Maria Sharapova – successful tennis player

Maria Sharapova is a Russian professional tennis player, Honored Master of Sports, five-time Grand Slam winner, Olympic silver medalist in London 2012.
Pretty girl was born on April 19, 1987 in Nyagan. The family of the future tennis player moved there from Gomel because of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster. Maria started playing tennis at the age of 4. Yevgeny Kafelnikov (great Russian tennis player) presented little Masha with her first tennis racket.
6-year-old Sharapova (in October 1993) had a chance to play with Martina Navratilova, when she gave tennis lessons in Moscow. Navratilova noticed talented girl and strongly advised her father to send Masha to Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, located in Florida. So in 1994, her family moved to Florida.
Sharapova’s career started in 2001. ITWA (International Tennis Writers Association) named Maria the best tennis player in 2004. Forbes magazine included her in the list of 100 most influential people in the world and she was the only Russian woman in it.

In 2005, Maria became Honored Master of Sports of Russia.
You know, in Florida the girl was noticed not only for her tennis talent, but also for her beauty. In the early 2000s, she began to take part in various photo sessions for magazines.
By the way, in 2006, she was the most beautiful athlete of the year according to Sports Illustrated.

In 2007, Sharapova became a goodwill ambassador of the United Nations and donated $ 100,000 to help the regions affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident. She helps children who were born near Chernobyl.
In 2011, Time magazine named Maria one of the best tennis players of the past, present and future, and a year later Tennis Channel included her in the list of the 100 best players of all time.
Grand Slam Tournaments: Australian Open – victory (2008), Roland Garros – victory (2012), Wimbledon – victory (2004), US Open – victory (2006).
On July 27, 2012 Maria became the first female-flag bearer of the Russian team. She was carrying the country’s flag at the opening ceremony in London. Sharapova always wanted to take part in the Olympics and win a medal.
On February 7, 2014 the athlete was an Olympic torch carrier at the Fischt stadium in Sochi. She was NBC reporter and TV commentator of the Olympic Games in Sochi.
Maria received the greatest fame not only as a tennis player, but also as a successful businesswoman.
Maria not only advertises clothing of many famous companies in the world, but also creates her own clothing lines. In 2011, Sharapova’s clothing line was released by Cole Haan.
Moreover, she created her own confectionery brand Sugarpova and the products are sold in dozens of countries.
On August 20, 2013 her collection of fashion accessories was presented in New York City.
One of the jewelry companies released earrings called Maria Sharapova.

Personal life
To tell the truth, Sharapova doesn’t like to speak about her personal life.
In summer 2005, news agencies wrote about her love affair with tennis player Andy Roddick. But she said they were just friends.
Also in 2005, she dated musician Adam Levine, soloist of the band Maroon 5.
In June 2007, the press reported on her break up with deputy of the State Duma of the RF Anton Belyakov.
Then, in October 2008, the media wrote about Maria’s love affair with Charlie Ebersol, NBC Sports president’s son.
In 2009, Sharapova met Slovenian basketball player Sasha Vujacic. And in October 2010, they announced their engagement and were going to get married on November 10, 2012. However, the wedding did not take place, shortly before that date, Maria and Sasha broke up.
On May 11, 2013, Sharapova confirmed that she was together with Bulgarian tennis player Grigor Dimitrov, who is four years younger. You know, Grigor is ex-boyfriend of Serena Williams.
Her official site: www.sharapova.ru

Maria Sharapova – successful tennis player