Is Maria Sharapova Still Playing Tennis?

Maria Sharapova is a Russian professional tennis player. She is a five-time Grand Slam champion, an Olympic medalist, and a former world No. 1.

Maria Sharapova’s retirement

Maria Sharapova, a former world No. 1 Russian tennis player, has announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 32. Sharapova made the announcement on her Instagram account, where she has over 6 million followers.

Reasons for retirement

Sharapova has cited a number of reasons for her retirement from tennis, including her age, the toll that the sport has taken on her body, and the challenge of competing against younger players.

In an interview with Vogue magazine, Sharapova said that she was inspired to retire after watching her close friend and fellow tennis player Serena Williams compete at the 2020 US Open. “I don’t think there’s anything else I could give to this sport,” she said. “It has been my life and my career for so long, but it’s time for something new.”

Sharapova also mentioned that she has been dealing with a number of injuries in recent years, including a shoulder injury that caused her to miss the 2019 season. “My body told me it was time [to retire],” she said. “I have been through a lot with my shoulder, and I want to be able to do other things and not just be in pain.”

While Sharapova’s retirement comes as a surprise to many, it is not entirely unexpected. In 2017, she told ESPN that she planned to retire by the time she was 30 years old. And in 2019, she said that she was not sure how much longer she would continue playing tennis.

Reaction to retirement

The tennis world was sent into shock on Wednesday when Maria Sharapova announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 32.

Sharapova, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, made the announcement in a lengthy Instagram post, in which she said: “Tennis – I’m saying goodbye.”

“I will miss it everyday,” she added. “I’ll miss the training and my daily routine: Waking up at dawn, lacing my shoes for practice, hitting thousands of balls, sweating through tough workouts, manage my schedule around tournaments and recovery.”

The Russian star also paid tribute to her fans, saying: “Your support has meant the world to me. I’ve been fortunate enough to have fans all around the world who have inspired me throughout my career.”

Sharapova’s retirement comes as a huge blow to women’s tennis, which has already lost one of its biggest stars in Serena Williams in recent years.

Sharapova was one of the most marketable athletes in the world and her retirement is likely to have a significant financial impact on the sport.

Maria Sharapova’s return

Maria Sharapova is a Russian professional tennis player. She is a former world No. 1 in singles and is currently ranked No. 2 by the WTA. She has won five Grand Slam singles titles, including two French Opens, a Wimbledon, and an Australian Open. Sharapova has also won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Reasons for return

Maria Sharapova is a professional tennis player who has been ranked world No. 1 in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association on five separate occasions. She is one of ten women, and the only Russian, to hold the career Grand Slam. She has also won 36 WTA singles titles, including five Grand Slam singles titles. Maria made her return to tennis in April after serving a 15-month ban for using a banned substance. Here are some of the reasons why Maria decided to return to tennis.

-To inspire other athletes: Maria has said that she wants to inspire other athletes who have faced similar challenges.
-To prove something to herself: Maria has said that she wants to prove to herself that she can still compete at the highest level.
-To show her determination: Maria has said that she wants to show her determination and resilience in the face of adversity.
-To be an example for her fans: Maria has said that she wants to be an example for her fans, especially young girls.

Reaction to return

Maria Sharapova’s return to tennis after her 15-month ban for taking a performance-enhancing drug has been met with mixed reactions. Some have welcomed her back and praised her for owning up to her mistake, while others have been critical of her and think she should have been banned for longer.