View source for Maria Sharapova

{{Short description|Russian former tennis player (born 1987)}}
{{Redirect|Sharapova|other uses|Sharapov (surname)}}
{{family name hatnote|Yuryevna|Sharapova|lang=Eastern Slavic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox tennis biography
| name                        = Maria Sharapova
| image                       = Maria Sharapova during opening night of Web Summit 2025 at the MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.jpg
| caption                     = Sharapova in 2025
| native_name_lang            = ru
| native_name                 = Мария Шарапова
| full_name                   = {{transliteration|ru|Mariya Yuryevna Sharapova}}
| country                     = {{flagu|Russia}}
| residence                   = Florida and California, USA
| birth_date                  = {{Birth date and age|1987|04|19|df=y}}
| birth_place                 = [[Nyagan]], Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
| height                      = {{height|cm=188}}<ref name="wtatennis">{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/players/310137/maria-sharapova|work=WTA Tennis}}</ref>
| coach                       =
| close friend                = Han and Dome 
| turnedpro                   = 19 April 2001<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| retired                     = 26 February 2020<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova retirement|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/tennis-world-reacts-to-maria-sharapovas-retirement-at-age-32/news-story/419212fbad96319d3dc694971d752229|work=news.com.au|date=26 February 2020|access-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>
| plays                       = Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
| careerprizemoney            = $38,777,962
* [[WTA Tour records#WTA career prize money leaders|7th all-time in earnings]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Career Prize Money Leaders|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/rankings/All_Career_Prize_Money.pdf|work=[[Women's Tennis Association]]|access-date=1 September 2015}}</ref>
| tennishofyear          = 2025 (''[https://www.tennisfame.com/maria-sharapova member page]'')

| singlesrecord               = {{tennis record|won=645|lost=171}} (79.0%)<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| singlestitles               = 36
| highestsinglesranking       = [[List of WTA number 1 ranked singles tennis players|No. '''1''']] (22 August 2005)<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| AustralianOpenresult        = '''W''' ([[2008 Australian Open – Women's singles|2008]])
| FrenchOpenresult            = '''W''' ([[2012 French Open – Women's singles|2012]], [[2014 French Open – Women's singles|2014]])
| Wimbledonresult             = '''W''' ([[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|2004]])
| USOpenresult                = '''W''' ([[2006 US Open – Women's singles|2006]])
| Othertournaments            = yes
| Olympicsresult              = F ([[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's singles|2012]])
| WTAChampionshipsresult      = '''W''' ([[2004 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2004]])
| doublesrecord               = 23–17 (57.5%)<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| doublestitles               = 3<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| highestdoublesranking       = No. 41 (14 June 2004)<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| AustralianOpenDoublesresult = 2R ([[2003 Australian Open – Women's doubles|2003]], [[2004 Australian Open – Women's doubles|2004]])
| USOpenDoublesresult         = 2R ([[2003 US Open – Women's doubles|2003]])
| Mixed                       = yes
| mixedrecord                 = 2–1 (66.7%)
| mixedtitles                 = 0
| USOpenMixedresult           = QF ([[2004 US Open – Mixed doubles|2004]])
| Team                        = yes
| FedCupresult                = '''W''' ([[2008 Fed Cup World Group|2008]])
| medaltemplates-expand       = yes
| medaltemplates              =
{{MedalCountry|{{flagu|Russia}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]]|[[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics|Singles]]}}
| module={{Infobox person
| embed                       = yes
| signature                   = Maria Sharapova signature.png
}}}}

'''Maria Yuryevna Sharapova''' ({{langx|ru|Мария Юрьевна Шарапова|{{transliteration|ru|Mariya Yuryevna Sharapova}}}}, {{IPA|ru|mɐˈrʲijə ʂɐˈrapəvə|pron|Maria_sharapova.ogg}}; born 19 April 1987) is a Russian former professional [[tennis]] player. She was ranked as the [[List of WTA number 1 ranked singles tennis players|world No. 1]] in women's singles by the [[Women's Tennis Association]] (WTA) for 21 weeks. Sharapova won 36 [[WTA Tour]]-level singles titles, including five [[Grand Slam (tennis)#Tournaments|major]] titles, as well as the [[2004 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2004 WTA Tour Championships]]. She is one of ten women to achieve the [[Grand Slam (tennis)#Career Grand Slam|career Grand Slam]] in singles.

A teen sensation, Sharapova broke through to the top of the sport by winning the [[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|2004 Wimbledon Championships]] as a 17-year-old, upsetting two-time defending champion [[Serena Williams]]. She then won the 2004 Tour Finals, and became the world No. 1 for the first time in August 2005 at the age of 18, the first Russian woman to top the singles rankings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/Notes&Netcords/2012/july16.pdf|title=Notes& Netcords|date=16 July 2012|publisher=WTA|access-date=19 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106223920/http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/Notes%26Netcords/2012/july16.pdf|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Maria-Sharapova-reclaims-world-number-one-ranking/tabid/415/articleID/257186/Default.aspx|title=Maria Sharapova reclaims world number one ranking|publisher=MediaWorks TV|work=3News|date=8 June 2012|access-date=4 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728161149/http://www.3news.co.nz/Maria-Sharapova-reclaims-world-number-one-ranking/tabid/415/articleID/257186/Default.aspx|archive-date=28 July 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Continued success over the following years, including titles at the [[2006 US Open – Women's singles|2006 US Open]] and [[2008 Australian Open – Women's singles|2008 Australian Open]], was accompanied by recurring injuries, and Sharapova dipped in and out of the top 10 around the turn of the decade. After a career-long struggle with success on [[clay courts]], Sharapova claimed the [[2012 French Open – Women's singles|2012 French Open]] to complete the career Grand Slam, returning to the No. 1 position, and shortly after won an Olympic silver medal in [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's singles|women's singles]] at the [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London Olympics]]. She won a second French Open title in [[2014 French Open – Women's singles|2014]] for her fifth major championship.

Sharapova failed a [[drug test]] at the [[2016 Australian Open]], testing positive for [[meldonium]], a substance that had been banned (effective 1 January 2016) by the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA). On 8 June 2016, she was suspended from playing tennis for two years by the [[International Tennis Federation]] (ITF).<ref>{{cite news|title= Maria Sharapova failed drugs test at Australian Open|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35750285 |publisher=BBC|date=8 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="ITF prov">{{cite web |url= http://www.itftennis.com/news/225826.aspx |title= Press release: Tennis Anti-Doping Programme statement regarding Maria Sharapova |publisher= International Tennis Federation |date= 7 March 2016 |access-date= 15 March 2016 |archive-date= 8 January 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190108212426/https://www.itftennis.com/news/225826.aspx |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Maria Sharapova banned for two years for failed drugs test but will appeal|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36482288|publisher=BBC|date= 8 June 2016}}</ref> On 4 October 2016, the suspension was reduced to 15 months, starting from the date of the failed test, as the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] found that she had committed "no significant fault" and that she had taken the substance "based on a doctor's recommendation... with good faith belief that it was appropriate and compliant with the relevant rules".<ref name="WTATennis.com">{{cite web |url= http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5949604/title/cas-reduce-sharapova-suspension-to-15-months |title=CAS Reduce Sharapova Suspension to 15 Months |publisher=WTATennis |access-date= 4 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite web |url= https://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/04/tennis/tennis-sharapova-cas-drugs/ |title=Maria Sharapova's drugs ban cut to 15 months on appeal|date=4 October 2016 |publisher=CCN|access-date= 4 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="WTATennis">{{cite web|url= http://www.wtatennis.com/content/inside-maria-sharapovas-cas-appeal-decision-reduce-ban-0 |title= Everything you need to know about Maria Sharapova's appeal, what the CAS found, and when the former No. 1 can return to the tour |publisher= Wtatennis |access-date=4 October 2016}}</ref> She returned to the WTA Tour in April 2017 at the [[2017 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Stuttgart Open]]. Sharapova retired from the sport in 2020.

Sharapova has been featured in a number of modeling assignments, including a feature in the ''[[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue]]''. She has appeared in many advertisements, including those for Nike, Prince, and Canon, and has been the face of several [[fashion house]]s, most notably [[Cole Haan]]. Since February 2007, she has been a [[UNDP Goodwill Ambassador|United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador]], concerned specifically with the [[Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme]]. In June 2011, she was named one of the "30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future" by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''<ref>{{cite news|title=30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future – Maria Sharapova|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2079150_2079148_2079118,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625125520/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2079150_2079148_2079118,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 June 2011|work=[[Time Magazine|Time]]|access-date=19 August 2011|author=William Lee Adams|date=22 June 2011}}</ref> and in March 2012 was named one of the "[[100 Greatest of All Time]]" by [[Tennis Channel]]. According to [[Forbes]], she was the highest-paid female athlete in the world for 11 consecutive years and earned {{USD}}285 million (including prize money) since she turned professional in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Badenhausen |first=Kurt |date=12 August 2015 |title=The World's Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2015 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2015/08/12/the-worlds-highest-paid-female-athletes-2015/#2782d7397b11 |access-date=12 August 2015 |website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2016/03/08/how-maria-sharapova-earned-285-mill-during-her-tennis-career/#1ddef49766fd|title=How Maria Sharapova Earned $285 Million During Her Tennis Career|work=Forbes|author=Kurt Badenhausen|access-date=8 March 2016}}</ref> In 2018, she launched a new program to mentor women entrepreneurs.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/daniellerossingh/2018/03/08/maria-sharapova-to-mentor-women-business-owners/#578584bd00de |title=Maria Sharapova To Mentor Women Business Owners|last= Rossingh|first= Danielle|work= Forbes|access-date= 11 March 2018}}</ref> In 2025, she was inducted into the [[International Tennis Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-22 |title=Sharapova, Bryan bros. to be inducted into HOF |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/46052235/maria-sharapova-bryan-brothers-inducted-tennis-hall-fame |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
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==Early life==
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova was born on 19 April 1987, in [[Nyagan]], Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. Her parents, Yuri Sharapov and Yelena, are from [[Gomel]], Byelorussian SSR. Concerned about the regional effects of the 1986 [[Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl nuclear accident]], they left their hometown shortly before Maria was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2309886/Sharapova-still-haunted-by-Chernobyl.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2309886/Sharapova-still-haunted-by-Chernobyl.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Sharapova still haunted by Chernobyl|publisher=The Telegraph|date=27 March 2007|access-date=26 February 2020|author=Mark Hodgkinson}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="ITH_2007_08_13">{{cite web|url=http://lenta.ru/lib/14164248/|publisher=[[Lenta.ru]]|script-title=ru:Шарапова, Мария|trans-title=Sharapova, Maria|language=ru|access-date=29 April 2013}}</ref>

===Introduction to tennis===
In 1990, when Sharapova was three, the family moved to [[Sochi]], Russia. Her father, Yuri, befriended Aleksandr Kafelnikov, whose son [[Yevgeny Kafelnikov|Yevgeny]] would go on to win two Grand Slam singles titles and become Russia's first world No. 1 ranked tennis player. Aleksandr gave Sharapova her first tennis racquet in 1991 when she was four, whereupon she began practicing regularly with her father at a local park.<ref name="times">{{cite news|author=Paul Kimmage|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article3177376.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080918015756/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article3177376.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 September 2008|title=The Big Interview: Maria Sharapova|work=[[The Times]]|date=13 January 2008|access-date=23 July 2008|location=London}}</ref> Maria took her first tennis lessons with veteran Russian coach Yuri Yutkin, who was instantly impressed when he saw her play, noting her "exceptional [[hand-eye coordination]]".<ref name="Article">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-11732071-masha-was-a-star-at-four.do |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707185603/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-11732071-masha-was-a-star-at-four.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2011 |author=Will Stewart |work=London Evening Standard |location=UK |title='Masha' was a star at four |date=2 July 2004 |access-date=12 June 2010 }}</ref>

===Start of professional training===
In 1993, at the age of six, Sharapova attended a tennis clinic in Moscow run by [[Martina Navratilova]], who recommended professional training with [[Nick Bollettieri]] at the [[IMG Academy]] in [[Bradenton, Florida|Bradenton]], Florida. Bollettieri had previously trained players such as [[Andre Agassi]], [[Monica Seles]], and [[Anna Kournikova]].<ref name="times"/> With money tight, Yuri Sharapov borrowed the sum that would enable him and his daughter, neither of whom could speak English, to travel to the United States, which they did in 1994.<ref name="Article" /> Visa restrictions prevented Sharapova's mother from joining them for two years.<ref name="ITH_2007_08_13"/> Arriving in Florida with savings of US$700,<ref name="Article" /> Sharapova's father took various low-paying jobs to fund her lessons until she was old enough to be admitted to the academy. Initially, she trained with Rick Macci. In 1995, however, she was signed by [[IMG (company)|IMG]], which agreed to pay the annual tuition fee of $35,000 for Sharapova to stay at the academy, allowing her to finally enroll at the age of 9.<ref name="times"/>

==Tennis career==
===Junior and early career===
Sharapova first hit tennis fame in November 2000, when she won the Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championships in the girls' 16 division at the age of just 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eddieherr.com/PastChampions.htm|publisher=Eddie Herr Official Website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725075033/http://www.eddieherr.com/PastChampions.htm|archive-date=25 July 2012|title=Eddie Herr Past Champions|access-date=12 June 2010}}</ref> She was then given a special distinction, the Rising Star Award, awarded to players of exceptional promise.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317171129/http://www.eddieherr.com/2009/PlayerPacket09.pdf|archive-date=17 March 2012|url=http://www.eddieherr.com/2009/PlayerPacket09.pdf|publisher=Eddie Herr Official Website|title=Eddie Herr International Special Awards|access-date=12 June 2010}}</ref> Sharapova made her professional debut in 2001 on her 14th birthday on 19 April, and played her first WTA tournament at the [[Pacific Life Open]] in 2002, winning a match before losing to [[Monica Seles]]. Due to restrictions on how many professional events she could play, Sharapova went to hone her game in junior tournaments, where she reached the finals of the girls' singles events at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2002. She was the youngest girl ever to reach the final of the Australian Open junior championship at 14 years and 9 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5567102/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-20-facts-you-didnt-know.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5567102/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-20-facts-you-didnt-know.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Wimbledon 2009: Maria Sharapova – 20 facts you didn't know|author=Nick Collins|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=24 June 2009|access-date=19 July 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Sharapova reached No. 6 in the [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] junior world singles ranking on 21 October 2002. In all, she won three junior singles tournaments and was runner-up at five, including two junior Grand Slam events. Her win–loss record in junior competition was 47–9.<ref>[http://www.itftennis.com/juniors/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=100013223 ITF Tennis Player Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616051543/http://www.itftennis.com/juniors/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=100013223 |date=16 June 2013 }}, ITF Juniors</ref> Her best results in the Junior Grand Slam tournaments were the finals of the [[2002 Australian Open]], finals of the [[2002 Wimbledon Championships]], third round of the [[2002 French Open]], and second round of the [[2001 US Open (tennis)|2001 US Open]].

