Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova is widely admired throughout the tennis world for her ability to perform at a consistently high level for almost two decades, during which she has won five Grand Slam titles and spent a total of 21 weeks as the world No. 1.
Having turned professional in 2001, Sharapova has entertained thousands of fans around the world with her tireless playing style. With strong serves and her ability to hit winning shots from a range of different shots, Sharapova’s career has earned her over $35 million in prize winnings.
Her first Grand Slam titles came in 2004 with a triumphant victory at Wimbledon before winning the US Open two years later, the Australian Open in 2008 and victories at the French Open in 2012 and 2014. She also added an Olympic Silver Medal to her trophy cabinet for her runner-up position at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Despite injuries, Sharapova has also been praised for her longevity in the women’s game, winning at least one title every year from 2003 to 2015, a streak only bested by tennis greats Graf, Navratilova and Evert. Altogether she has won 35 singles titles putting her only behind the Williams sisters Serena and Venus.
She was named by Time as one of the 30 Legends of Women’s Tennis and was also included in the Tennis Channel’s 100 Greatest of All Time list. Sharapova was also named the highest paid female athlete for 11 consecutive years having earned million in prize money and been the face of several lucrative endorsement deals.
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