Maria Sharapova Biography | Wiki
Maria Sharapova ( Full Name: Maria Yuryevna Sharapova) is a popular Russian former tennis player who competed on the WTA Tour from 2001 until 2020 and was ranked world number 1 in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for 21 weeks. Besides, Maria is one of ten women, and the only Russian, to achieve the career Grand Slam. Maria is also an Olympic medalist, having won silver in women’s singles at the 2012 London Olympics. Maria has been considered one of the best tennis competitors of her generation.
She became the world No. 1 for the first time on 22 August 2005 at the age of 18, becoming the first Russian woman to top the singles rankings, and last held the position for a fifth time for four weeks from June 11, 2012, until July 8, 2012. She failed a drug test at the 2016 Australian Open, testing positive for meldonium, a substance that had been banned (effective 1 January 2016) by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). On June 8, 2016, Maria was suspended from playing tennis for two years by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
On October 4, 2016, the suspension was reduced to 15 months, beginning from the date of the failed test, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport found that Maria had committed “no significant fault” and that she had taken the substance “based on a doctor’s recommendation. Maria returned to the WTA Tour on 26 April 2017 at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. As per Forbes, Maria has been the highest-paid female athlete in the world for 11 consecutive years and earned US$285 million (including prize money) since she turned pro in 2001. In 2018, Maria launched a new program to mentor women entrepreneurs.
Maria Sharapova Age | Born
Maria was born on April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. She is 37 years old. Maria celebrates her birthday on April 19, every year.
Maria Sharapova Height | How Tall | Tall
She is a woman of above-average stature. Maria stands at a height of 6 ft 2 in ( Approx. 1.88m ).
Maria Sharapova Family
She was born in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. Maria’s parents, Yuri Sharapov and Yelena, are from Gomel, Byelorussian SSR. Concerned about the regional effects of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident, her parents left their homeland shortly before Maria was born. In 1994, Maria moved from Russia to the United States of America along with her father to enroll at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. Maria’s mother had to stay back in Russia as she did not get a visa and joined them after two years.
Maria Sharapova Nationality
She is a former tennis player who holds Russian nationality.
Maria Sharapova And Husband | Husband | Spouse | Fiance | Partner
Maria is engaged to her partner Alexander Gilkes a businessman who co-founded venture studio Squared Circles, which launched in 2020. Alexander was previously the co-founder and president of the online auction house Paddle8 from 2011 until 2018 when it was sold to The Native. In December 2020, Alexander proposed to Maria and the pair announced their engagement via Instagram. A year later, Maria announced that they were expecting their first child together. The two welcomed their son, Theodore, in July 2022.
Maria Sharapova First Husband
In 2011, Maria was engaged to Slovenian professional basketball player Sasha Vujačić, with whom she had been in a relationship since 2009. On August 31, 2012, Maria confirmed that the pair had ended the engagement and separated earlier that year. Between 2012 and 2015, Maria dated Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov.
Maria Sharapova Son
Maria and her fiance businessman Alexander Gilkes have a son Theodore. Their son was born on July 1, 2022.
Maria Sharapova Education
She was not granted admission to Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy immediately as she was too young to join the academy. Maria initially took up tennis training at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy and afterward signed a deal with the International Management Group (IMG), a global sports and talent organization based in New York.
Maria Sharapova Tennis | Tennis Star
She began her professional Tennis career in 2001 and made her first WTA debut at the Pacific Life Open in 2002. Since Maria was young, there were restrictions on how many professional events she could play. Therefore, Maria decided to concentrate on junior tournaments. In 2002, Maria reached the finals of the girls’ singles events at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. In 2003, she made her debut at the Australian Open and French Open but lost in the first round at both tournaments. Maria won her maiden WTA title at the Japan Open Tennis Championship. Maria was awarded the WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2003.
She won her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 2004, at the age of 17, after defeating defending champion Serena Williams. Maria thus became the second Russian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title. As a result of her win, she entered the top 10 in the rankings for the first time. In 2005, Maria reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and the quarterfinals of the French Open. Maria also reached the semifinals of Wimbledon before losing to the eventual champion Venus Williams. On August 22, 2005, Maria became the first Russian woman to hold the world No. 1 ranking. But Maria’s reign at the top was short lived and within a week she lost her No. 1 ranking to Lindsay Davenport.
In 2006, she reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, lost in the fourth round of the French Open, and was defeated in the semifinals of the Wimbledon by the eventual champion Amelie Mauresmo. Maria won the second Grand Slam singles title of her career when she defeated Justine Henin to win the U.S. Open. In 2007, Maria reached the finals of the Australian Open, reached the semifinals of the French Open, lost in the fourth round of the Wimbledon, and made an exit in the third round of the U.S. Open. She began endorsing Head racquets in 2011 and used their Instinct line, winning the French Open in 2012 and 2014 until Maria retired in 2020.
Maria Sharapova 2023 | Now
As of 2023, Maria is still engaged to Alexander Gilkes, a British businessman and co-founder of online auction house Paddle8.
Maria Sharapova Dress
In 2017 Maria wore a little black dress designed by Riccardo Tisci and Nike and embellished with Swarovski crystal and lace.