===2003: First tournament titles===
From 2003, Sharapova played a full season and made a rapid climb into the top 50 by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Rankings_Stats/Singles_Numeric_2003.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928193303/http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Rankings_Stats/Singles_Numeric_2003.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 September 2017 |author=Liz Schroeder |publisher=WTA |title=WTA Tour Singles Ranking 2003 |date=10 November 2003 |access-date=12 June 2010 }}</ref> She made her debuts at both the [[2003 Australian Open|Australian Open]] and the [[2003 French Open|French Open]], but failed to win a match in either. Then, as a [[Wild card (sports)|wildcard]] at [[2003 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], she defeated 11th seed [[Jelena Dokić]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/wimbledon_2003/3028488.stm|title=Sharapova dismisses Dokic|publisher=BBC|date=28 June 2003|access-date=12 May 2013}}</ref> her first win over a top-20 player, to reach the fourth round, where she lost in three sets to [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]].
By the end of September, Sharapova had already captured her first WTA title at a smaller event, the [[Japan Open Tennis Championships]], before winning her second in her final tournament of the season, the [[Bell Challenge]] in Quebec City.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-11-02-quebec_x.htm|title=Sharapova handed Bell Challenge title|work=[[USA Today]] Co.|date=2 November 2003|access-date=12 May 2013}}</ref> To cap off her first full season as a professional, she was awarded the [[WTA Newcomer of the Year]] honor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |title=WTA Awards |access-date=18 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517115202/http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |archive-date=17 May 2013 }}</ref>

===2004: Wimbledon glory and rise to fame===
{{main|2004 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova was defeated in the third round of the [[2004 Australian Open|Australian Open]] by sixth seed [[Anastasia Myskina]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/australian_open/2004/01/24/bc.sport.tennis.open.myskina/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130616031055/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/australian_open/2004/01/24/bc.sport.tennis.open.myskina/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2013|access-date=29 May 2013|date=24 January 2004|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=Myskina downs Sharapova in Russian clash}}</ref> She later reached the semifinals at the [[2004 Kroger St. Jude International and the Cellular South Cup|Cellular South Cup]], where she lost to eventual champion [[Vera Zvonareva]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2004-02-20-roundup_x.htm|title=Federer upset in Rotterdam; Roddick falls at Kroger|date=20 February 2004|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=29 May 2013}}</ref>

During the spring clay-court season, Sharapova entered the top 20 on the WTA world rankings as a result of reaching the third round of the [[Qatar Telecom German Open]] and the [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia]], both of which were Tier I events. At the latter event, she defeated a player ranked in the top 10 for the first time with a straight-sets win over world No. 10 and [[2004 French Open – Women's singles|2004 French Open]] finalist [[Elena Dementieva]]. Later that clay-court season, she went on to make the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time at the [[2004 French Open|French Open]], losing there to [[Paola Suárez]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/01/1086058856148.html|title=Suarez strikes another blow for Argentina|work=The Age|date=2 June 2004|access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Maria Sharapova Wimbledon 2004 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004]]
Sharapova won the third title of her career at the [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] warm-up [[DFS Classic]], defeating [[Tatiana Golovin]] in the final. Seeded 13th and aged 17 at Wimbledon, she reached her first Grand Slam semifinal by defeating [[Ai Sugiyama]]. There, she defeated fifth seed and former champion [[Lindsay Davenport]]. In the final, Sharapova upset top seed and defending champion [[Serena Williams]] to win her first Grand Slam singles title, and become the third-youngest woman to win the Wimbledon title, behind only [[Lottie Dod]] and [[Martina Hingis]]. Sharapova also became the second Russian woman (after [[Anastasia Myskina]] had won the year's previous major at [[French Open|Roland Garros]]) to win a Grand Slam singles title. The victory was hailed by the media as "the most stunning upset in memory",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25495-2004Jul3.html|title=Sharapova Wins Wimbledon After Improbable Journey|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|author=Liz Clarke|date=7 April 2004|access-date=20 June 2010}}</ref> with other writers commenting on her arrival as a serious challenger to the [[Williams sisters|Williams']] dominance at Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-11722204-birth-of-a-superstar.do|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912142226/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-11722204-birth-of-a-superstar.do|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2012|title=Birth of a superstar|publisher=This Is London|author=Adrian Warner|date=7 February 2004|access-date=20 June 2010}}</ref> She entered the top 10 in the rankings for the first time as a result of the win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=1834581|title=Sharapova vaults into top 10|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=6 July 2004|access-date=19 May 2013}}</ref>

Following her Wimbledon win, attention and interest in Sharapova in the media greatly increased, a rise in popularity dubbed "Maria Mania."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2004/08/27/commentary/column_sportsbiz/sportsbiz/index.htm|title=Maria Mania: no stopping her now|work=CNN|author=Chris Isidore|date=30 August 2004|access-date=20 June 2010}}</ref> She won three of six matches in her preparations for the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. At the US Open itself, she reached the third round, before being eliminated by [[Mary Pierce]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3628366.stm|title=Pierce shocks Sharapova|publisher=BBC|date=4 September 2004|access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref> In order to regain confidence, Sharapova played and won consecutive titles in Asia in the fall, the [[Hansol Korea Open Tennis Championships]] and the [[Japan Open Tennis Championships]].

In October, Sharapova defeated Venus Williams en route to making the final of a Tier I event for the first time at the [[Zurich Open]], losing in the final to [[Alicia Molik]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/25/1098556329960.html?from=storylhs|title=Molik stuns Sharapova in Zurich final|work=The Age|date=25 October 2004|access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref> She then made her debut at the year-ending [[WTA Tour Championships]]. There, she won two of her three round-robin matches (including a win over US Open champion [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]]) in order to advance to the semifinals, where she defeated Myskina. In the final, she defeated an injured Serena Williams, after trailing 4–0 in the final set.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4015111.stm|title=Sharapova wins season's finale|publisher=BBC|date=16 November 2004|access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref>

===2005: World No. 1===
{{main|2005 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
[[File:Sharapova tennis service 0826 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova at the 2005 Australian Open]]
Sharapova started the year at the [[2005 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she defeated fifth seed [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] to reach the second Grand Slam semifinal of her career. Sharapova held three match points in the third set of her semifinal match, before losing to eventual champion Serena Williams. In February, Sharapova won back-to-back tournaments, the [[Toray Pan Pacific Open]] and the [[Qatar Total Open]], allowing her to reach number 3 in the world rankings for the first time.

In the semifinals of the Tier I [[Pacific Life Open]], Sharapova was defeated by [[Lindsay Davenport]], the first time she had failed to win a game in a match.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4363185.stm|title=Sharapova humiliated by Davenport|publisher=BBC|date=18 March 2005|access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> She defeated former world No. 1 players [[Justine Henin]] and Venus Williams to reach the final at the Tier I [[NASDAQ-100 Open]], where she lost to [[Kim Clijsters]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/01/sports/tennis/01tennis.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fS%2fSharapova%2c%20Maria&_r=0|title=Sharapova Rights Her Game vs. Venus Williams|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Sandra Harwitt|date=1 April 2005|access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21225-2005Apr2.html|title=Clijsters's Dream Continues|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|author=Amy Shipley|date=3 April 2005|access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref>

Sharapova made the semifinals of a clay-court tournament for the first time at the [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]], where she lost to [[Patty Schnyder]]. Sharapova would have become world No. 1 for the first time had she won the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4544729.stm|title=Sharapova edges nearer to summit|publisher=BBC|date=13 May 2005|access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> Sharapova then reached the quarterfinals of the [[2005 French Open|French Open]] for the second consecutive year, before losing to eventual champion Henin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/01/tennis.frenchopen2005|title=Henin reduces Sharapova to dust|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Stephen Bierley|date=1 June 2005|access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref> On grass, Sharapova won her third title of the year when she successfully defended her title at the [[DFS Classic]], defeating [[Jelena Janković]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4085880.stm|title=Sharapova keeps Birmingham title|publisher=BBC|date=12 June 2005|access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref> As the defending champion at [[2005 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Sharapova reached the semifinals without dropping a set and losing a service game just once, extending her winning streak on grass to 24 matches. However, she was then beaten by eventual champion [[Venus Williams]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4639341.stm|title=Williams ends Sharapova's defence|publisher=BBC|date=30 June 2005|access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref>

Sharapova had far fewer points to defend, and so she became the first Asian and Russian woman to hold the world No. 1 ranking on 22 August 2005.<ref name="wtacareer">{{cite web|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/qa-sharapovas-first-business-aims-for-the-sweet-spot/479274.html|title=Q&A: Sharapova's First Business Aims for the Sweet Spot|work=[[The Moscow Times]]|date=26 April 2013|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://clutchpoints.com/maria-sharapovas-net-worth-in-2022 | title=Maria Sharapova's Net Worth in 2022 | date=July 2022 | access-date=23 February 2024}}</ref> Her reign lasted only one week, however, as Davenport reclaimed the top ranking after winning the [[Pilot Pen Tennis]] tournament.<ref name="wtacareer"/>

As the top seed at the [[2005 US Open – Women's singles|US Open]], Sharapova lost in the semifinals to [[Kim Clijsters]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4228310.stm|title=Clijsters battles past Sharapova|publisher=BBC|date=9 September 2005|access-date=8 June 2013}}</ref> meaning she had lost to the eventual champion in every Grand Slam of the season. However, she once again leapfrogged Davenport to take the world No. 1 ranking on 12 September 2005. She retained it for six weeks, but after playing few tournaments while injured, she again relinquished the ranking to Davenport.<ref name="wtacareer"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/17404-davenport-regains-no-1-ranking|title=Davenport regains No. 1 ranking|publisher=NDTV|date=27 August 2005|access-date=8 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610183939/http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/17404-davenport-regains-no-1-ranking|archive-date=10 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2006: US Open champion===
{{main|2006 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
[[File:MariaSharapova (cropped).JPG|thumb|left|upright|Sharapova celebrating after winning the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|2006 US Open]]]]
Sharapova started 2006 by losing in the semifinals of the [[2006 Australian Open|Australian Open]] in three sets to Henin,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/usopen06/news/story?id=2579411|title=Sharapova, Henin-Hardenne advance to Open final|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=8 September 2006|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> also losing a rematch several weeks later at the [[Dubai Tennis Championships]], having defeated former world No. 1 [[Martina Hingis]] and world No. 3 [[Lindsay Davenport]] in earlier rounds of the tournament. Sharapova claimed her first title in nine months at the Tier I tournament in Indian Wells, defeating Hingis in the semifinals and [[Elena Dementieva]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4818828.stm|title=Sharapova into all-Russian final|publisher=BBC|date=18 March 2006|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/03/19/sharapova-wins-pacific-life-federer-in-final/|title=Sharapova wins Pacific Life|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=19 March 2006|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> She reached the final in [[2006 NASDAQ-100 Open – Women's singles|Miami]] before losing to Kuznetsova.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/apr/02/tennis.richardevans|title=Kuznetsova quiets Sharapova scream on the way to title|work=The Guardian|date=2 April 2006|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref>

Sharapova returned for the [[2006 French Open – Women's singles|French Open]]. There, after saving match points in defeating [[Mashona Washington]] in the first round, she was eliminated by [[Dinara Safina]] in the fourth round.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/sports/tennis/04french-wire.html?_r=0|title= Sharapova Falls at French Open |work=[[The New York Times]]|date=4 June 2006|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> On grass, Sharapova was unsuccessful in her attempt to win in Birmingham for the third consecutive year, losing in the semifinals to [[Jamea Jackson]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/5091134.stm|title= Sharapova suffers surprise defeat |publisher=BBC|date=17 June 2006|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> Despite that, she was among the title favorites at [[2006 Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], where the eventual champion Mauresmo ended up beating her in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200607/s1680842.htm|title=Mauresmo survives lapse to reach Wimbledon final|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]|date=7 July 2006|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref>

Sharapova claimed her second title of the year at the Tier I [[Acura Classic]], defeating Clijsters for the first time in the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2006-08-06-acura-classic_x.htm|title=Sharapova outlasts Clijsters in Acura final|date=6 August 2006|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> As the third seed at the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Sharapova defeated top seed Mauresmo for the first time in the semifinals,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/open/2006-09-08-day-12_x.htm?POESPOISVA|title=Sharapova stops No. 1 Mauresmo, will meet Henin-Hardenne in U.S. Open final|date=8 September 2006|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> and then followed up by beating second seed Justine Henin to win her second Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/usopen06/news/story?id=2581102|title=Sharapova drops Henin-Hardenne to win U.S. Open title|date=12 September 2006|work=ESPN|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref>

That autumn, Sharapova won titles in back-to-back weeks at the [[Zurich Open]] and the [[Generali Ladies Linz]]. By winning all three of her round-robin matches at the [[2006 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|WTA Tour Championships]], she extended her win streak to 19 matches, before it was snapped in the semifinals by eventual champion Henin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-11-26/sports/0611250235_1_maria-sharapova-justine-henin-hardenne-wta-championships|title=Henin-Hardenne came up aces|publisher=[[Sun Sentinel]]|date=26 November 2006|access-date=9 June 2013|archive-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606204706/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-11-26/sports/0611250235_1_maria-sharapova-justine-henin-hardenne-wta-championships|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sharapova would have finished the season as world No. 1 had she won the event. As it was, she finished ranked world No. 2, her best year-end finish yet.

