Russian Tennis Giant Maria Sharapova Bids Adieu to International Tennis

Moscow, February 27, 2020:

Russian tennis great Maria Sharapova on Wednesday bid adieu to the world of tennis after a storied career that saw her win 5 grand slam titles, and 36 titles overall.

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The 32-year-old Russian who arrived in America from Sochi with her father in 1994 as refugees from the poison of Chernobyl – with $700 and not a word of English between them – won five grand slam titles and was ranked the highest earner in women’s sport for 11 years in a row.

Sharapova burst on the scene as a 17-year-old when she defeated Serena Williams to win her first grandslam title at Wimbledon.

Although Sharapova played under the banner of Russia with the Women's Tennis Association, she has lived in and been a United States permanent resident since 1994.

Under the watchful eye of star coach Nick Bollettieri, Sharapova was developed as one of the biggest power-hitters that the women's game had ever seen.

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She was known for her strength off of both wings and her ability to hit winners from every part of the tennis court. Known for her prowess on clay, the 'scream queen', as she was called by fans for her penchant for grunting during points, won two French Open crowns (in 2012, 2014).

Meanwhile, fellow tennis great, the Serbian Novak Djokovic, has lauded Sharapova for her career that has been studded with accomplishments.

Right after his second-round match win in Dubai over Philipp Kohlschreiber, he called on the crowd in the stadium to give Sharapova a round of applause in honor of “everything she has done in her career.”

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