Maria Sharapova has ended her career. “Tennis gave me life.”
Maria Sharapova has ended her career. "Tennis gave me life."
Maria Sharapova has ended her sports career. “In giving my life to tennis, tennis gave me a life. I will miss it. I will miss training and the daily routine,” Maria Sharapova wrote.
In an article published on the Vogue and Vanity Fair websites, Maria Sharapova announced her retirement from professional sports. The Russian star noted that it was difficult for her to leave behind everything connected with tennis. “How do you forget and leave the courts where you’ve practiced since you were a little girl? How do you forget the game you love – a game that brought tears and indescribable joy – a sport where you found a family, gained fans who accompanied you for over 28 years?” she wrote.
“This almost mythical world was becoming more and more real.”
The tennis player also recalled a few stories from the past. “I’ll start at the beginning. The first time I remember seeing a tennis court, my dad was playing on it. I was four years old – I was so small that my legs dangled from the bench I was sitting on. So small that the racket lying next to me was twice my size,” Maria Sharapova wrote. “When I started playing, the players on the other side of the net were older, taller, and stronger. The fantastic tennis players I watched on TV seemed out of reach. But with each day of practice, this almost mythical world was becoming more and more real,” she wrote.
Maria Sharapova added that even “in her wildest dreams, she never thought she would be winning the most important tournaments.” She also emphasized that the courts “unveiled her true essence.” “They exposed my imperfections – every wrinkle, every drop of sweat. They tested my character, my will,” she wrote. The tennis player also admitted that she felt exposed on the courts, yet it was precisely in that place that she felt great comfort.
“Tennis gave me life.”
“By giving my life to tennis, tennis gave me life. I will miss it. I will miss training and the daily routine,” Maria Sharapova wrote. “I miss my team, my coaches,” she added. “Looking back, I realize that tennis was my mountain. My path was full of valleys and detours, but the views from the top were amazing. However, after 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, I am ready to climb another mountain – to compete on a different terrain,” we read. Maria Sharapova conveyed that no matter what she pursues in the future, she will strive for her own development.