===2007: Return to No. 1, shoulder injury and fall from the Top 5===
[[File:Maria Sharapova at the 2007 US Open (Cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova at the 2007 US Open]]
Sharapova was the top seed at the [[2007 Australian Open – Women's singles|Australian Open]] due to top-ranked Justine Henin's withdrawal. After being two points away from defeat in the first round against [[Camille Pin]], she went on to reach the final of the tournament for the first time, but was routed there by Serena Williams who was ranked world No. 81 at the time. After reaching the final, Sharapova recaptured the world No. 1 ranking.<ref name="wtacareer"/> She held it for seven weeks, surrendering it back to Henin after failing to defend her title at the [[Pacific Life Open]], instead losing in the fourth round to [[Vera Zvonareva]] after struggling with a hamstring injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6326809.stm|title=Leg injury forces Sharapova out|publisher=BBC|date=3 February 2007|access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> The following fortnight, she defeated Venus Williams in the third round of the [[Sony Ericsson Open]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tennis-miami-idUSL2308180420070325|title=Sharapova sets up Venus showdown in rainy Miami|work=Reuters|date=27 March 2007|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> before being beaten again by Serena Williams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voices.yahoo.com/serena-williams-defeats-maria-sharapova-today-key-270447.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729030341/http://voices.yahoo.com/serena-williams-defeats-maria-sharapova-today-key-270447.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 July 2014|title=Serena Williams Defeats Maria Sharapova Today in Key Biscayne|publisher=[[Yahoo]]|author=Verdell A. Wright|date=27 March 2007|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref>

A shoulder injury forced Sharapova to miss most of the clay-court season for the second consecutive year, resulting in her only tune-up for the [[2007 French Open|French Open]] being the [[İstanbul Cup]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6689561.stm|title=Sharapova battles to Istanbul win|publisher=BBC|date=24 May 2007|access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> where she lost in the semifinals to [[Aravane Rezaï]]. She reached the semifinals of the French Open for the first time in her career, before losing to [[Ana Ivanovic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jun/07/tennis.frenchopen2007|title=Ivanovic stuns Sharapova to set up Henin showdown|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=7 June 2007|access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> On grass, Sharapova was runner-up to [[Jelena Janković]] at the [[DFS Classic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6762093.stm|title=Jankovic seals win over Sharapova|publisher=BBC|date=17 June 2007|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> Following that, she experienced her earliest Wimbledon loss since 2003 by losing in the fourth round to eventual champion Venus Williams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/04/tennis.wimbledon1|title=Henin sends Serena crashing out|work=The Guardian|date=4 July 2007|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref>

Sharapova clinched the [[US Open Series]] by defending her title at the [[Acura Classic]], her only championship of the year, and reaching the semifinals in Los Angeles.<ref name="wtacareer"/> In her [[2007 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] title defense, Sharapova was upset in her third-round match by 30th seed [[Agnieszka Radwańska]],<ref name="radwanska">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6974187.stm|title=Sharapova loses to teen Radwanska|publisher=BBC|date=1 September 2007|access-date=23 July 2008}}</ref> making it her earliest exit at a Grand Slam singles tournament since the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|2004 US Open]], where she lost in the same round.<ref name="wtacareer"/>

Following the US Open loss, Sharapova did not play again until the [[Kremlin Cup]] in October, where she lost her opening match to [[Victoria Azarenka]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7038379.stm|title=Sharapova crashes out in Moscow|publisher=BBC|date=10 October 2007|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> Shortly after this, she fell out of the top 5 in the world rankings for the first time since 2004. She qualified for the eight-woman year-end [[2007 WTA Tour Championships|Sony Ericsson Championships]] because of a withdrawal by Venus Williams before the start of the tournament.<ref name="wtacareer"/> Despite having not previously won a match in two months, Sharapova topped her round-robin group at the tournament, after winning all three of her matches, defeating [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]], Ana Ivanovic, and [[Daniela Hantuchová]]. She then defeated [[Anna Chakvetadze]] in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/nov/11/tennis.news|title=Sharapova straight in|author=Richard Evans |website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=11 November 2007|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> In the final, she lost to world No. 1 Henin in a match that lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes. Sharapova reached the top 5 again to end the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3149968|title=Strong finish for Sharapova; stronger return by Davenport|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Joel Drucker|date=13 December 2007|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref>

===2008: Australian Open champion, No. 1 and second shoulder injury===
{{main|2008 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
[[File:Maria Sharapova 2008 B&L Championship trophy (cropped).jpg|thumb|Sharapova with her [[2008 Bausch & Lomb Championships|Bausch & Lomb Championship]] trophy in April 2008]]
Sharapova was seeded fifth at the [[2008 Australian Open|Australian Open]], but was not considered a favorite. Nevertheless, she defeated former world No. 1 [[Lindsay Davenport]] in the second round, and then world No. 1 Henin in the quarterfinals,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7201953.stm|title=Brilliant Sharapova hammers Henin|publisher=BBC|date=22 January 2008|access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> ending the latter's 32-match winning streak.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clarey|first=Christopher|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/sports/tennis/24tennis.html?fta=y|title=Sharapova Reaches the Final Again and Hopes for a Better Outcome|work=The New York Times |date=24 January 2008|access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> She proceeded to the finals by defeating [[Jelena Janković]] in the semifinals, and defeated [[Ana Ivanovic]] in the final to win her third Grand Slam title, having not dropped a set all tournament.

After the Australian Open, Sharapova extended her winning streak to 18 matches. This run encompassed two wins including at the Tier I [[2008 Qatar Total Open|Qatar Open]]. Her winning streak was ended in the semifinals of the [[2008 Pacific Life Open|Pacific Life Open]] by Kuznetsova. In April, Sharapova won the [[2008 Bausch & Lomb Championships|Bausch & Lomb Championships]], having survived her longest-ever match, at 3 hours and 26 minutes long, in the third round against [[Anabel Medina Garrigues]].<ref name="epicbattle">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7341970.stm|title=Sharapova wins epic battle|publisher=BBC|date=11 April 2008|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> The following week, at the [[2008 Family Circle Cup|Family Circle Cup]], she lost in the quarterfinals to [[Serena Williams]], her fourth consecutive loss to the American.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2004359654_digs19.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908041540/http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2004359654_digs19.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 September 2014|title=Tennis: Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova 4th time in a row|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=19 April 2008|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref>

In May, Sharapova regained the world No. 1 ranking because of Henin's sudden retirement from professional tennis and request to the [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] that her own ranking be removed immediately.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=tennis&id=3397722|title=Sharapova to take over top ranking from retired Henin|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=15 May 2008|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> As the top-seeded player at the [[2008 French Open – Women's singles|French Open]], Sharapova was within two points<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/french08/news/story?id=3415126|title=Sharapova needs 8–6 win in third set to overcome Rodina|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=28 May 2008|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> of being knocked out by [[Evgeniya Rodina]] in the first round, before eventually winning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/8184486/Sharapova-a-long-way-from-Grand-Slam-form|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215040319/http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/8184486/Sharapova-a-long-way-from-Grand-Slam-form|archive-date=15 February 2009|title=Sharapova a long way from Grand Slam form|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|date=28 May 2008|access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> As a result of losing to eventual finalist Dinara Safina in the fourth round (after serving for the match),<ref>{{cite news|last=Clarey|first=Christopher|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/sports/tennis/03tennis.html|title=Sharapova Roars, but She Is Silenced by Safina Once Again|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=3 June 2008|access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> she relinquished her No. 1 ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3424588|title=Sharapova to drop from top spot after French Open|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=3 June 2008|access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref> Her dip in form continued at [[Wimbledon 2008|Wimbledon]], where she lost in the second round to world No. 154 [[Alla Kudryavtseva]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agence France-Presse |author-link=Agence France-Presse |date=July 5, 2008 |title=Humiliation will fuel my fire: Sharapova {{!}} Tennis News |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/humiliation-will-fuel-my-fire-sharapova-1604952 |website=[[NDTV Sports]] |language=en}}</ref> This was her earliest loss at Wimbledon, and at any Grand Slam in almost five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon08/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&id=3462202|title=Sharapova loss just the start of a chaotic day at Wimbledon|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=27 June 2008|access-date=7 August 2011}}</ref>

Sharapova withdrew from the [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Rogers Cup]] tournament in August following a shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/sharapova-withdraws-from-rogers-cup-1.710767|title=Sharapova withdraws from Rogers Cup|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]|date=31 July 2008|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> An [[magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]] scan revealed that she had been suffering from a [[rotator cuff tear]] since April, forcing her out of all tournaments for the rest of the season, including the [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Beijing Olympics]], the [[2008 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], and the [[2008 WTA Tour Championships|WTA Tour Championships]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/tennis/7536416.stm|title=Sharapova to miss US Open & Games|publisher=BBC|date=1 August 2008|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> In spite of that, she still finished the year ranked world No. 9. In October, after a failed attempt to rehabilitate the shoulder, Sharapova had surgery to repair the tear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2011-06-30-Brennan-maria-sharapova-wimbledon-final_n.htm|title=Sharapova back at last where she belongs|work=[[USA Today]]|author=Christine Brennan|date=30 June 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref>

===2009–2010: Shoulder surgery, rehabilitation, comeback and struggles with form===
{{main|2009 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova did not attempt to defend her [[2009 Australian Open|Australian Open]] title, as she continued to recover from surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/tennis/sharapova-out/2009/01/11/1231608525444.html|title=Sharapova out after shoulder fails to recover|work=The Age|author=Linda Pearce|date=12 January 2009|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> She returned to the sport in March, in the doubles tournament at the [[2009 BNP Paribas Open – Women's doubles|Indian Wells Open]], but she and partner [[Elena Vesnina]] lost in the first round. After this, Sharapova withdrew from further singles tournaments, resulting in her standing in the world rankings being severely affected. She dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in six years in May, the nadir being world No. 126.<ref name="wtatennis" />

[[File:Maria Sharapova at 2009 Roland Garros, Paris, France.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|Sharapova made the quarterfinals of the [[2009 French Open|French Open]], her best Grand Slam performance of 2009.]]
Playing her first singles tournament in nearly ten months, Sharapova made the quarterfinals of the clay-court [[2009 Warsaw Open – Singles|Warsaw Open]] in May, losing to finalist [[Alona Bondarenko]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4192265|title=Bondarenko wins in straight sets|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=21 May 2009|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> The following week, in her first Grand Slam appearance since her surgery, she reached the quarterfinals of the [[2009 French Open – Women's singles|French Open]], before her run was ended by [[Dominika Cibulková]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/5430320/French-Open-2009-Maria-Sharapova-and-the-curse-of-the-cover-stars.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/5430320/French-Open-2009-Maria-Sharapova-and-the-curse-of-the-cover-stars.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=French Open 2009: Maria Sharapova and the curse of the cover stars |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|author=Mark Hodgkinson|date=2 June 2009|access-date=9 June 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

During the summer grass-court season, Sharapova played in [[2009 Aegon Classic – Singles|Birmingham]], losing in the semifinals to Li Na.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4256242|title=Sharapova broken six times in loss|date=13 June 2009|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> Sharapova then played at [[2009 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] as the 24th seed. She was upset in the second round by [[Gisela Dulko]] in three sets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5624035/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-suffers-shock-defeat-by-Gisela-Dulko.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5624035/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-suffers-shock-defeat-by-Gisela-Dulko.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Wimbledon 2009: Maria Sharapova suffers shock defeat by Gisela Dulko|last=Hodgkinson|first=Mark|date=24 June 2009|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=18 May 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Sharapova enjoyed considerable success in the summer months, reaching the quarterfinals at the [[2009 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]], the semifinals at the [[2009 LA Women's Tennis Championships|LA Women's Championships]], and finishing runner-up at the [[2009 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]] to [[Elena Dementieva]]. At the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Sharapova was seeded 29th. She found her way into the third round, defeating [[Tsvetana Pironkova]] and [[Christina McHale]], all in straight sets. She was stunned in the third round by American teenager [[Melanie Oudin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4448907|title=Oudin's run continues; Safina exits early|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=6 September 2009|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> It was the second time in Sharapova's career that she lost to a teenager at a [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam tournament]], having lost to [[Agnieszka Radwańska]] during the same event in 2007. The loss made Sharapova's ranking go down to No. 32.<ref name="wtatennis" />

The final stretch of the season brought Sharapova her first title of the year in [[2009 Toray Pan Pacific Open|Tokyo]], after opponent [[Jelena Janković]] retired after being down 2–5 to Sharapova in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/10/03/tennis.sharapova.jankovic.venus/|title= Sharapova lands Tokyo title as Jankovic quits |work=CNN|date=3 October 2009|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> By virtue of that result, she was the recipient of a bye at the [[2009 China Open (tennis)|China Open]], but failed to capitalize on it, losing to [[Peng Shuai]] in the third round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/oct/07/maria-sharapova-china-open-shuai|title=Tired Maria Sharapova knocked out of China Open by Peng Shuai|work=The Guardian|date=7 October 2009|access-date=9 June 2013}}</ref> She ultimately finished the season at world No. 14, having improved from No. 126 when she started her comeback from injury.<ref name="wtatennis" />

{{main|2010 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
[[File:Maria Sharapova practicing at Bank of the West Classic 2010-07-25 3.JPG|thumb|right|Sharapova during a pre-match practice at the 2010 Bank of the West Classic]]
After playing two exhibition tournaments in Asia, Sharapova officially began her season at the [[2010 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she was upset in her first-round match against [[Maria Kirilenko]]. The loss meant that for the first time since 2003, Sharapova had lost her opening match at a Grand Slam event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/australianopen/7016124/Australian-Open-2010-Maria-Sharapova-dumped-out-by-Maria-Kirilenko.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/australianopen/7016124/Australian-Open-2010-Maria-Sharapova-dumped-out-by-Maria-Kirilenko.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|author=Mark Hodgkinson|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|title=Australian Open 2010: Maria Sharapova dumped out by Maria Kirilenko|date=18 January 2010|access-date=12 June 2010|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She then rebounded by winning a smaller American event, the [[2010 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup|Cellular South Cup]], her 21st career WTA title and first of the year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8526723.stm|title=Maria Sharapova beats Sofia Arvidsson in Memphis final|date=21 January 2010|work=BBC Sport |access-date=22 February 2010}}</ref>

At the [[2010 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells Open]], Sharapova lost in the third round to [[Zheng Jie]], aggravating a bruised bone on her right elbow in the process, which resulted in her eventual withdrawal from the [[2010 Sony Ericsson Open|Sony Ericsson Open]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/tennis/03/18/tennis.sharapova.injury.elbow/index.html|work=CNN|title=Sharapova suffers fresh setback after elbow injury|date=18 March 2010|access-date=12 June 2010}}</ref> and the [[2010 Family Circle Cup|Family Circle Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usta.com/Global/Pro_Tennis/Pro_Tennis/Wire/2010/04/09/Serena_Williams_Sharapova_withdraw_from_Family_Circle_Cup.aspx |publisher=United States Tennis Association |title=Serena Williams, Sharapova withdraw from Family Circle Cup |date=9 April 2010 |access-date=12 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413075534/http://www.usta.com/Global/Pro_Tennis/Pro_Tennis/Wire/2010/04/09/Serena_Williams_Sharapova_withdraw_from_Family_Circle_Cup.aspx |archive-date=13 April 2010 }}</ref>

Returning at the [[2010 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open|Madrid Open]], Sharapova lost in the first round to [[Lucie Šafářová]]. She continued her French Open preparation at the [[2010 Internationaux de Strasbourg|Internationaux de Strasbourg]] as a wildcard, advancing to the final, where she beat [[Kristina Barrois]]. This was her first title on red clay and 22nd overall title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/tennis/2010/05/24/257792/Sharapova-wins.htm|work=The China Post|location=Taiwan (ROC)|title=Sharapova wins second 2010 title at Strasbourg|date=24 May 2010|access-date=12 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925202148/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/tennis/2010/05/24/257792/Sharapova-wins.htm|archive-date=25 September 2012}}</ref> At the [[2010 French Open|French Open]], Sharapova's brief clay season culminated with a third-round loss to four-time champion Justine Henin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/7785938/French-Open-2010-Justine-Henin-defeats-Maria-Sharapova.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/7785938/French-Open-2010-Justine-Henin-defeats-Maria-Sharapova.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=French Open 2010: Justine Henin defeats Maria Sharapova|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=30 May 2010|access-date=14 June 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Sharapova began her preparations for Wimbledon at the [[2010 Aegon Classic|Aegon Classic]]. She advanced to the final for the fourth time, where she lost to [[Li Na]]. As the 16th seed at [[2010 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Sharapova lost in the fourth round to world No. 1 and eventual champion Serena Williams, despite having three set points in the opening set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/tennis/tournaments/story/0,25174,18898_6236218,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701033332/http://www.skysports.com/tennis/tournaments/story/0%2C25174%2C18898_6236218%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 July 2010 |title=Sharapova tests Serena |publisher=Sky Sports |date=29 June 2010 |access-date=3 July 2010 }}</ref> The match was seen as another encouraging performance for Sharapova, with some stating their belief that she was approaching the form that would see her contending for Grand Slams once more,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/serena-forced-into-top-gear-to-tame-sharapova-2013078.html|title=Serena forced into top gear to tame Sharapova|author=Chris McGrath|work=The Independent |location=UK|date=29 June 2010|access-date=3 July 2010 }}</ref> and Sharapova herself stating that she felt that she was "in a much better spot than I was last year."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/serena-williams-avoids-flashback-beats-sharapova/|title=Serena Williams Avoids Flashback, Beats Sharapova|author=John Martin|work=The New York Times|date=28 June 2010|access-date=3 July 2010}}</ref>

