Maria Sharapova, the former Wimbledon champion, has left fans astonished with her dramatic transformation since retiring from professional tennis in 2020. The 39-year-old, once known for her signature blonde locks, now sports a sophisticated brunette hairstyle that has been described as "unrecognisable" by admirers.
New Look Unveiled in Italy
Sharapova debuted her new appearance at the 60th anniversary celebration of Hotel Il Pellicano in Monte Argentario, Italy. She was photographed alongside her British fiancé, Alex Gilkes, drawing significant attention from the media and fans alike.
Grand Slam Legacy
During her career, Sharapova secured all four Grand Slam titles, beginning with her first Wimbledon victory in 2004 against Serena Williams. She went on to win the US Open in 2006, the Australian Open in 2008, and the French Open in 2012 and 2014, also reaching the final in 2013. Additionally, she earned an Olympic silver medal at the London 2012 Games, losing to Williams in the final.
Sharapova became the third-youngest woman to win Wimbledon and the first Russian to achieve a career Grand Slam. Off the court, she was named "the hottest athlete in the world" by Maxim for four consecutive years and was listed by Forbes among the top 100 most powerful celebrities globally from 2005 to 2011.
Controversy and Suspension
In 2016, Sharapova faced a 15-month suspension (originally two years) after testing positive for meldonium. She admitted the violation but insisted it was unintentional, stating she had been following her doctor's advice and was unaware the substance had been added to WADA's prohibited list.
Life After Tennis
Since retiring, Sharapova has embraced a luxurious lifestyle, enjoying holidays with Gilkes, who proposed in 2020. The couple welcomed their son, Theodore, in 2022, and Sharapova's Instagram bio now includes 'Mama'.
She has also built a successful business portfolio, including her candy brand Sugarpova and investments in sunscreen company Supergoop. Post-retirement, she has backed wellness brand Therabody, joined the board of luxury fashion house Moncler in 2022, and serves as a consultant for Naked Retail and Bright. She holds shares in UFC, Tonal, Public.com, Moonpay, and Clio Snacks.
