Maria Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion who was named the 'hottest athlete in the world' by Maxim for four consecutive years in the 2000s, has delighted fans with a series of swimsuit snaps from a recent holiday to the Dolomites in northern Italy. The 39-year-old former tennis star shared images and videos on Instagram, including one of her swimming in a private pool with breathtaking mountain views.
A Glamorous Life After Tennis
Sharapova, who retired from professional tennis in early 2020 at age 32 due to chronic shoulder issues, remains as glamorous as ever. She is dating English businessman Alexander Gilkes, and the couple's holiday photos captured the attention of her 4.7 million Instagram followers. Among the admirers was former rival Serena Williams, who quipped: "Where’s my invite?"
Fans expressed their joy at seeing Sharapova enjoying her post-tennis life. One wrote: "Lovely to see you Maria loved watching you play tennis. Enjoy your new life." Another said: "You are absolutely amazing Maria, I am old enough to have watched and been privileged ur whole career, I love seeing your posts with ur new chapter after tennis." A third commented: "Miss you on the tennis courts but looks like you are nice and relaxed. Enjoy yourself."
A Storied Career
Sharapova won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon in 2004 as a 17-year-old, defeating Serena Williams in the final. She went on to win three more Grand Slam titles, including the French Open twice. However, her career was not without controversy. In 2016, she tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open, a substance she had been taking since 2006 for health issues. "I did fail the test and take full responsibility for it," said Sharapova, who served a 15-month ban reduced from two years on appeal.
She returned to tennis in 2017 but struggled to recapture her former glory, retiring three years later. In an article for Vogue and Vanity Fair, she explained her decision: "Tennis - I'm saying goodbye. Looking back now, I realize that tennis has been my mountain. My path has been filled with valleys and detours, but the views from its peak were incredible. After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, though, I'm ready to scale another mountain - to compete on a different type of terrain."
Life Beyond the Court
Now 39, Sharapova continues to engage with fans through social media, sharing glimpses of her life with Gilkes. Her swimsuit photos from the Dolomites have been met with widespread admiration, with one fan simply writing: "Gorgeous."