During the [[US Open Series]], Sharapova made two straight finals, losing to [[Victoria Azarenka]] at the [[2010 Bank of the West Classic – Singles|Bank of the West Classic]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2010-08-01-bank-of-the-west-classic_N.htm|title=Azarenka rolls past Sharapova to win Bank of the West title|work=[[USA Today]]|date=8 February 2010|access-date=14 June 2013}}</ref> and to [[Kim Clijsters]] at the [[2010 Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open – Singles|Western & Southern Open]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cincytennis.com/clijsters_wins/|title=Clijsters Storms Back to Win 2010 Women's Open|publisher=WTA|access-date=14 June 2013|archive-date=24 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224182310/http://www.cincytennis.com/clijsters_wins/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the latter match, Sharapova held three match points while leading 5–3 on Clijsters's serve late in the second set, but could not convert them. At the [[2010 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Sharapova was the 14th seed. She made it to the fourth round, where she played top seed and 2009 finalist [[Caroline Wozniacki]] and lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/usopen10/news/story?id=5539423|title=Maria Sharapova loses in 4th round|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=7 September 2010|access-date=14 June 2013}}</ref>

Sharapova's last two tournaments of the season ended in disappointment. She played in the [[2010 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Singles|Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo, where she was upset in the first round by 39-year-old [[Kimiko Date-Krumm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2010-09-27-pan-pacific-open_N.htm|title=Japan's Date Krumm ousts Sharapova at Pan Pacific Open|work=USA Today|date=29 September 2010|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> Her last tournament of the year was the [[2010 China Open – Women's singles|China Open]], where she lost in the second round to fellow Russian [[Elena Vesnina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/oct/07/maria-sharapova-china-open-shuai|title=Tired Maria Sharapova knocked out of China Open by Peng Shuai|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=7 October 2010|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> She ended the year at number 18 in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/photos/article/2213795/title/2010-year-end-top-20|title=2010: Year-End Top 20|publisher=WTA|date=10 November 2010|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref>

===2011: Return to the top 10===
It was announced that Sharapova would bring in [[Thomas Högstedt]] as a coach for the 2011 season, joining [[Michael Joyce (tennis)|Michael Joyce]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2010/12/sharapova-hires-hogstedt-to-co-coach-with-joyce/26210/|title=Sharapova hires Hogstedt to co-coach with Joyce|author=Matthew Cronin|publisher=TENNIS.com|date=4 December 2010|access-date=23 October 2014 }}</ref> On 5 December, Sharapova won an exhibition match against world No. 2 [[Vera Zvonareva]] in Monterrey, Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.wtatennis.com/page/OffCourtNews/Read/0,,12781~2239156,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615221220/http://origin-www.wtatennis.com/page/OffCourtNews/Read/0,,12781~2239156,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 June 2013 |title=Maria & Vera In Monterrey |publisher=WTA |date=7 December 2010 |access-date=4 May 2013 }}</ref> In Sharapova's first official Australian Open warm-up tournament at the [[2011 ASB Classic – Singles|Auckland Open]], she was top-seeded. She lost to the Hungarian veteran and eventual champion, [[Gréta Arn]], in the quarterfinals. After that, Sharapova decided to split up with Joyce, ending a successful cooperation that brought her two Grand Slam victories and the world No. 1 ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/sports/20110116/162167367.html|title=Sharapova's long-time coach leaves job|publisher=RIA Novosti|date=16 January 2011|access-date=23 October 2014}}</ref>

Sharapova participated in the first Grand Slam of the season at the [[2011 Australian Open – Women's singles|Australian Open]], where she was the 14th seed, but lost to [[Andrea Petkovic]] in the fourth round.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Kevin |date=2011-01-24 |title=Australian Open 2011: Maria Sharapova is still a queen without a court |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jan/24/australian-open-2011-maria-sharapova |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411094452/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/jan/24/australian-open-2011-maria-sharapova |archive-date=2023-04-11 |access-date=2024-06-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> She also had to pull out of the Dubai Championships and the Qatar Open because of an ear infection.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/espntennis|title=Work to do for Roddick and the Americans|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Ravi Ubha|date=16 February 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> Sharapova returned to the tour in March by taking part in the [[2011 BNP Paribas Open]], where she was seeded 16th. She defeated former world No. 1, Dinara Safina, in the fourth round en route to the semifinal, where she lost to world No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/wozniacki-wins-bnp-paribaas-open_n_838169.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323155204/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/wozniacki-wins-bnp-paribaas-open_n_838169.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 March 2011 |title=Wozniacki Wins BNP Paribas Open, Beats Marion Bartoli In Finals |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |author=Beth Harris |date=20 March 2011 |access-date=14 June 2013 }}</ref> At [[2011 Sony Ericsson Open|Key Biscayne]], Sharapova defeated 26th seed [[Alexandra Dulgheru]] in the quarterfinals, in a match lasting 3 hours and 28 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-02 |title=Maria Sharapova wins Key Biscayne marathon |url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/3/30/20181950/maria-sharapova-wins-key-biscayne-marathon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609183034/https://www.deseret.com/2011/3/30/20181950/maria-sharapova-wins-key-biscayne-marathon/ |archive-date=2024-06-09 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Deseret News |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> In the semifinals, Sharapova took her [[2011 Australian Open – Women's singles|Australian Open]] reprisal on [[Andrea Petkovic]] by defeating her. In the final, she was defeated by [[Victoria Azarenka]], despite a late comeback in the second set.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/aus12/story/_/id/7513049/2012-australian-open-victoria-azarenka-routs-maria-sharapova-win-title|title=Victoria Azarenka routs Sharapova|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=29 January 2011|access-date=14 June 2013}}</ref> With this result, Sharapova returned to the top 10 for the first time since February 2009.<ref name="wtatennis"/>

[[File:Maria Sharapova 2011.jpg|thumb|left|Sharapova at the [[2011 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], August 2011]]
During the clay-court season, Sharapova participated in the [[2011 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open|Madrid Open]], where she lost to [[Dominika Cibulková]] in the third round, and the [[2011 Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]], where she was seeded seventh. She defeated top seed Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals and sixth seed Samantha Stosur in the final to take home the title, marking her biggest clay-court victory to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2360583/title/sharapovas-greatest-clay-court-triumph|title=Sharapova's Greatest Clay Court Triumph|publisher=WTA|date=15 May 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> At the [[2011 French Open]], Sharapova was seeded seventh. She defeated French wildcard [[Caroline Garcia]] in the second round, despite trailing 3–6, 1–4, before winning the last 11 games of the match. In the quarterfinals, she defeated 15th seed Andrea Petkovic, marking her first Grand Slam semifinal since her comeback from the career-threatening shoulder injury. She then lost to sixth seed and eventual champion, [[Li Na]], in the semifinals, ending her clay season with a win–loss record of 12–2.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322014754/http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2011-06-02/201106021307029251097.html|archive-date=22 March 2012|url=http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2011-06-02/201106021307029251097.html|title=Li sweeps Sharapova aside for tilt at title|author=Louisa Baker|date=2 June 2011|access-date=4 June 2011}}</ref>

At the [[2011 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon Championships]], Sharapova had not dropped a set entering the final, before losing to eighth seed [[Petra Kvitová]], in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/14002512|title=Wimbledon 2011: Petra Kvitova beats Maria Sharapova to title|publisher=BBC|author=Piers Newbery|date=2 July 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> This marked her first final in over three years at a Grand Slam event. Sharapova started her summer hard-court season at the [[2011 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]] in [[Stanford, California|Stanford]], California. In a highly anticipated match, Sharapova lost to the eventual champion Serena Williams in the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2405569/title/serena-shines-in-qfs-lisicki-awaits-in-sfs|title=Serena Shines In QFs, Lisicki Awaits In SFs|publisher=WTA|date=29 July 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> In her next event at the [[2011 Rogers Cup – Women's singles|Rogers Cup]] in Toronto, Sharapova lost to [[Galina Voskoboeva]] in the third round, marking her 100th career loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2417634/title/stosur-dismisses-li-tough-day-for-faves|title=Stosur Dismisses Li, Tough Day For Faves|publisher=WTA|date=11 August 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref>

Sharapova then contested the [[2011 Western & Southern Open – Women's singles|Cincinnati Open]]. As the fourth seed, she received a bye into the second round. On the way to her fourth final of the year, she beat [[Anastasia Rodionova]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2422838/title/bartoli-back-on-track-serena-edges-hradecka|title=Bartoli Back On Track, Serena Edges Hradecka
|publisher=WTA|date=16 August 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> 14th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2425089/title/hantuchova-gets-past-bartoli-zvonareva-next|title=Hantuchova Gets Past Bartoli, Zvonareva Next|publisher=WTA|date=18 August 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> tenth seed Samantha Stosur,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2426294/title/zvonareva-sharapova-to-clash-in-semifinals|title=Zvonareva & Sharapova to clash in semifinals|publisher=WTA|date=19 August 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> and 2nd seed Vera Zvonareva.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2427204/title/former-world-no1s-to-collide-in-cincinnati|title=Former world No. 1s to Collide in Cincinnati|publisher=WTA|date=20 August 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> In the final, she defeated fellow former world No. 1 [[Jelena Janković]], in 2 hours and 49 minutes, making it the longest WTA tour final of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110821/SPT/308210027/Sharapova-wins-women-s-title?odyssey|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130407230738/http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110821/SPT/308210027/Sharapova-wins-women-s-title?odyssey|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 April 2013|title=Sharapova wins women's title|publisher=Cincinnati.com|author=Shannon Russell|date=22 August 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> She subsequently moved up to world No. 4, her highest ranking since August 2008 and the highest since her comeback from her shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2428859/title/ranking-watch-maria-moves-up-to-no4|title=Ranking Watch: Maria Moves Up To No. 4|publisher=WTA|date=22 August 2011|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref>

Sharapova entered the [[2011 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], where she was seeded third. She beat [[Heather Watson]], and [[Anastasiya Yakimova]], to reach the third round. She was then upset by [[Flavia Pennetta]]. However, because of the fall of Kim Clijsters and Vera Zvonareva in the rankings, Sharapova climbed to world No. 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Maria-Sharapova-Shocked-Out-of-US-Open,-More-From-.aspx|title=Maria Sharapova Shocked Out of US Open, More From New York|publisher=Tennisnow|date=2 September 2011|access-date=2 September 2011|archive-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706213624/http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Maria-Sharapova-Shocked-Out-of-US-Open,-More-From-.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2011 Toray Pan Pacific Open|Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo, Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/sports/topics/AJ2011093012822 |title=Sharapova limps out of Pan Pacific Open |publisher=The Asahi Shimbun Company |author=Rob Smaal |date=30 September 2011 |access-date=2 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231212/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/sports/topics/AJ2011093012822 |archive-date=21 February 2014 }}</ref> As second seed, she received a bye into the second round, where she beat [[Tamarine Tanasugarn]]. She then beat 13th seed [[Julia Görges]], before retiring against Petra Kvitová in the quarterfinal, 3–4, after slipping on the baseline, suffering an ankle injury. This also forced her to withdraw from the [[2011 China Open (tennis)|China Open]] the following week. Sharapova then flew to Istanbul to prepare for the [[2011 WTA Tour Championships]], her first time qualifying since 2007. During the WTA Tour Championships, Sharapova withdrew during the round-robin stage after defeats against Samantha Stosur and Li Na, as a result of the ankle injury she had suffered in Tokyo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-10-26 |title=Sharapova pulls out of WTA with ankle injury |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/7151959/wta-championships-maria-sharapova-withdraws-ankle-injury |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204140900/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/7151959/wta-championships-maria-sharapova-withdraws-ankle-injury |archive-date=2023-02-04 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Sharapova ended the year as No. 4 in the world, her first top-10 finish since 2008 and first top-5 finish since 2007.

===2012: Career Grand Slam, back to No. 1 and Olympic silver===
{{main|2012 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
[[File:Maria Sharapova Roland Garros 2012.jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova completed the Career Grand Slam after winning the 2012 French Open]]
Sharapova withdrew from the [[2012 Brisbane International]] because of her ongoing ankle injury.<ref>{{cite web|last=Musall |first=Jeff |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/news?slug=ycn-10746909 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111124801/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/news?slug=ycn-10746909 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 January 2012 |title=Maria Sharapova Withdraws from Brisbane, Still on for Australian Open: Fan Reaction – Tennis – Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date=20 April 2011 |access-date=25 January 2012 }}</ref> Her first tournament of the season was the [[2012 Australian Open]], where she was seeded fourth. Sharapova advanced to the final, defeating [[Gisela Dulko]], [[Jamie Hampton]], 30th seed [[Angelique Kerber]], 14th seed [[Sabine Lisicki]], compatriot [[Ekaterina Makarova]] and world No. 2, [[Petra Kvitová]]. In a match that decided who would become the new world No. 1, she lost to Victoria Azarenka, in straight sets. As a result, her ranking improved to world No. 3 behind Azarenka and Kvitová. She then played in the [[2012 Open GDF Suez|Open GDF Suez]] in Paris, where she lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Angelique Kerber. As a result, her ranking improved to world No. 2.

At the [[2012 BNP Paribas Open – Women's singles|Indian Wells Open]], after battling for over three hours, Sharapova defeated compatriot Maria Kirilenko to set up a semifinal meeting with Ana Ivanovic. Sharapova advanced to the final after Ivanovic retired due to a hip injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkWBQLZ15wdEi6m7Hpp14Jg8J8mg?docId=CNG.697f089e0b767f4cfb209463a0122c94.61 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615221223/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkWBQLZ15wdEi6m7Hpp14Jg8J8mg?docId=CNG.697f089e0b767f4cfb209463a0122c94.61 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 June 2013 |title=Ivanovic sweats on extent of hip injury |author=Greg Heakes |date=17 May 2012 |access-date=2 June 2013 }}</ref> In the final, she played world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in a rematch of the Australian Open final, but lost again in straight sets. Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2012 Sony Ericsson Open]], where she was seeded 2nd and received a bye. In the final, Sharapova lost in straight sets to fifth seed Agnieszka Radwańska. This was her third loss of the year in finals out of four tournaments played so far. In the [[2012 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – Singles|Porsche Grand Prix]] in Stuttgart, Sharapova was seeded second. She had a bye in the first round, and advanced to the third round after [[Alizé Cornet]] retired in the second set. She won her first title of the year in Stuttgart after defeating world number one Victoria Azarenka. In doing so, Sharapova defeated three current Grand Slam title holders to win the tournament. Sharapova then played the [[2012 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]], a Premier Mandatory event. In the third round, Sharapova's opponent [[Lucie Šafářová]] was unable to compete and withdrew from the tournament, earning Sharapova a walkover into the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/sharapova-serena-reach-madrid-open-quarters/|title=Sharapova, Serena reach Madrid Open quarters|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=10 May 2012|access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> She was then beaten by eventual champion Serena Williams, in straight sets.

