Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is a retired Russian professional tennis player. She was ranked world No. 1 in singles by the Women's Tennis Association on five separate occasions, for a total of 21 weeks. She is one of ten women, and the only Russian, to hold the career Grand Slam. She is also an Olympic medalist, having won silver in women's singles at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Her influence extended beyond her tennis prowess, as she became a global icon and one of the highest-earning female athletes.

Sharapova first began playing tennis at the age of four and quickly began showing early promise, moving to Florida to attend the prodigious Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy. She turned professional in 2001, and her rise to stardom was meteoric. Her breakthrough came in 2004 when, at just 17, she won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, defeating Serena Williams in the final. She became known for her powerful groundstrokes, relentless competitiveness, and exceptional work ethic. She ascended to the world No. 1 spot for the first time in 2005, becoming the first Russian female tennis player to top the singles rankings. Over her career, Sharapova captured 36 singles titles and five Grand Slam titles -- two at the French Open and one each at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open -— and won three doubles titles. In 2020, she retired from tennis at the age of 32.

Despite her successes, Sharapova's career faced significant setbacks, including a serious shoulder injury that required surgery and an enforced hiatus from the sport. However, her resilience was evident in her comebacks, consistently returning to the top echelons of the game. In 2016, Sharapova faced another major hurdle when she received a suspension for testing positive for a banned substance. Her return to the tour in 2017 was a testament to her determination and love for the game, although she struggled to regain her previous form consistently. In her autobiography, "Unstoppable: My Life So Far," Sharapova offers a candid look at her journey, highlighting both her triumphs and challenges.

Off the court, Sharapova has been a prominent figure in the modeling and business world, leveraging her brand and image into successful ventures. In 2005, Forbes declared Sharapova the highest paid female athlete in the world with combined earned income from prize money, sponsorship and product endorsements. In 2012, she launched her candy line, Sugarpova, which has grown into a significant business enterprise.