Exclusive Collection: Rare Photographs of Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova has won four Grand Slams since debuting in 2001, including the 2012 French Open. Here are some rare photos of Sharapova.

Sharapova holds the runner-up trophy after the junior girls singles final at the Australian Open. She fell 6-0, 7-5 to Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic.

Six months before her first career championship at Wimbledon, Sharapova takes on the competition at the Australian Open.

Sharapova returns a ball during training before the Indian Wells tournament.

Another pose by the 15-year old Sharapova.

Sharapova lays out on a carpet of tennis balls before playing in Indian Wells.

A 15-year-old Sharapova poses during a photo shoot in Indian Wells, Calif.

During MTV’s Total Request Live in the Time Square Studios, Sharapova plays Table Tennis.

Sharapova entered the top 10 of the WTA rankings in 2004 after defeating top-ranked Serena Williams in the final at Wimbledon, her first Grand Slam title. With the victory, she became the third-youngest woman to win Wimbledon. Sharapova capped off a breakthrough year with another win over Williams in the final of the WTA Tour Championships.

Sharapova looks at her Sports Illustrated cover while backstage.

As a guest of Matt Lauer and the Today show, Sharapova talks about her teenage success.

Sharapova isn’t too shy to hold the monkey, embrace her new fame and smile for the cameras backstage.

Shortly after winning her first grand slam (Wimbledon) as a 17-year old, Sharapova did her media tours around New York City, including Live! With Regis and Kelly.

In a rare visit back to her home country of Russia, Sharapova poses at a reception before the Kremlin Cup. Sharapova was 18 and the world’s No. 1 player at the time.

The Sharapova tennis cake was made for her 18th birthday, which was sponsored by Motorola at the Hiro Ballroom in New York City.

Sharapova serves against Kim Clijsters in Madrid at the WTA Championships in November 2006.

Sharapova traipses through the surf during her photo shoot for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She was the only athlete to pose for the 2006 Swimsuit Issue.

Sharapova traipses through the surf during her photo shoot for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She was the only athlete to pose for the 2006 Swimsuit Issue.

After missing almost the entire clay court season due to injury, Sharapova returned in time for the 2006 French Open. Despite struggling to get through the first round, Sharapova recovered to advance to the fourth round before losing to Dinara Safina 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.

Sharapova has won over $21 million in prize money, ranking 7th all-time among female tennis players.

Sharapova models for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition of 2006.

With the gorgeous Turks and Caicos beach all around her, Sharapova gazes into the camera for the 2006 edition of the SI Swimsuit issue.

Sharapova was all smiles after knocking off No. 1 ranked Amelie Mauresmo 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 in the semifinals at the 2006 U.S. Open. She followed that up with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over second-seeded Justine Henin to claim her second Grand Slam title. The 19-year-old finished the year ranked No. 2 in the world.

Maria is pictured with the United Nations Ambassadors at the U.N. in New York on Feb. 14, 2007. From left to right — Belarus Ambassador Andrei Dapkiunas, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin and Ukraine’s Deputy Ambassador Viktor Kryzhanivskyi. Sharapova was introduced as Goodwill Ambassador to UNDP and the UNDP Chernobyl Projects, to which she pledged $100,000.

WTA tour players (left to right) Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic pose at the Sony Ericsson pre-Wimbledon party at the Kensington Roof Gardens.

Sharapova attends the pre-Wimbledon party at the Kensington Roof Gardens on June 17, 2010, in London.

With the trademark red clay of the French Open underneath her, Sharapova smashes a powerful serve in 2011.

Maria Sharapova goes full-extension for this backhand lob during the semifinals of the 2012 French Open at Roland Garros. She went on to claim her first French Open title, which was the last of the four major championships for her.

Sharapova with her French Open trophy.

Sharapova launched her new brand ‘Sugarpova’ in Melbourne, Australia, in January.

Sharapova during Day 3 of the Australian Open.

Sharapova and Serena Williams after the final of the Sony Open. Williams won 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Sharapova waits for serve during a match against Carla Suarez Navarro during the BNP Paribas Open.

Sharapova during her 7-5, 6-3 defeat of Carla Suarez Navarro during the BNP Paribas Open.

Sharapova during a promotion of her new candy line “Sugarpova” in the Village area of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Well, Calif.

Sharapova sign autographs at the BNP Paribas Open, which she won to solidify her No. 3 standing in the world rankings.

Sharapova poses with the winners trophy after defeating Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during the singles final of the BNP Paribas Open.

Sharapova poses at the Sugarpova stand during the Mutua Madrid Open tournament in May 2013.

Sharapova and Rafael Nadal returned to Paris this year to defend their 2012 French Open singles titles.