As the defending champion and second seed at the [[2012 Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]], Sharapova had a bye in the first round. In the semifinals, Sharapova defeated Angelique Kerber to advance to the final for the second year in a row. In the final, Sharapova saved match point for a 2-hour 52-minute win over Li Na for her 26th career title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/18138072|title=Maria Sharapova |publisher=BBC|date=20 May 2013|access-date=21 May 2012}}</ref> This marked the fourth time Sharapova had successfully defended a title.
[[File:Flickr - Carine06 - Maria Sharapova (1).jpg|thumb|left|Sharapova at the 2012 Summer Olympics, July 2012]]
Sharapova was seeded second at the [[2012 French Open|French Open]], where she defeated [[Alexandra Cadanțu]], [[Ayumi Morita]], 28th seed [[Peng Shuai]], [[Klára Koukalová]], [[Kaia Kanepi]] and Petra Kvitová on her way to the finals, allowing her to regain the world No. 1 ranking. In the final, she defeated [[Sara Errani]] for her fourth career Grand Slam title (her first since 2008) and her first French Open title. Sharapova became only the tenth woman to complete a Career Grand Slam with the French Open victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/sharapova-savours-her-sweetest-triumph-as-reward-for-comeback-7834856.html|title=Sharapova savours her 'sweetest triumph' as reward for comeback |date=11 June 2012|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=11 June 2012 }}</ref> During the tournament, Sharapova was asked by the [[Russian Olympic Committee]] to bear the flag at the opening ceremony for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/olympics/blog/eye-on-olympics/19352136/maria-sharapova-to-carry-russian-flag-in-opening-ceremony|title=Maria Sharapova to carry Russian flag in opening ceremony|work=CBS Sports|author=Reid Cherner|date=14 June 2012|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> becoming the first [[List of flag bearers for Russia at the Olympics|female Russian athlete]] to receive this honor.

Sharapova decided not to compete in any of the grass-court warm-up events and instead proceeded straight to the [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles#Section 1|Wimbledon Championships]], where she was the top seed at a major event for the first time since the [[2008 French Open – Women's singles|2008 French Open]]. She breezed through her first three matches over [[Anastasia Rodionova]], [[Tsvetana Pironkova]] and the crafty [[Hsieh Su-wei]], extended her winning streak to 15 matches. However, she was upset in the fourth round in straight sets by the 15th-seeded [[Sabine Lisicki]], whom she beat in the previous year's semifinals. Due to being unable to defend her finalist points from the year before, she relinquished the world No. 1 ranking back to Azarenka.

She made her Olympic debut at the [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics|2012 Summer Olympics]] in London and was seeded third in the singles draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer/2012/tennis/story/_/id/8229534/2012-london-olympics-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-play-gold-medal|title=Serena, Maria Sharapova in final|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=3 August 2012|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> She easily beat [[Shahar Pe'er]] and hometown favorite [[Laura Robson (tennis)|Laura Robson]] in straight sets, before avenging her defeat against Lisicki four weeks prior by beating the German in the third round in a tight three-set match. In the quarterfinals, Sharapova defeated fellow former No. 1, Kim Clijsters, to advance to the semifinals, where she faced her compatriot, Maria Kirilenko. Sharapova defeated Kirilenko to reach the Olympic final and guarantee a medal. Facing off against rival Serena Williams, with both players looking for their first Olympic singles gold medal (and a chance to complete a career Golden Slam), Sharapova was thrashed by Williams<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9452056/London-2012-Olympics-Serena-Williams-storms-to-gold-medal-as-she-thrashes-Maria-Sharapova-in-womens-final.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9452056/London-2012-Olympics-Serena-Williams-storms-to-gold-medal-as-she-thrashes-Maria-Sharapova-in-womens-final.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=London 2012 Olympics: Serena Williams storms to gold medal as she thrashes Maria Sharapova in women's final |date=4 August 2012 |access-date=4 August 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> in what was to be her worst defeat to the American, winning only a single game. Nonetheless, with this performance, Sharapova won an Olympic silver medal and overtook Agnieszka Radwańska as world No. 2.

Sharapova did not compete in any of the summer hard-court warm-up events after the Olympics,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-xpm-2012-aug-27-la-sp-sn-sharapova-not-pregnant-20120827-story.html|title=Maria Sharapova isn't pregnant, denies Istanbul wedding rumor|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|author=Diane Pucin|date=27 August 2012|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> pulling out of both [[2012 Rogers Cup – Women's singles|Montreal]] and [[2012 Western & Southern Open – Women's singles|Cincinnati]] (where she was the defending champion) due to a stomach virus. Seeded third at the [[2012 US Open – Women's singles|US Open]], Sharapova breezed through her first three matches against [[Melinda Czink]], [[Lourdes Domínguez Lino]], and [[Mallory Burdette]], losing a total of just seven games. In the fourth round, compatriot Nadia Petrova took it to a third set and was winning until a rain delay. After the delay, Sharapova came back to win, advancing to the quarterfinals of the US Open for the first time since she won the tournament in 2006. In the quarterfinals, she faced 11th seed [[Marion Bartoli]], who was 4–0 up before a rain delay, which delayed the match a whole day. Sharapova then came back from a set down to win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/8342222/2012-us-open-maria-sharapova-once-again-reigns-rain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907134135/http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/8342222/2012-us-open-maria-sharapova-once-again-reigns-rain |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 September 2012 |title=Maria Sharapova reigns after rain |publisher=[[ESPN]] |author=Jane McManus |date=6 September 2012 |access-date=2 June 2013 }}</ref> In the semifinals, Sharapova lost to world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka despite winning the first set.

Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2012 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Singles|Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo. She made it to the quarterfinals, losing to [[Samantha Stosur]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/172129.html|title= Sharapova and Azarenka out in Tokyo |publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=27 September 2012|access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> At the [[2012 China Open – Women's singles|China Open]] she was seeded second. In the finals she was again defeated by Azarenka.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.cntv.cn/program/sportsscene/20121008/104625.shtml|title=Azarenka overwhelms Sharapova to win China Open|publisher=China Central Television|date=8 October 2012|access-date=2 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130104184818/http://english.cntv.cn/program/sportsscene/20121008/104625.shtml|archive-date=4 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2012 WTA Tour Championships|year-end championships]] in Istanbul, where she was seeded [[2012 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|second]]. She defeated Sara Errani, Agnieszka Radwańska, and Samantha Stosur in the round-robin matches. In the semifinals, Sharapova beat Azarenka, bringing their head-to-head meetings to 7–5 in Azarenka's favour. Although Sharapova made it to the final, Azarenka clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking with her two round-robin wins. She lost to Serena Williams for the 9th consecutive time in the final and the third time that year, notching her best score line in three matchups with a 4–6, 3–6 defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtachampionships.com/page/Scores/0,,12910,00.html |title=Scores |publisher=WTA |access-date=2 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810072751/http://www.wtachampionships.com/page/Scores/0%2C%2C12910%2C00.html |archive-date=10 August 2013 }}</ref>

===2013: Third shoulder injury===
Sharapova's first scheduled tournament of the [[2013 WTA Tour|2013 season]] was the [[2013 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]], where she was seeded second. However, she withdrew from the tournament before it began, citing a collarbone injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/8798746/maria-sharapova-withdraws-brisbane-international-due-collarbone-pain|title=Maria Sharapova skips Brisbane|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=1 January 2013|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref> She started her season at the [[2013 Australian Open|Australian Open]] seeded second. She defeated [[Olga Puchkova]] and [[Misaki Doi]] in the first two rounds without losing a game in either match, the first time a player won in back-to-back [[double bagel]]s at a Grand Slam tournament since the [[1985 Australian Open]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3042968/title/once-in-a-lifetime-for-sharapova|title=Once In A Lifetime For Sharapova|publisher=WTA|date=16 January 2013|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> Sharapova then defeated Venus Williams, [[Kirsten Flipkens]], and Ekaterina Makarova, where in losing nine games, she overtook [[Monica Seles]]' record of fewest games dropped heading into a Grand Slam semifinal.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/21133423 Maria Sharapova and Li Na reach Australian Open semifinals], BBC Sport, Retrieved 22 January 2013</ref> She lost to [[Li Na]] in the semifinals.

[[File:Maria Sharapova - Roland-Garros 2013 - 002.jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova at the French Open, May 2013]]
She reached the semifinals at the Qatar Open, losing to Serena Williams for the 10th straight time in her career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/436019/20130216/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-wta-qatar-victoria.htm|title=Qatar Total Open: Williams Blasts Sharapova as New World Number One Rolls into Doha Final|work=International Business Times|author=Martin Baccardax|date=16 February 2013|access-date=22 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218071902/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/436019/20130216/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-wta-qatar-victoria.htm|archive-date=18 February 2013}}</ref> Her next tournament was [[Indian Wells Masters|Indian Wells]], where she was seeded second. She received a bye into the second round and successfully reached the final without dropping a set, where she faced 2011 Indian wells champion and former world No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki. After an hour and twenty-one minutes, Sharapova won the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/9062961/maria-sharapova-wins-indian-wells-title-caroline-wozniacki|title=Maria Sharapova wins Indian Wells|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Martin Baccardax|date=17 March 2013|access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref> This was Sharapova's 28th career title and second at Indian Wells. Her win also made her the No. 2 player in the world behind Serena Williams.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://tennis.si.com/2013/03/17/sharapova-wins-indian-wells-bnp-wozniacki/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320110024/http://tennis.si.com/2013/03/17/sharapova-wins-indian-wells-bnp-wozniacki/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 March 2013 |title=Maria Sharapova dominates Caroline Wozniacki for second Indian Wells title |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=17 March 2013 |access-date=22 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ubitennis.com/english/sport/tennis/2013/03/21/862125-sharapova_aims_coast_coast_double.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606213820/http://www.ubitennis.com/english/sport/tennis/2013/03/21/862125-sharapova_aims_coast_coast_double.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 June 2014|title=Sharapova aims for coast-to-coast double|publisher=Ubisporting|date=23 March 2013|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/sharapova-sails-past-wozniacki-in-indian-wells-final/|title=Sharapova sails past Wozniacki in Indian Wells final|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=17 March 2013|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref>

Sharapova then competed at the [[2013 Sony Open Tennis|Sony Open]]. Once again she reached the final without dropping a set and faced world No. 1, Serena Williams. Maria won the first set. However, Serena won the second and dominated the third set. This was Maria's 11th consecutive loss against Serena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-madrid-final_n_3262472.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608141813/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-madrid-final_n_3262472.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 June 2013 |title=Serena Williams Beats Maria Sharapova To Win Madrid Open 2013, Retain No. 1 Ranking |author=Joseph Wilson |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=12 May 2013 |access-date=22 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1636598-serena-williams-vs-maria-sharapova-world-no-1-will-dominate-madrid-open-final|title=Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova: World No. 1 Will Dominate Madrid Open Final|work=Bleacher Report|author=Patrick Clarke|date=11 May 2013|access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref>

Next, she played at the indoor clay event in Stuttgart, where she was the defending champion. Her first three matches were long three-setters: she first beat world No. 25, Lucie Šafářová, dropping the second set on a tiebreak, then Ana Ivanovic, then in the semifinals, she won against third seed [[Angelique Kerber]]. In the final, in what was her ninth victory against the Chinese out of 14 matches, she beat second seed world No. 5 [[Li Na]] in straight sets to win her 29th career title.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maria Sharapova beats Li Na to retain Stuttgart title|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/22331232|access-date=28 April 2013}}</ref>

A week later, she competed at the [[2013 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]], reaching the final, again without dropping a set. She faced Serena Williams for the 15th time, losing for the 12th consecutive time in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2013/05/12/Serena-Williams-repeats-as-Madrid-Open-champion/UPI-57451368363562/|title=Serena Williams repeats as Madrid Open champion|work=United Press International|date=12 May 2013|access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref>

Next, she played in Rome, where she was seeded second and had a bye in the first round. She beat 16th seed [[Sloane Stephens]] in straight sets (with the loss of three games) in the third round, but then did not play her quarterfinal match against seventh seed Sara Errani and retired from the tournament due to a viral illness.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/17/sport/tennis/djokovic-nadal-tennis-sharapova|title=Djokovic loses at Rome Masters, hurting French Open preparations|work=CNN|date=18 May 2013|access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/serena-azarenka-reach-semis-sharapova-pulls-out-in-rome/|title=Serena, Azarenka reach semis; Sharapova pulls out in Rome|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=17 May 2013|access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref>

At the [[2013 French Open|French Open]], Sharapova reached the final again, beating Azarenka in three sets in the semifinals, but there she lost in straight sets to Serena Williams. At [[2013 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] she was comprehensively beaten in the second round by qualifier [[Michelle Larcher de Brito]]. Sharapova then returned to the tour at the [[2013 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], where she lost her opening match to Sloane Stephens in three sets. A week later Sharapova withdrew from the US Open, citing a shoulder injury, which prematurely ended her season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova withdraws from the U.S. Open|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2013/08/21/maria-sharapova-withdraws-us-open/2683231/|work=USA Today|access-date=22 August 2013}}</ref>

===2014: Comeback and second French Open title===
{{main|2014 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova had not played since August 2013 due to a recurring shoulder injury and made her comeback at the [[2014 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova to make tennis comeback at Brisbane International|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-to-make-tennis-comeback-at-brisbane-international/story-fndkzym4-1226759913966|publisher=News.com.au|access-date=14 November 2013|archive-date=8 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108032712/http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-to-make-tennis-comeback-at-brisbane-international/story-fndkzym4-1226759913966|url-status=dead}}</ref> She advanced to the semifinals where she was beaten in straight sets by Serena Williams. At the [[2014 Australian Open|Australian Open]], Sharapova, ranked third, was knocked out of the tournament in the fourth round by the 20th seed, and eventual finalist, [[Dominika Cibulková]]. Sharapova lost the match in three sets. She then participated in [[2014 Open GDF Suez – Singles|Open GdF Suez]] where she was upset in the semifinals to fellow Russian and eventual tournament winner [[Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova]], in three sets.

In March, playing in the [[2014 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells Open]], she was beaten by 22-year-old Italian [[Camila Giorgi]] in the third round, in three sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennis.si.com/2014/03/10/maria-sharapova-camila-giorgi-indian-wells/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311045906/http://tennis.si.com/2014/03/10/maria-sharapova-camila-giorgi-indian-wells/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 March 2014 |title=Maria Sharapova ousted by Camila Giorgi in third round at Indian Wells &#124; Beyond The Baseline |publisher=Tennis.si.com |access-date=11 March 2014}}</ref> This dropped her ranking to world No. 7. She reached the semifinals in Miami, facing Serena Williams in a rematch of last year's final and lost her 15th consecutive match to Williams. In April, she won the [[Women's Stuttgart Open|Stuttgart Open]], her first title of the year and 30th of her career by defeating Ana Ivanovic in three sets. Stuttgart is the only tournament Sharapova won three times. In May, Sharapova won the [[2014 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]], her second title of the year and first in Madrid, defeating [[Simona Halep]] in three sets. With nine clay titles, she joined Venus Williams as the third most successful active player on the surface.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Sharapova-wins-Madrid-Open-title/articleshow/34985579.cms|title=Sharapova wins Madrid Open title|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=11 May 2014}}</ref> Sharapova then competed in the [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] in Rome, where she made the third round. She lost to Ana Ivanovic in straight sets.

