Maria Sharapova Announces Retirement from Tennis
(February 26, 2020) Five-time major winner, 32-year-old Maria Sharapova announced her retirement on Wednesday with articles in both Vanity Fair
Vogue.
“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. After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, though, I’m ready to scale another mountain—to compete on a different type of terrain.”
“There are a few simple things I’m really looking forward to: A sense of stillness with my family. Lingering over a morning cup of coffee. Unexpected weekend getaways. Workouts of my choice (hello, dance class!),” she said.
“Tennis showed me the world—and it showed me what I was made of. It’s how I tested myself and how I measured my growth. And so in whatever I might choose for my next chapter, my next mountain, I’ll still be pushing. I’ll still be climbing. I’ll still be growing.”
Sharapova was just the sixth woman in the Open Era to win the career Grand Slam, winning all four majors, she won the French Open twice.
At the 2016 Australian Open, Sharapova tested positive for the newly banned drug meldonium. She appealed her two-year suspension and returned to the tour in 2017. Since her return, her best showing at a major was one quarterfinal.
The Russian’s last match came last month at the Australian Open where she lost in the first round to Donna Vekic in straight sets. She leaves the tour ranked 373rd in the world.
Tennis showed me the world—and it showed me what I was made of. It’s how I tested myself and how I measured my growth. And so in whatever I might choose for my next chapter, my next mountain, I’ll still be pushing. I’ll still be climbing. I’ll still be growing. pic.twitter.com/kkOiJmXuln
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) February 26, 2020
Maria Sharapova – key statistics and notable achievements from the WTA:
· Spent 21 weeks as WTA World No.1 – First ascended to top spot week of August 22, 2005. At 18 years 125 days, remains the fifth youngest woman to reach No.1 (after Hingis, Seles, Austin and Graf)
· Posted 10 Top 10 season finishes – 2004-08, 2011-15 (including nine Top 5 finishes)
· Winner of 36 singles titles from 59 finals – Third among active players for titles (behind S.Williams and V.Williams) and 15th on Open Era list; also won three doubles titles
· Won at least one singles title 13 years straight from 2003 until 2015, a streak only bettered by Graf, Navratilova and Evert
· Five-time Grand Slam champion from 10 major finals – 2004 Wimbledon (d. S.Williams in F), 2006 US Open, 2008 Australian Open (d. Ivanovic in F), 2012 Roland Garros (d. Errani in F to complete career Grand Slam), 2014 Roland Garros (d. Halep in F); victory at Wimbledon made her the second Russian woman to win a Grand Slam title, after Myskina at 2004 Roland Garros
· WTA Finals singles champion – Won event on debut at Los Angeles in 2004 (d. S.Williams in F); qualified for the season finale on nine occasions and was also a two-time runner-up (2007, 2012)
· Olympic silver medalist – London 2012 (l. S.Williams in F)
· Posted 98 wins over Top 10 opponents – Including seven wins over reigning No.1s. En route to winning the 2006 US Open title, defeated World No.1 Mauresmo in SF and World No.2 Henin in F
· Fed Cup highlights – Made debut for Russia in 2008 quarterfinal round with further nominations in 2011, 2012 and 2015 for a 7-1 singles record; went 2-0 vs. Czech Republic in 2015 final (tie won by Czechs, 3-2)
· Prize money of $38,777,962 – Third on all-time list (behind S.Williams and V.Williams)
· WTA Awards – Most Impressive Newcomer (2003), Most Improved Player (2004), Player of the Year (2004)
· Professional milestones – First pro event contested was ITF/Sarasota, FL-USA in 2001; made WTA main draw debut as a wild card at 2003 Indian Wells. Won final title at Tianjin Open in October 2017
