Her serve is overpowering, her ground strokes are penetrating, and her will to win is punishing. This tennis ace was just 17 she won the prestigious Wimbledon tennis tournament.
Blonde, leggy, and beautiful, she has also featured in many advertisements, including Nike, Prince, and Canon, and is the face of several fashion houses.
In 2011, she was named one of the “30 Legends of Women’s Tennis: Past, Present and Future” by TIME.
Start of professional training
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova was born on April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russia. Her her father took her to the US to impart her training in Tennis. In 1995, at 8 years old, she was sponsored by IMG, who paid the annual tuition fee of $35,000. She began her training at the age of 9 at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy.
Her breakthrough
She defeated two-time defending champion and top seed Serena Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final for her first Grand Slam singles title at the age of 17.
Modelling and campaigns
Sharapova has been featured in a number of modeling assignments, including a feature in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.Â
She also signed a three-year deal to be brand ambassador for Porsche in 2013.
Fall and rise
She was forced out of the game for ten months by a recurring shoulder injury, which ultimately required surgery in October 2008. Sharapova returned to the game in May 2009, returning to the top 10 in March 2011 and capturing her fourth Grand Slam title at the 2012 French Open.
Humanitarian work
Since February 2007, she has been UNDPs Goodwill Ambassador, concerned specifically with the Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme, donating US$210,000 to related projects.
Sugarpova
“Sugarpova” is a candy line created by Maria Sharapova and candy veteran Jeff Rubin, founder of international retailer IT’SUGAR. A portion of all proceeds go towards the Maria Sharapova Foundation, Sharapova’s charity.