[[File:Us Open 2014 Sharapova serve.jpg|thumb|left|Sharapova serving at the 2014 US Open]]
Sharapova was seeded seventh at the French Open and defeated Ksenia Pervak, Tsvetana Pironkova, and Paula Ormaechea in the first three rounds, all in straight sets. In the fourth round, she defeated Samantha Stosur, reeling off nine straight games from a set and 3–4 down. This marked her 14th win in 16 meetings with the Australian. In the quarterfinals, she defeated [[Garbiñe Muguruza]], again coming back from a set down, to reach the semifinals at the French for the fourth consecutive year. In the semifinals, she defeated [[Eugenie Bouchard]], once again coming back from a set down, to reach her third consecutive French Open final. In the final, she defeated [[Simona Halep]] in three sets to win her second French Open title and fifth overall Major title. This was the first time since 2001 that a third set was contested in the final. The match took just over three hours and has been described as one of the best women's finals in recent years.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Meyers|first1=Nalia-Jean|title=Maria Sharapova Wins French Open|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/sports/tennis/maria-sharapova-wins-french-open.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|date=7 June 2014 |access-date=7 June 2014}}</ref> At [[2014 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Sharapova reached the fourth round, where she lost to Angelique Kerber, the ninth seed, in three sets.

Sharapova then played the [[2014 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]] in [[Montreal]] where she was the fourth seed. She received a first round bye and faced Garbiñe Muguruza in her opener, she won in three sets. In the following round she lost in three sets to Muguruza's compatriot, [[Carla Suárez Navarro]]. At the [[2014 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], Sharapova was seeded fifth and defeated [[Madison Keys]] after having a first round bye. She then went on to defeat Pavlyuchenkova and newly crowned world No. 2, Simona Halep, to reach the last four. She faced Ivanovic again but lost in a roller coaster three-setter despite having two match points. Sharapova then travelled to New York for the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] where she was the 5th seed. She defeated compatriot [[Maria Kirilenko]] and Romanian [[Alexandra Dulgheru]] before overcoming 26th seeded German [[Sabine Lisicki]] in round 3 to set up a clash with Caroline Wozniacki in the round of 16. Sharapova lost to Wozniacki in three sets.

Sharapova next played the inaugural [[2014 Wuhan Open|Wuhan Open]] where she was seeded fourth. After receiving a first-round bye, she defeated compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova in three sets and next faced [[Timea Bacsinszky]]. Although Sharapova won their two previous encounters, she was stunned by Timea in two tight sets, thus ending her campaign at the Premier-5 tournament.

The following week, Sharapova played the [[2014 China Open (tennis)|China Open]] in Beijing, a Premier Mandatory-level tournament. Reaching the final without dropping a set, Sharapova defeated world No. 9 Ana Ivanovic in the semifinals. In the final, Sharapova met reigning Wimbledon champion and world No. 3, Petra Kvitová. Sharapova won the match in 2 hours 30 minutes, defeating the Czech in three sets. By virtue of the win, Sharapova's ranking rose from No. 4 to No. 2 in the world and she secured herself the second seeding for the WTA year-end Championship. Sharapova closed in on the year-end number-one ranking spot, 467 points behind Williams.

Sharapova was ranked No. 2 heading into the WTA Tour Championships, with a chance of overtaking Serena Williams as world No. 1. She was drawn in the white group, with Kvitová, Radwańska, and Wozniacki. Her first match was a three set loss to Wozniacki. Sharapova also lost her second round robin match to Kvitová in straight sets. She ended the year with a win against Radwańska in three sets, finishing third overall in the White Group. She ended the year as world No. 2, behind Serena Williams.

===2015: Fourth Australian Open final===
{{main|2015 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova kicked off her 2015 season at the Brisbane International where she was top seed and received a bye in the first round. Sharapova defeated [[Yaroslava Shvedova]] and Carla Suárez Navarro. In the semifinals, Sharapova faced [[Elina Svitolina]], beating her in straight sets. Reaching the final without dropping a set, Sharapova played an intense match against second seed Ana Ivanovic but came through in three sets. This was Sharapova's tenth win over Ivanovic and by winning her 34th title, it meant that Sharapova had won at least one title every year for 13 consecutive years. Also, it was just her second title in Australia so far, beating Ivanovic both times. Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2015 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she beat [[Petra Martić]] and fellow countrywoman [[Alexandra Panova]] (despite having two match points against her) in the first two rounds, before beating [[Zarina Diyas]] and [[Peng Shuai]] in straight sets. There, she beat seventh-seeded Eugenie Bouchard and Ekaterina Makarova, in straight sets, to make her fourth Australian Open final, where she lost to Serena Williams in straight sets, worsening her record against her to 2–17. In February, following her participation in the [[2015 Fed Cup|Fed Cup]], Sharapova played in [[2015 Abierto Mexicano Telcel|Acapulco]], where she beat [[Shelby Rogers]], [[Mariana Duque Mariño]] and [[Magdaléna Rybáriková]] to advance the semifinals. Sharapova later withdrew from her match against [[Caroline Garcia]], citing a stomach virus. Next, in [[2015 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]], she beat [[Yanina Wickmayer]] and Victoria Azarenka in straight sets, before losing to defending champion [[Flavia Pennetta]] in the fourth round in three sets. After receiving a bye in the first round of the [[2015 Miami Open|Miami Open]], Sharapova lost in the second round to fellow Russian [[Daria Gavrilova]] in straight sets, marking her earliest exit from the tournament since her first appearance in Miami in 2003.

[[File:Maria Sharapova (18952037170).jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova at the 2011 Italian Open where she won the title for third time]]
Sharapova began her clay season in [[2015 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Stuttgart]] where she was the three-time defending champion. After receiving a first-round bye, she lost in the second round to Angelique Kerber in three sets, snapping Sharapova's win streak at the tournament and marking her first-ever loss at the tournament, having won it three times in a row ([[2012 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|2012]], [[2013 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|2013]], & [[2014 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|2014]]). The loss also snapped a 64 match win streak on clay where Sharapova won the first set and went on to win the match. The last time Sharapova lost a match on clay, after winning the first set was against Dinara Safina in the fourth round at the [[2008 French Open]]. As a result of the loss, Sharapova lost the No. 2 ranking to Simona Halep. Sharapova's next clay court tournament was the Madrid Open, where she was the defending champion. She advanced to the semifinals. There, she was beaten by Svetlana Kuznetsova for the first time since 2008. Sharapova's next tournament was the Italian Open in Rome where she was seeded third. She beat Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals in straight sets to set up a rematch with [[Daria Gavrilova]]. She beat Gavrilova in straight sets to advance to the final, where she faced Carla Suárez Navarro. After losing the first set, Sharapova managed to claim the next two sets and her third [[Italian Open (tennis)|Rome]] title. By winning Rome, Sharapova temporarily reclaimed the No. 2 ranking over Halep. Sharapova was seeded fourth at [[2014 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] and reached the semifinals, where she lost to Serena Williams (the eventual champion) in straight sets. After Wimbledon, she withdrew from the [[2015 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], citing a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Open 2015: Injured Sharapova withdraws from Flushing Meadows |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/08/31/tennis/u-s-open-sharapova-injury-withdraws |website=CNN |access-date=19 June 2025}}</ref> This caused her to lose the No. 2 ranking to Halep again.

She then received a wildcard into [[2015 Wuhan Open|Wuhan Open]]<ref>{{cite web|title = Maria Sharapova To Come Back In Wuhan|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5016773/title/maria-sharapova-to-come-back-in-wuhan|website = Women's Tennis Association|access-date = 5 January 2016}}</ref> and received a bye into the second round. However, she retired in her match against [[Barbora Strýcová]] in the 3rd set, citing a left forearm injury.<ref>{{cite web|title = Injury Cuts Short Sharapova Comeback|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5033380/title/injury-cuts-short-sharapova-comeback|website = Women's Tennis Association|access-date = 5 January 2016}}</ref> She then withdrew from the [[2015 China Open (tennis)|China Open]],<ref>{{cite web|title = Maria Sharapova Withdraws From Beijing|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5038315/title/maria-sharapova-withdraws-from-beijing|website = Women's Tennis Association|access-date = 5 January 2016}}</ref> where she was the defending champion, to recover in time for the [[2015 WTA Finals|WTA Finals]] and the [[2015 Fed Cup World Group|Fed Cup final]]. At the [[2015 WTA Finals|WTA Finals]], she was drawn into the red group, alongside Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwańska, and Flavia Pennetta. She then won all three of her round-robin matches and achieved 1st position in her group. Her win over Pennetta also marked the last match of the Italian's career. Sharapova then played the player who finished 2nd in the White Group, Petra Kvitová. She lost the match in straight sets, despite having a 5–1 lead in the second set.

Sharapova then played in the [[2015 Fed Cup World Group|Fed Cup final]], winning both of her matches, against [[Karolína Plíšková]] and got revenge against Petra Kvitová for her loss in the WTA Finals. However, [[Russia Fed Cup team|Russia]] eventually lost 2–3 after falling in a crucial doubles rubber. The Russian ended the season as the world No. 4, despite not playing the US Open Series and missing most of the Fall Asian Hardcourt season. She had a win–loss record of 39–9 and won two titles, reaching the second week in all of the Grand Slams she played.

===2016: More injuries and doping suspension===
Sharapova began her 2016 season at the [[2016 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]] where she was the defending champion. She would have faced Ekaterina Makarova in the first round, but withdrew hours before the match, citing a left forearm injury, and was replaced by [[Margarita Gasparyan]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Halep & Sharapova Out Of Brisbane|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5250538/title/halep-sharapova-out-of-brisbane|website = Women's Tennis Association|access-date = 5 January 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Sharapova Australian Open 2016 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova at the 2016 Australian Open, her last Grand Slam appearance before the suspension]]
Due to Agnieszka Radwańska winning the Shenzhen Open, Sharapova was seeded fifth at the [[2016 Australian Open|Australian Open]]. She was drawn to face [[Nao Hibino]] in the first round and won in straight sets. She then won her second round match against [[Aliaksandra Sasnovich]], also in straight sets. Sharapova then lost her first set in the tournament as she defeated [[Lauren Davis]], in three sets. In the fourth round, she then played her first career match against [[Belinda Bencic]] and won in two tight sets over two hours of play. Sharapova then faced Serena Williams in the quarterfinal, a repeat of the previous year's final. Although she started the match brightly, she was defeated in straight sets. She failed to defend her finalist points from the previous year and fell to sixth in the rankings after the tournament.

After the Australian Open, Sharapova was nominated by team captain [[Anastasia Myskina]] to play the [[2016 Fed Cup World Group|Fed Cup]], but she had a forearm injury and was only listed for the doubles match.<ref>{{cite web|title = Sharapova to Sit out Fed Cup Singles – Tennis Now|url = http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2016/February/Sharapova-to-Sit-out-Fed-Cup-Singles.aspx|website = www.tennisnow.com|access-date = 6 February 2016|archive-date = 10 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160210061648/http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2016/February/Sharapova-to-Sit-out-Fed-Cup-Singles.aspx|url-status = dead}}</ref> Russia lost the first three matches and chose Makarova to replace Sharapova for the dead doubles match. In the end, Russia lost 3–1 but by being nominated for the match, Sharapova successfully qualified for the [[Tennis at the 2016 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]] having played sufficient Fed Cup matches to meet the criteria.

Citing the left forearm injury sustained at the start of the year, Sharapova withdrew from the [[2016 Qatar Total Open|Qatar Open]],<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5337381/title/sharapova-out-of-doha|title = Sharapova Out Of Doha|website = Women's Tennis Association|access-date = 27 February 2016}}</ref> and a week before the [[2016 BNP Paribas Open|BNP Paribas Open]], she withdrew from that for the same reason.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5391658/title/sharapova-out-of-indian-wells|title=Sharapova Out Of Indian Wells|publisher=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

Following a failed drug test from the [[2016 Australian Open]], in which she tested positive for [[meldonium]], a substance that had been banned, effective 1 January 2016, by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Sharapova was provisionally suspended from competitive tennis with effect from 12 March.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/news/225826.aspx|title=Press release: Tennis Anti-Doping Programme statement regarding Maria Sharapova|website=www.itftennis.com|access-date=17 March 2016|archive-date=8 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108212426/https://www.itftennis.com/news/225826.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 8 June she was banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36482288|title=Maria Sharapova: Russian banned for two years for failed drugs test|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 June 2016|access-date=8 June 2016}}</ref> Russian sports minister [[Vitaly Mutko]] has implied that Sharapova was targeted due to the political crisis in Russian-American relations.<ref>Barabash, Taras. [http://rsport.ru/tennis/20160616/947053301.html Допинг-пробу у Шараповой брали намеренно, ее адвокат должен это понимать – Мутко]. ''R-Sport.'' 16 June 2016. ([http://rbth.com/sport/2016/06/17/russian-sports-minister-sharapovas-lawyers-followed-the-hollywood-script_603791 partial English translation])</ref> In October 2016, Sharapova's ban was reduced from 24 months (2 years) to 15 months, starting from 26 January 2016, the date of the drug test she had failed.

===2017: Return from suspension, first WTA title in two years===
Sharapova returned to the WTA Tour in April 2017. She was given wildcards to compete in the following three WTA tournaments: [[Women's Stuttgart Open]], [[Madrid Open (tennis)|Madrid Open]] and [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]]. She played her first match of her comeback on 26 April at the [[2017 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Porsche Grand Prix]], a tournament that she had previously won on three occasions. Her first-round opponent was Italian [[Roberta Vinci]], who she went on to defeat in straight sets to advance to the second round, making it her first victory since her return.<ref name="return">{{cite web|title=Sharapova soars past Vinci in Stuttgart opener.|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/maria-sharapova-soars-past-roberta-vinci-stuttgart-opener-porsche-tennis-grand-prix|publisher=WTA|access-date=26 April 2017|date=26 April 2017}}</ref> In her on-court interview Sharapova said, "The first few seconds before you enter the arena – it's been a stage of mine since I was a young girl – I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."<ref name="return"/> She followed it up with another straight sets victory over Ekaterina Makarova in the second round. In the quarterfinals, she defeated qualifier [[Anett Kontaveit]] in straight sets, before losing to [[Kristina Mladenovic]] in the semifinals.