Maria Sharapova Vs Serena Williams
She held three match points in the third set of her semifinal match, prior to losing to eventual champion Serena Williams. Maria was the top seed at the Australian Open due to top-ranked Justine Henin’s withdrawal. Following being two points away from defeat in the first round against Camille Pin, Maria went on to reach the final of the tournament for the first time but was routed there by Serena Williams who was ranked world No. 81 at the time.
Maria Sharapova Height And Weight | Weight And Height
She stands at a height of 6 ft 2 in ( Approx. 1.88m ) and her weight is 54kg (130 lbs).
Maria Sharapova Grand Slams | Grand Slam | Grand Slams Won Singles
She won five Grand Slam singles titles during her career. The Russian won Maria’s first major at Wimbledon in 2004 as a 17-year-old beating Serena Williams in the final.
Maria Sharapova Weight
Maria’s weight is 54kg (130 lbs).
Maria Sharapova Husband Age
Maria’s partner Alexander Gilkes is a 44-year-old who was born in July 1979 in Camden, London, England.
Maria Sharapova Husband Name
Maria’s partner’s name is Alexander Gilkes.
Maria Sharapova Husband Net Worth
Her partner Alexander Gilkes is a businessman with a net worth of $25 million.
Maria Sharapova Husband Height
Maria’s partner Alexander Gilkes stands at a height of 6 ft 0 in ( Approx. 1.83m ).
Maria Sharapova And Alexander Gilkes
Since 2018, Maria has been in a relationship with British businessman Alexander Gilkes. The two became engaged on December 17, 2020, and welcomed a son on July 1, 2022. Alexander attended Eton College where he befriended Prince Harry and Prince William.
Maria Sharapova Height in Feet
She has a height of 6 ft 2 in ( Approx. 1.88m ).
Maria Sharapova Career Earnings
Maria’s career earnings of $325 million from prize money, endorsements, and appearances rank second all-time among women, behind her longtime adversary Serena Williams ($350 million).
Maria Sharapova Titiles
She won five major titles — two at the French Open and one each at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Maria won 36 titles in total, including the year-end championships in her debut in 2004. Maria also won three doubles titles. Although she played under the banner of Russia with the WTA.
Maria Sharapova First Grand Slam
She won her first grand slam singles title at the 2004 Wimbledon Championships by defeating top seed and two-time defending champion, Serena Williams in straight sets. Maria finished the year by winning the year-ending WTA Tour Championships, defeating Williams in three sets after trailing 4–0 in the final set.
Maria Sharapova Shark Tank
She appeared as a guest shark in the American TV show Shark Tank in 2020, where Maria teamed up with Mark Cuban to invest $900,000 for a 30% stake in Wearable wrist and ankle weights company Bala Bangles.
Maria Sharapova Young
Maria was born in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union to her parents. When she was merely 13 years old, Maria won the Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championships in the girls’ 16 division and was then awarded the ‘Rising Star’ award.
Maria Sharapova House
She created a beautiful home in L.A. inspired by Japanese architecture and minimalist aesthetic. Maria’s house if worth $8.6 million. The home opens out onto a small garden with an al-fresco dining area and pool, with a small lawn.
Maria Sharapova Retirement
On February 26, 2020, Maria announced her retirement today in an exclusive essay for Vogue and Vanity Fair. Maria won five Grand Slams and was Forbes’ highest-paid female athlete for 11 straight years, but injuries and a suspension for using a banned substance have kept her off the courts for large chunks of the past four years.
Maria Sharapova 2022
In April 2022, she announced that they were expecting their first child. On July 1, 2022, Maria gave birth to a son Theodore.
Maria Sharapova Eugenie Bouchard
She played a second-round encounter with Eugenie Bouchard which after three sets Maria lost. Eugenie is a Canadian professional tennis player who became the first Canadian-born player representing Canada to reach the final of a major singles tournament, finishing runner-up to Petra Kvitová.
Maria Sharapova Wedding
She is preparing for her wedding with her long-term partner and fiance Alexander Gilkes, as per reports. The two became engaged in 2020.
Maria Sharapova Net Worth | Worth | Net Worth 2023
Maria gets her wealth from her work as a former pro tennis player who became the first Russian woman to win Wimbledon and earned a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Therefore, Maria has accumulated a decent fortune over the years. Maria’s net worth is $180 million.
Is Maria Sharapova Married
She is engaged to the co-founder of venture studio Squared Circles Alexander Gilkes.
How Tall Is Maria Sharapova
Maria is a woman of above-average stature who stands at a height of 6 ft 2 in ( Approx. 1.88m ).
How old is Maria Sharapova
Maria is a 37-year-old who was born on April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. Maria celebrates her birthday on April 19, every year.
How Much Is Maria Sharapova Worth
Maria is worth $180 million due to her work as a renowned professional tennis player.
What Is Maria Sharapova’s Net Worth
Her net worth is $180 million due to her work as a former tennis player who competed on the WTA Tour from 2001 until 2020.
Where Was Maria Sharapova Born
She was born in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.
Who Is Maria Sharapova
She is a world-renowned professional tennis player who hails from Russia. Maria started her professional tennis career at the age of 14 and despite suffering from multiple injuries during the course of her career, She is one of the few woman tennis players to earn several accolades and retain her position in the sport. Other than sports, Maria has endorsed multiple brands owing to her popularity and good looks. She has also supported the United Nations Development Programme.
Maria Sharapova Social Media Account
Instagram – mariasharapova
Twitter – @MariaSharapova