Maria Sharapova, now 37, stunned fans at Wimbledon on the 20th anniversary of her 2004 win, showcasing her post-retirement transformation and sparking interest in her life after tennis
Maria Sharapova garnered attention at Wimbledon with her post-retirement appearance on Wednesday. Her new look caused a stir among long-time fans who remembered her glory days on the court but barely recognized the tennis icon.
The 37-year-old retired Russian star appeared in the Royal Box during the event to watch the matches on her 20th anniversary of winning the event. Sharapova shot to stardom in 2004 at just 17 years old. She defeated Lindsey Davenport to claim the title of women’s singles.
Her career soared from there, with wins including two French Open titles and one each at the Australian Open and US Open. She also added an Olympic silver medal to her accolades in London 2012.
Since hanging up her racket in 2020, Sharapova has embraced a new chapter in her life. The same year, she married British businessman Alexander Gilkes, and the couple has since enjoyed a life together, displayed by public affection on social media.
Beyond her personal life, Sharapova has seamlessly transitioned from tennis superstar to business mogul and brand ambassador. Her entrepreneurial spirit shines through her successful ventures, including her candy line, Sugarpova, and her involvement in tech ventures, including Tonal.
Sharapova remains connected to the sport that made her a household name, frequently offering expert commentary at major tennis events. Her appearances at these tournaments are a reminder of her enduring legacy and deep love for the game.
1 of 10Maria Sharapova attends a fashion show
After retiring from professional tennis in 2020, Maria Sharapova has been focusing on her business ventures with Clio Snacks, Supergood Sunscreen and serving on the board for Therabody while maintaining her personal life and a love for fashion - 2 of 10
Sharapova is pictured with her husband Alexander Gilkes
The tennis icon is engaged to British businessman, auctioneer, and co-founder of Squared Circles Alexander Gilkes, and the couple officially announced their engagement in December 2020 - 3 of 10
Maria Sharapova poses with treats from her candy line
Sharapova’s business ventures feature an extensive portfolio including, Sugarpova, a candy line from a $25,000 investment with 41.2k followers on Instagram that features chocolate bars, sour candies, and more - 4 of 10
Sharapova does a workout demonstration on her Tonal machine, where she is an investor
The five-time Grand Slam champion has also invested in several technology startups including her contribution to smart fitness app and hardware Tonal, allowing consumers to get a full workout at home - 5 of 10
TopSpin2K25 released in 2024 and featured Sharapova as a playable legend
The tennis icon was immortalized after retirement as a playable character in 2K’s video game TopSpin 2k25 as a legend alongside Andres Agassi, Pete Sampras, Serena Williams, and more - 6 of 10
Sharapova poses with students and often gives back to fund education
In retirement, the former No. 1 world player has been actively involved in philanthropy with her self-named foundation contributing a $210,000 scholarship program for children to - 7 of 10
The four-time Grand Slam winner sits during the Women’s Empowerment Council
Sharapova has been a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment and gender equality in sports focusing on making sure women get equal pay, and even headlining the Women’s Empowerment Council - 8 of 10
Maria Sharapova is featured in the Wimbledon 20th anniversary post for her win at 17 years old
Maria Sharapova continues to be relevant in tennis and makes frequent appearances as a guest commentator for major events, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon - 9 of 10
Maria Sharapova sits in the crowd to enjoy Wimbledon
After testing positive for banned substances that resulted in a 2-year ban, tennis fans continue to argue over Sharapova’s potential induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame where she will be eligible for selection in 2025 - 10 of 10
Maria Sharapova poses after being honored at a tennis event
On the 20th anniversary of her Wimbledon win, the tournament honored its legendary player with a trip down memory lane on Instagram, which was supported by many fans online