Sharapova then took part in the [[2017 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]] where she beat [[Mirjana Lučić-Baroni]] in three sets. Sharapova played a second round encounter with Eugenie Bouchard which after three sets Sharapova lost.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/05/08/maria-sharapova-vs-eugenie-bouchard-live/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/05/08/maria-sharapova-vs-eugenie-bouchard-live/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Eugenie Bouchard stuns Maria Sharapova and claims 'a lot of players had privately wished me good luck'|last1=Eccleshare|first1=Charlie|date=8 May 2017|work=The Telegraph|access-date=21 February 2019|last2=Sport|first2=Telegraph|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In the [[2017 Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] opening match she defeated [[Christina McHale]] in straight sets. In her next match, she again faced the 16th seed Mirjana Lučić-Baroni in a rematch of their encounter in Madrid. At one set apiece, Sharapova needed a medical timeout for her thigh, which ultimately forced her to retire in the third set.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-16 |title=Sharapova exits Italian Open with thigh injury |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19397734/maria-sharapova-exits-italian-open-match-thigh-injury |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224180747/https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/19397734/maria-sharapova-exits-italian-open-match-thigh-injury |archive-date=2020-02-24 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=ESPN.com |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Just before the players came on court, French Federation president Bernard Giudicelli announced that Sharapova would not be receiving a wildcard in the main draw or the qualifying draw, preventing her from playing in the [[2017 French Open – Women's singles|2017 French Open]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova: French Open decides against giving former champion a wildcard|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/39932614|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2017|access-date=22 August 2017}}</ref>

Sharapova then received a wildcard to play [[2017 Aegon Classic Birmingham|Birmingham Classic]]. However, the same thigh injury at the [[2017 Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] forced her to withdraw from the entire grass season, including the Wimbledon qualifying rounds. Sharapova was given another wildcard at the [[2017 Bank of the West Classic|Stanford Classic]], her first hard court tournament since the [[2016 Australian Open]]. Her first round opponent was [[Jennifer Brady]], whom she defeated in three sets. The win also pushed Sharapova back inside the top 150. Sharapova withdrew from the next round with a left arm injury. She was set to make a return at the [[2017 Rogers Cup|Canadian Open]], where she had received a wildcard, but ultimately withdrew due to a left arm injury. She was set to play the [[2017 Western & Southern Open|Cincinnati Open]] as a wildcard but pulled out to be fully fit for the [[2017 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], which had also granted Sharapova a wildcard entry. She opened the US Open against world No. 2, Simona Halep, and won in three sets, her first US Open win since the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|2014 US Open]]. In the second round she defeated [[Tímea Babos]], coming from a set down to win in three. In the third round, she played the American wildcard [[Sofia Kenin]], an 18-year-old who was making her first main draw appearance in a major. Sharapova defeated the teenager in tight straight sets to advance to the second week of the [[2017 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. She was defeated by 16th seed [[Anastasija Sevastova]] in the fourth round.

Sharapova received and accepted wildcards to enter the [[2017 China Open – Women's singles|China Open]] and [[2017 Tianjin Open – Singles|Tianjin Open]], both held in China. In her opening match at the China Open, Sharapova once again faced Sevastova, this time prevailing in a three-hour, three-set match. In the second round, Sharapova defeated Ekaterina Makarova, seeing her move back into the top 100 for the first time since before her suspension. In the third round, Sharapova lost to Simona Halep in straight sets, marking her first loss to the Romanian after seven consecutive victories. Sharapova then remained in China for the Tianjin Open, which was her first appearance at the tournament. Sharapova went on to win the tournament, marking her first WTA title since 2015, without dropping a set, including coming back from 1–4 down in the first set and 1–5 down in the second set against 19-year-old [[Aryna Sabalenka]] in the final. The result saw her eventually climb the rankings into the top 60, and she later received another wildcard to enter the [[2017 Kremlin Cup – Women's singles|Kremlin Cup]]. Sharapova recorded her first opening round loss since 2013, with a straight-sets loss to eighth seed [[Magdaléna Rybáriková]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wtatennis.com/players/310137/maria-sharapova|title=Maria Sharapova &#124; Player Stats & More – WTA Official|publisher=Women's Tennis Association}}</ref>

===2018: Return to top 25 and French Open quarterfinal===
Sharapova began her 2018 season at the [[2018 WTA Shenzhen Open|Shenzhen Open]]. She defeated [[Mihaela Buzărnescu]], [[Alison Riske]] and [[Zarina Diyas]] to advance to the semifinals, where she fell to defending champion [[Kateřina Siniaková]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Siniakova supreme over Sharapova to make second straight Shenzhen final|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/siniakova-supreme-over-sharapova-make-second-straight-shenzhen-final|date=5 January 2018|access-date=10 January 2018}}</ref> Sharapova then returned to the [[2018 Australian Open|Australian Open]] for the first time since her suspension, defeating [[Tatjana Maria]] and [[Anastasija Sevastova]] in the opening two rounds, before losing to [[Angelique Kerber]] in straight sets in the third round.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerber quells Sharapova in battle of former Aussie champs|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-quells-sharapova-battle-former-aussie-champs|date=20 January 2018|access-date=20 January 2018}}</ref> Sharapova received a wildcard to enter the [[Qatar Ladies Open|Qatar Open]], losing in three sets to [[Monica Niculescu]] in the opening round. Sharapova pulled out of the [[Dubai Tennis Championships]] due to citing a forearm strain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/02/sharapova-commits-52-unforced-errors-loss-niculescu-doha/72055/|title=Sharapova commits 52 unforced errors in loss to Niculescu in Doha|work=Tennis.com|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> Sharapova played the [[Indian Wells Masters|Indian Wells Open]] falling in the opening round to [[Naomi Osaka]] in straight sets. Sharapova was set to play the [[Miami Open (tennis)|Miami Open]] but withdrew due to a forearm injury.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/osaka-overcomes-frustrated-sharapova-indian-wells|title=Osaka overcomes 'frustrated' Sharapova in Indian Wells|last=Juzwiak|first=Jason|date=8 March 2018|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Paris-FR-75-open de tennis-2018-Roland Garros-stade Lenglen-29 mai-Maria Sharapova-05 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Sharapova at the 2018 French Open]]
Sharapova started her clay court season at the [[2018 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]]. Sharapova faced sixth seed [[Caroline Garcia]] in the opening round but lost in three tight sets. This was her fourth consecutive loss, marking her fall out of the top 50. Sharapova ended her losing streak with a straight sets win over [[Mihaela Buzărnescu]] at the [[Madrid Open (tennis)|Madrid Open]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/sharapova-snaps-losing-streak-madrid-blasts-past-buzarnescu|title=Sharapova snaps losing streak in Madrid, blasts past Buzarnescu|last=Kane|first=David|date=6 May 2018|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> Sharapova defeated [[Irina-Camelia Begu]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2018/05/08/912092-wta-madrid-sharapova-overcomes-huge-scare-storms-past-begu-in-straight-sets.html|title=WTA Madrid: Sharapova overcomes huge scare, storms past Begu in straight sets|last=Han|first=Don|date=8 May 2018|work=VAVEL.com|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> and Kristina Mladenovic in straight sets to advance to quarterfinals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/sharapova-powers-mladenovic-revenge-madrid|title=Sharapova powers to Mladenovic revenge in Madrid|last=Livaudais|first=Stephanie|date=9 May 2018|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> Sharapova fell to [[Kiki Bertens]] in three sets, despite the loss, she climbed back inside the top 40. Sharapova began her [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] campaign with a three set win over 16th seed [[Ashleigh Barty]]. In the second round, Sharapova defeated Dominika Cibulková in three sets,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/bertens-seals-sharapova-madrid-comeback-win|title=Bertens seals Sharapova in Madrid comeback win|last=Kane|first=David|date=10 May 2018|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=15 May 2018}}</ref> following it up with a straight sets victory over [[Daria Gavrilova]] in the third round. From a set down, she went on to defeat world No. 5 [[Jeļena Ostapenko]] in the quarterfinals. Despite taking the opening set in the semifinals, Sharapova's run in Rome ended with a three set loss to world No. 1, Simona Halep. Despite the loss, her performance improved her ranking inside the top 30 and being seeded for the first time since her suspension at the [[2016 Australian Open]]. Sharapova began her [[2018 French Open]] campaign with a three set win over [[Richèl Hogenkamp]] and continued with a straight set win over Croatia's [[Donna Vekić]] in the second round. In the third round, she defeated world No. 6, [[Karolína Plíšková]] in straight sets to advance to the second week of the French Open. In the fourth round, Sharapova was set to play Serena Williams, but Williams withdrew due to injury, giving Sharapova a walkover into her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since the [[2016 Australian Open]]. Sharapova's run ended with a straight sets loss to world No. 3 Garbiñe Muguruza in the quarterfinals.

Sharapova was set to play the [[Birmingham Classic (tennis)|Birmingham Classic]] but withdrew to fully recover ahead of [[Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]]. Sharapova played two exhibition matches, losing her debut to Greece's [[Maria Sakkari]] but defeating [[Natalia Vikhlyantseva]]. Sharapova exited Wimbledon with a three set lost to [[Vitalia Diatchenko]] despite being up a set and serving for the match. This marked her worst Grand Slam result since the [[2010 Australian Open]] and her first ever opening round loss at Wimbledon. Sharapova was set to play at the [[Silicon Valley Classic]] but withdrew due to a change in her schedule. Sharapova played at the [[Rogers Cup]] and recorded straight sets wins over [[Sesil Karatantcheva]] and [[Daria Kasatkina]]. Sharapova fell in the third round with a straight sets loss to world No. 6, Caroline Garcia. Sharapova was set to play at the [[Western & Southern Open]] but withdrew before the tournament started. Sharapova began her [[2018 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] campaign in the opening round, with a straight set win over [[Patty Schnyder]]. Sharapova continued her run with straight set wins over [[Sorana Cîrstea]] and Jeļena Ostapenko. In the fourth round, Sharapova's run ended with a straight sets loss to Carla Suárez Navarro. This marked the first time Sharapova had lost in the night session at [[Arthur Ashe Stadium]], previously having a 22–0 record. Sharapova ended her season with withdraws at the China Open, Tianjin Open and Kremlin Cup with a right shoulder injury. Sharapova ended the season ranked 29.

===2019: 800th match and more injuries===
[[File:Sharapova WM19 (5) (48521917742).jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova in 2019]]
Sharapova began her 2019 season at the [[2019 WTA Shenzhen Open|Shenzhen Open]]. In the opening round, she defeated Timea Bacsinszky in straight sets which was also her 800th career singles match. In the second round, Sharapova defeated [[Wang Xinyu]] after Wang retired in the second set. In the quarterfinals, Sharapova lost to [[Aryna Sabalenka]] after she retired in the second set. Sharapova started her [[2019 Australian Open|Australian Open]] campaign without the loss of a game in a win over [[Harriet Dart]]. Sharapova followed up with a straight set win over [[Rebecca Peterson]] and a three set victory over defending champion Caroline Wozniacki. Sharapova's run ended with a three set loss to [[Ashleigh Barty]] in the fourth round. Sharapova recorded her first win in Russia in thirteen years with a straight sets win over [[Daria Gavrilova]] at the [[2019 St. Petersburg Ladies' Trophy]]. Sharapova withdrew from her second round match against [[Daria Kasatkina]]. Sharapova was set to play at the [[Indian Wells Masters|Indian Wells Open]] and [[Miami Open (tennis)|Miami Open]] but withdrew before the tournaments started due to a shoulder injury for which she stated she was to have minor surgery to repair a fraying tendon and a labrum tear.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/1449910/sharapova-undergoes-minor-shoulder-procedure-withdraws-from-miami | title=Sharapova undergoes minor shoulder procedure, withdraws from Miami }}</ref> Sharapova later withdrew from the [[Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]], [[Madrid Open (tennis)|Madrid Open]], [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] and [[French Open]] due to not being able to compete at her highest level because of her lingering shoulder injury.

Sharapova made a return after being away for over four months, in the grasscourt season at the [[Mallorca Open]] where she received a wild card. In the opening round, Sharapova defeated [[Viktória Kužmová]] in straight sets and recorded her first grasscourt win since 2015. Sharapova's run ended in the second round with a straight sets lost to [[Angelique Kerber]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Kerber seals rival Sharapova in Mallorca | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-seals-rival-sharapova-mallorca | work=WTA Tennis | date = 20 June 2019 | access-date = 26 June 2019}}</ref> In the opening round at [[Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Sharapova retired in the third set against [[Pauline Parmentier]], despite being up a set and a break during the second set. Sharapova lost in the opening round of the [[Rogers Cup]] to [[Anett Kontaveit]] in three sets. Sharapova ended her three match losing streak with a straight sets win over [[Alison Riske]] in the opening round of the [[Western & Southern Open]]. In the second round, Sharapova was defeated by Ashleigh Barty in straight sets. Sharapova fell in the opening round of the [[2019 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] to eventual finalist Serena Williams in straight sets, it was also her final match of the year. She ended the year ranked No. 131, her lowest year-end ranking since 2002.

===2020: Retirement===
Sharapova began her 2020 season at an exhibition tournament in [[Abu Dhabi]], where she defeated [[Ajla Tomljanović]] in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bestsport.news/sharapova-won-tomljanovic-exhibition-tournament-in-abu-dhabi/|title=Sharapova won Tomljanovic exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi|date=20 December 2019|website=Best Sport News|access-date=28 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228170612/https://bestsport.news/sharapova-won-tomljanovic-exhibition-tournament-in-abu-dhabi/|archive-date=28 December 2019|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Although she was scheduled to play exhibition at the [[Hawaii Open]] a week later, she pulled out of the tournament because she was unprepared.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/maria-sharapova-announces-sad-news-ahead-of-australian-open-2020/|title=Maria Sharapova Announces Sad News Ahead Of Australian Open 2020|last=Sharma|first=Aryan|date=27 December 2019|website=Essentially Sports|access-date=28 December 2019}}</ref> Sharapova received a wildcard at the [[Brisbane International]] and fell in the opening round to [[Jennifer Brady]] in three sets. Sharapova participated at the [[Kooyong Classic]], where her opening match against [[Laura Siegemund]] was stopped after the second set due to heavy smoke from wildfires, before being defeated by Tomljanović in the second round. As a wildcard at the [[2020 Australian Open – Women's singles|2020 Australian Open]], Sharapova was defeated in straight sets by [[Donna Vekić]] in the first round. This marked her third consecutive first-round loss at a Grand Slam tournament and, following the tournament, her ranking fell to no. 369, her lowest ranking since August 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/australian-open-2020-maria-sharapova-vs-donna-vekic-result-return-a9293766.html|title =Maria Sharapova unsure if she will return to Australian Open after first-round defeat by Donna Vekic|date=21 January 2020|work=The Independent|access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref>

That defeat to Vekic in Melbourne would prove to be Sharapova's final match of her career, as on 26 February 2020, Sharapova announced her retirement from tennis. In an essay in ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' and ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'', Sharapova wrote: "I'm new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis – I'm saying goodbye. But as I embark on my next chapter, I want anyone who dreams of excelling in anything to know that doubt and judgement are inevitable. You will fail hundreds of times and the world will watch you. Accept it. Trust yourself. I promise you that you will prevail."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/02/maria-sharapova-steps-away-from-the-game|title=Exclusive: "Tennis—I'm Saying Goodbye." After 28 Years and Five Grand Slams, Maria Sharapova Steps Away From The Game|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=26 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/maria-sharapova-tennis-retirement-announcement|title=Exclusive: "Tennis—I'm Saying Goodbye." After 28 Years and Five Grand Slams, Maria Sharapova Steps Away From the Game|magazine=Vogue|date=26 February 2020}}</ref>

