Sharapova

Sharapova, full name Maria Yuryevna Sharapova, is a Russian-born American former professional tennis player who rose to international prominence in the mid-2000s. Born April 22, 1987, in Nyagan, Russia, she moved to the United States to train at a young age. She won four Grand Slam singles titles — Wimbledon in 2004, the US Open in 2006, the Australian Open in 2008, and the French Open in 2012 — and captured the gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, giving her a career Golden Slam. She reached the world No. 1 ranking in 2005 and held the top spot during multiple periods.

Sharapova began playing tennis as a child and joined the IMG Academy’s Bollettieri program in Florida. She turned professional in 2001 at age 14 and quickly emerged as a leading figure on the women’s tour with a combination of power, movement, and competitive temperament. Throughout her career she was known for her baseline game, a strong first serve, and a formidable two-handed backhand, earning endorsements and mainstream attention beyond the sport.

In 2016, Sharapova received a two-year suspension after testing positive for meldonium. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced the ban to 15 months, allowing her to return to competition in 2017, though she did not regain the top form of her earlier years. She announced her retirement from professional tennis in February 2020.

Beyond tennis, Sharapova has pursued business and philanthropy, notably founding the sugar confectionery brand Sugarpova and supporting educational and sports initiatives through her foundation. Her career remains notable for substantial on-court success, as well as a high-profile public and commercial presence.