From Court-Side Flirts to Family First: Sharapova and Beckham’s Platonic Spark and Why She’s Still Saying “I Do… Later” to Gilkes

Maria Sharapova’s love life has always been a tabloid magnet, blending high-profile flings with enduring stability—though her rumored “chemistry” with David Beckham remains firmly in the friend zone. Back in the mid-2000s, amid Sharapova’s rise as a tennis sensation and Beckham’s global soccer stardom, whispers of mutual admiration swirled, fueled by shared endorsements and glamorous events. No confirmed romance ever materialized; instead, their paths crossed as colleagues in the spotlight, with Beckham often spotted courtside cheering on women’s tennis. Fast-forward to 2025, and their “reunions” are pure nostalgia: a cheeky Wimbledon selfie in June, toasting beers at a Stella Artois bash in September, and playful jabs over a “Perfect Serve” challenge. It’s the stuff of fan fiction, but Sharapova’s real heart belongs elsewhere.

Enter Alexander Gilkes, the British auctioneer-turned-entrepreneur who swept her off her feet in 2018. Their timeline? Sparks at a Los Angeles event, Instagram teases by October, and a dreamy Cotswolds proposal in December 2020 that had Sharapova declaring she’d said “yes” from day one. Engaged and glowing, they welcomed son Theodore (“Theo”) in July 2022, turning their focus to parenthood amid Gilkes’ launch of Squared Circles, his venture studio. As for the wedding? Plans for a lavish ceremony hit pause when pregnancy news arrived—classic curveball for the ex-athlete. “We’re not in a rush,” Sharapova laughed in a June 2024 chat, citing the whirlwind of toddler tantrums, business hustles, and sheer joy of building their “little family.” By August 2025, she doubled down: between Theo’s tree-climbing adventures and Gilkes’ empire-building, marriage can wait “a couple of years.”