Five-time major winner Sharapova retires
BERLIN Maria Sharapova, the Russian five-time Grand Slam champion who became one of the highest-paid sportswomen in the world, announced the end of her career on Wednesday at age 32.
Siberia-born Sharapova, whose Wimbledon victory over Serena Williams as a 17-year-old in 2004 propelled her to superstardom and riches, broke the news in an article for Vanity Fair.
“I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis — I’m saying goodbye,” Sharapova, whose rags to riches story captivated the sporting world but turned sour when she was banned for doping, wrote in a farewell article.
Her decision to quit is hardly a major surprise. She’s been a pale imitation of her former self since returning in 2017 from a 15-month ban for taking prohibited heart drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
The former world No. 1 played only two matches this year, losing in the first round of the Australian Open. Her ranking slid to 373.
“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,” she said.
“After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, though, I’m ready to scale another mountain, to compete on a different type of terrain.”
Sharapova, whose trademarks were her ferocious intensity and pounding groundstrokes, completed her career Grand Slam when she won the French Open in 2012. She also won at Roland Garros again in 2014, her last major title.
She became the first Russian woman to reach No. 1 in the rankings in 2005 and claimed the U.S. Open title in 2006. She also won the Australian Open in 2008.
“It’s a shame, of course, because Maria was a role model for everyone,” Shamil Tarpischev, president of Russia’s Tennis Federation, told RIA news agency. “Many girls compared themselves to her. She was No. 1 for the popularization of Russian tennis. Her image was huge.”
WTA Tour chairman Steve Simon added: “She will be greatly missed by her millions of fans around the world.”
Sharapova, who grew up in Sochi, was spotted playing at a tennis camp in Moscow by former great Martina Navratilova.
She moved with father Yuri to Florida with little money and no English, and went on to win 36 titles.
But injuries, especially her shoulder, blighted her career. Reuters