Maria Sharapova is leaving tennis. In an exclusive essay for Vanity Fair and Vogue, the tennis legend reflects on her career, looks to her future, and asks: How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known? https://t.co/q2UO5INjFI
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 26, 2020
“I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis -- I’m saying goodbye,” Sharapova wrote in the magazine.
Former World No. 1️⃣@AustralianOpen 🏆@rolandgarros 🏆🏆@Wimbledon 🏆@usopen🏆
— WTA (@WTA) February 26, 2020
3️⃣6️⃣ singles titles
We'll #MissYouMaria@MariaSharapova has announced her retirement from tennis -->https://t.co/BqE5pA9nGO pic.twitter.com/Z55MHC1t5q
Sharapova, who was born in Nyagan, Russia, won 36 singles titles during her career, won Wimbledon in 2004, the U.S. Open in 2006, the Australian Open in 2008 and the French Open in 2012 and 2014. She earned the WTA's No. 1 world ranking in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2012, ESPN reported. However, Sharapova's current ranking is at No. 373. She has played two matches this season and has lost of them, falling in the first round of the Australian Open to Croatia's Donna Vekic in straight sets.
🏆🏆 Our 2-time #RolandGarros champion "is saying goodbye".
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) February 26, 2020
All the best for your future @MariaSharapova 🙏 pic.twitter.com/9UXR4mTLIv
Sharapova, who turned pro as a 14-year-old in 2001, came to prominence three years later when she defeated top-ranked Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final, The New York Times reported.
Sharapova wrote in Vanity Fair that she was "a naive 17-year-old, still collecting stamps, and didn't understand the magnitude of my victory until I was older -- and I'm glad I didn't."
Although Sharapova was an intense performer on the court, her biggest impact came with the endorsement deals. According to Forbes, the 6-foot, 2-inch Sharapova was the highest-earning women's athlete for 11 consecutive years. She had endorsement deals with Nike and Evian and was earning nearly $30 million when she was suspended two years for using a banned substance, the Times reported.
An inspiration on and off the court. Congratulations on an incredible tennis career, @MariaSharapova!
— IMG Tennis (@IMGTennis) February 26, 2020
We can’t wait to see what’s next! pic.twitter.com/dPdOFT1YkB
Sharapova was penalized in 2016 for using meldonium, a drug for heart patients that is supposed to improve blood flow and help athletes recover faster, the Times reported. She claimed she had been taking the drug for 10 years and said she was unaware it had been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of banned substances, the newspaper reported.
Sharapova appealed the suspension, which was later reduced to 15 months, the Times reported.
Sharapova first picked up a tennis racket when she was 4. After 28 years, she is ready to put it away.
"In giving my life to tennis, tennis gave me a life. I'll miss it every day," Sharapova wrote in Vanity Fair. "Looking back now, I realize that tennis has been my mountain. My path has been filled with valleys and detours, but the views from its peak were incredible."
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