Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is a retired Russian tennis player who won five Grand Slam singles titles and spent time as world No.

1. She became one of the sport’s leading figures in the 2000s and 2010s before retiring in 2020.

What it is

Maria Sharapova is a former professional tennis player from Russia. She turned professional in 2001 and quickly rose to prominence by winning Wimbledon in 2004 at age 17. Over her career, she won five Grand Slam singles titles, including the US Open (2006), Australian Open (2008), and French Open (2012, 2014). She also reached world No. 1 in the WTA rankings and won 36 WTA singles titles.

Why it matters

Sharapova was a major figure in international women’s tennis and a frequent opponent of Canadian players on the WTA Tour, making her relevant to Canadian tennis coverage and fans. Her career Grand Slam and rivalry with top players helped elevate the sport’s global profile. Her doping suspension in 2016 also sparked discussions about anti-doping rules in tennis.

Key details

Sharapova was born in Nyagan, Russia, on April 19, 1987. She first gained attention by defeating Serena Williams to win Wimbledon in 2004. She spent 18 weeks at world No. 1. In 2016, she was suspended after testing positive for meldonium; her ban was later reduced on appeal. She announced her retirement in 2020 after a 19-year professional career.