her first, at the age of 17 by beating tennis champion Serena Williams.
Image Source: Getty Images
At the age of 18, Sharapova became the world No. 1 for the first time on August 22, 2005, also becoming the first Russian woman to top the singles rankings.
Image Source: Getty Images
Sharapova bagged five major titles - two at the French Open and one each at the Wimbledon, US Open, Australian Open.
Image Source: Getty Images
In her career, Sharapova won 36 titles in total which also includes the year-end championships in her debut in 2004.
Image Source: Getty Images
In 2016, Sharapova failed a drug test at the Australian Open as she tested positive for meldonium. She was suspended from playing tennis for 15 months.
Image Source: Getty Images
In February 2020, Sharapova announced her retirement after facing defeat to Donna Vekic at the 2020 Australian Open. In her essay published in Vanity Fair, Sharapova said: "I'm new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis - I'm saying goodbye."
Image Source: Getty Images
Thanks For Reading!