===WADA substance controversy===
{{wikinews|International Tennis Federation bans Sharapova for two years after positive drug test}}
On 7 March 2016, Sharapova revealed that she had failed a [[drug test]] at the [[2016 Australian Open]], which she described as the result of an oversight.<ref name=BBCMar16>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/35750285|title=Maria Sharapova failed drugs test at Australian Open|date=7 March 2016|publisher=BBC News Online|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> Sharapova admitted to testing positive for [[meldonium]], an [[ischemia|anti-ischemic]] drug usually prescribed for heart conditions that was added to the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA)'s banned substances list on 1 January 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://swimswam.com/blood-flow-drug-meldonium-added-to-wadas-banned-substances-list/ | title=Blood-Flow Drug Meldonium Added to WADA's Banned Substances List | date=15 October 2015 | access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> Sharapova was provisionally suspended by the [[International Tennis Federation]] (ITF) from playing tennis effective from 12 March 2016. She later released a statement regarding the test and explaining her use of the medicine:

<blockquote>I received a letter from the ITF that I failed a drugs test at the Australian Open. I take full responsibility for it. For the past ten years I have been given a medicine called mildronate by my family doctor and a few days ago after I received the ITF letter I found out that it also has another name of meldonium which I did not know. It is very important for you to understand that for ten years this medicine was not on WADA's banned list and I had legally been taking the medicine for the past ten years. But on January 1st [2016] the rules had changed and meldonium became a prohibited substance which I had not known. I was given this medicine by my doctor for several health issues that I was having in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-fails-drug-test-her-statement-in-full-after-testing-positive-for-meldonium-a6917911.html|title=Maria Sharapova fails drug test: Her statement in full after admitting testing positive for meldonium|work=The Independent|date=7 March 2016}}</ref></blockquote>

Meldonium is not approved for use in the United States, Sharapova's country of residence;<ref name="RFER Kalvins">{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/sharapova-drug-meldonium-mildronate-not-doping-latvian-inventor/27603162.html|title='Sharapova Drug' Is Not Doping, Says Its Latvian Inventor|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=10 March 2016 |publisher=rferl.org|access-date=14 March 2016|last1=Kugel |first1=Maria |last2=Balmforth |first2=Tom }}</ref> however, it is legal to use in Russia, the country that Sharapova represents in tennis.<ref name="wjla">{{cite web | url=http://wjla.com/news/nation-world/sharapova-calls-news-conference-to-make-major-announcement | title=I made a huge mistake | date=7 March 2016 | access-date=24 March 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> The drug's inventor [[Ivars Kalviņš]] said that he did not think taking it should be construed as "doping",<ref name="RFER Kalvins"/> but he also said that it "is very popular among athletes" and was used by the Soviet military for "optimizing the use of oxygen" and that it "allows athletes to train under maximum strain".<ref name="RFER Kalvins"/> [[Don Catlin]], a long-time anti-doping expert and the scientific director of the Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) stated that "There's really no evidence that there's any performance enhancement from meldonium – Zero percent."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-18/holmes-when-wada-goes-rogue/7334952|title=When WADA goes rogue: how the anti-doping agency got it wrong|date=18 April 2016|work=ABC News|access-date=18 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/04/05/meldonium-experts-wada-performance-enhancing-drug/82663156/|title=Experts say there's little evidence meldonium enhances performance|author=Rachel Axon|work=USA Today|access-date=5 April 2016}}</ref>

Sharapova said that she had been taking the drug to treat magnesium deficiency, an irregular EKG and family history of diabetes,<ref name="Reuters sponsors">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/tennis-sharapova-idUSKCN0WA1XU|title=Sponsors back away from Sharapova after failed drug test|date=7 March 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=8 March 2016}}</ref> and indicated that she had not read an email informing her that meldonium had been banned for use in tennis. Meldonium's addition was outlined on a WADA and [[United States Anti-Doping Agency]] summary document<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/maria-sharapova-drug-bombshell-what-happens-to-tennis-superstar-after-positive-meldonium-test/news-story/dfc1c781281cbc64367832955766c8bc |title=Maria Sharapova drug bombshell: What happens to tennis superstar after positive Meldonium test? |publisher=Foxsports (Australia) |date=9 March 2016 |access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usada.org/substances/prohibited-list/major-changes-2016-prohibited-list/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319233235/http://www.usada.org/substances/prohibited-list/major-changes-2016-prohibited-list/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 March 2016 |title=Major Changes – 2016 WADA Prohibited List |publisher=USADA |access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref> and it has been reported that all tennis players were warned five times that it was due to be banned.<ref name="stuff warnings">{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/77730102/former-wada-president-dick-pound-rips-maria-sharapova-how-stupid-can-you-be |title=Maria Sharapova has 'no excuses' for missing five warnings about meldonium ban |work=stuff.co.nz |date=12 March 2016 |access-date=11 March 2016}}</ref> On 11 March 2016, Sharapova denied reports about the five missed warnings via [[Facebook]]:

<blockquote>That's a distortion of the actual "communications" which were provided or simply posted onto a webpage. I make no excuses for not knowing about the ban. The other "communications"? They were buried in newsletters, websites, or handouts (many of them technical, in small print). I didn't take the medicine every day. I took it the way my doctor recommended I take it and I took it in the low doses recommended. I'm proud of how I have played the game. I have been honest and upfront. I won't pretend to be injured so I can hide the truth about my testing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-denies-missing-warnings-about-meldonium-20160312-gnh8yh.html|title=Maria Sharapova denies missing warnings about meldonium|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=12 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/12/maria-sharapova-denies-warned-five-times-meldonium|title=Maria Sharapova denies reports she was warned five times over meldonium|work=The Guardian|access-date=11 March 2016}}</ref></blockquote>

Most fellow tennis players reacted to Sharapova's announcement with little support or sympathy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2016/04/05/tennis-world-continues-hate-maria-sharapova/|title=Tennis world shuns Maria Sharapova|work=The New Daily Australia|date=5 April 2016|access-date=6 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11614009|title=Tennis: Why no one likes Maria Sharapova|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=30 March 2016|access-date=30 March 2016}}</ref> [[John McEnroe]] and [[Pat Cash]] said they found it hard to believe her.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/tennis/mcenroe-doesnt-believe-sharapova-790798|title=McEnroe doesn't believe Sharapova |work=The Daily Star Bangladesh|date=14 March 2016|access-date=26 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pat Cash: I find it hard to believe Sharapova|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03lyp7y|publisher=BBC|date=9 March 2016}}</ref> [[Jennifer Capriati]] posted on [[Twitter]] that she should be stripped of her professional titles.<ref name="ABC strip">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-08/maria-sharapova-jennifer-capriati-twitter-drug-test/7229972 |title=Maria Sharapova: Jennifer Capriati launches Twitter attack on Russian tennis player after drug test announcement |work=ABC News (Australia) |date=8 March 2016 |access-date=9 March 2016}}</ref> [[Chris Evert]] expressed her surprise at the lack of support in tennis for Sharapova, noting that she "[had] always isolated herself from the rest of the tennis world, from the players".<ref>{{cite news|quote=Whether it's shock or whether they don't want to become involved or have an opinion about it. It's sort of surprising that not a lot of players have shown their support for her.|title=Muted response from rivals is because Maria Sharapova has no friends on tour: Evert|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/muted-response-from-rivals-is-because-maria-sharapova-has-no-friends-on-tour-evert/news-story/25942ce807c2b28b0038b11f981bba5d|work=Foxsports|date=10 March 2016|access-date=27 March 2016}}</ref> Serena Williams expressed surprise at Sharapova's announcement but commended her for being "upfront with what she had done".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/09/sports/tennis/serena-williams-says-sharapovas-announcement-surprised-her.html|title=Serena Williams Says Sharapova's Announcement Surprised Her|work=The New York Times|date=8 March 2016|access-date=26 March 2016}}</ref> [[Roger Federer]], [[Rafael Nadal]] and [[Andy Murray]] all publicly condemned Sharapova and argued that she deserved to be punished on the basis that she failed the doping test,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11603707|title=Nadal: Sharapova should be punished|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=11 March 2016|access-date=12 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="National Murray">{{cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/tennis/andy-murray-joins-rafael-nadal-in-calls-for-maria-sharapova-to-face-punishment|title=Andy Murray joins Rafael Nadal in calls for Maria Sharapova to face punishment|work=The National|date=11 March 2016|access-date=13 March 2016}}</ref> with Murray adding that "Taking a drug you don't necessarily need because it's legal is wrong"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsjs.com/url.php?p=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/tennis/taking-a-drug-you-dont-necessarily-need-because-its-legal-is-wrong-andy-murray-on-sharapova-ban-34530253.html|title='Taking a drug you don't necessarily need because it's legal is wrong' – Andy Murray on Sharapova ban|work=Irish Independent|date=10 March 2016|access-date=26 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704034709/http://www.newsjs.com/url.php?p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.ie%2Fsport%2Fother-sports%2Ftennis%2Ftaking-a-drug-you-dont-necessarily-need-because-its-legal-is-wrong-andy-murray-on-sharapova-ban-34530253.html|archive-date=4 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Federer stating that "Whether it's intentional or not, I don't see too much difference. You must be 100 percent about what you are taking".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/06/federer-calls-zero-tolerance-following-news-sharapovas-two-year-ban/58937/#.V2c_BJMrJ0c|title=Federer calls for 'zero tolerance' following news of Sharapova's two-year ban|work=Tennis.com|date=9 June 2016|access-date=19 June 2016}}</ref> Sharapova's case prompted Federer to urge the tennis federation to conduct more anti-doping tests.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Sports/2016-03-27/Shocked-Federer-breaks-silence-on-Sharapova-doping-scandal/216707|title=Shocked Federer breaks silence on Sharapova doping scandal|work=The Hans India|date=27 March 2016|access-date=6 April 2016}}</ref> [[Novak Djokovic]] said that he felt sorry for her, but that she must still be ready for punishment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-tennis-no-tears-are-shed-for-maria-sharapova-1457739940|title=In Tennis, No Tears Are Shed for Maria Sharapova|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=11 March 2016|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref> The [[Russian Tennis Federation]] strongly defended Sharapova, describing the positive drug test as "nonsense" and adding that they expected Sharapova to be available for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Maria Sharapova provisionally banned from tennis after revealing failed drugs test|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/07/maria-sharapova-failed-drugs-test-australian-open-2016-tennis|work=The Guardian|date=8 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Maria Sharapova to play Fed Cup, ensure Olympic place; no Tokyo 2020?|url = http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/02/05/maria-sharapova-fed-cup-doubles-olympics-russia-tennis/|website = OlympicTalk|access-date = 7 February 2016|first = Nick|last = Zaccardi|date = 5 February 2016}}</ref>

As a result of the failed drug test, [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] and [[TAG Heuer]] suspended their relationships with Sharapova, while [[Porsche]] postponed promotional work.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maria Sharapova: Nike suspends contract with Russian over drugs test|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35751916|access-date=8 March 2016|work=BBC|date=8 March 2016}}</ref><ref name=gaur>{{cite news|last1=Gibson|first1=Owen|last2=Cambers|first2=Simon|title=Maria Sharapova under pressure over meldonium use as sponsors flee|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/08/maria-sharapova-meldonium-drug-test-sponsors|access-date=8 March 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=8 March 2016}}</ref> Racquet manufacturer [[Head (company)|HEAD]] stood by Sharapova, saying, "We look forward to working with her", and announced that they intended to extend their contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Head stand by Maria Sharapova after failed drug test: 'We look forward to working with her'|url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/tennis/head-stand-by-maria-sharapova-after-failed-drug-test-we-look-forward-to-working-with-her|work=The National|date=10 March 2016|access-date=12 March 2016}}</ref> They also suggested that WADA should prove scientifically why the drug should be banned.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35785322|title=Maria Sharapova: Head questions Wada's stance on meldonium|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=11 March 2016}}</ref> The [[United Nations Development Programme]] suspended Sharapova from her role as a goodwill ambassador on 16 March, while expressing thanks for her support of their work over the previous nine years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Roopanarine |first=Les |date=15 March 2016 |title=UN suspends Maria Sharapova as goodwill ambassador |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/mar/15/united-nations-suspends-maria-sharapova-as-goodwill-ambassador |access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref>

On 12 April, WADA intimated that athletes who tested positive for meldonium before 1 March could avoid bans, but the International Tennis Federation said that Sharapova's case would proceed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/36045637 |title=Meldonium: Maria Sharapova faces hearing despite new Wada guidance |publisher=BBC News |date=14 April 2016 |access-date=16 April 2016}}</ref> On 8 June, the ITF announced that Sharapova would be suspended for two years. Sharapova indicated she would appeal the ban.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com/tennis/story/maria-sharapova-drug-test-ban-two-years-meldonium-060816 |title=Maria Sharapova banned from tennis for two years for positive drug test |work=FOX Sports |date=8 June 2016 |access-date=8 June 2016}}</ref>

Following a hearing on 7 and 8 September 2016, the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] (CAS) panel found that Sharapova had a reduced perception of the risk that she took while using Mildronate, because (a) she had used Mildronate for around ten years without any anti-doping issue, (b) she did not mask or hide her use of mildronate and was open about it to many in her entourage (c) she had consulted the Russian doctor who prescribed the Mildronate for medical reasons, not to enhance her performance, and (d) she had received no specific warning about the change in status of meldonium from WADA, the ITF, or the WTA.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/media/243891/243891.pdf|title=CAS 2016/A/4643 Maria Sharapova v. International Tennis Federation|publisher=itftennis.com|access-date=4 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tas-cas.org/en/general-information/news-detail/article/cas-reduces-the-ban-of-maria-sharapova-to-fifteen-months.html|title=CAS reduces the ban of Maria Sharapova to fifteen months|publisher=tas-cas.org|access-date=4 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006001501/http://www.tas-cas.org/en/general-information/news-detail/article/cas-reduces-the-ban-of-maria-sharapova-to-fifteen-months.html|archive-date=6 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the CAS panel also noted Sharapova's failure to disclose her use of meldonium on her doping control forms and that she was at fault for (a) failing to give her agent adequate instructions as to how to carry out the important task of checking the Prohibited List, and (b) failing to supervise and control the actions of her agent in carrying out that task (specifically the lack of any procedure for reporting or follow-up verification to make sure that her agent had actually discharged his duty).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/news/243888.aspx|title=CAS decision in the case of Maria Sharapova|publisher=ITFTennis.com|access-date=4 October 2016|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006072110/http://www.itftennis.com/news/243888.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<blockquote> Finally, the panel wishes to point out that the case it heard, and the award it renders, is not about an athlete who cheated. It was only about the degree of fault that can be imputed to a player for a player to make sure that a substance contained in a product she had been legally taking over a long period, and for most of the time on the basis of a doctor's prescription, remained in compliance with TADP and WADC. No question of the intent to violate the TADP and WADC was before this panel: under no circumstances therefore, can the Player be considered to be an "intentional doper".<ref name="auto"/></blockquote>

On 4 October, the CAS reduced the sanction imposed on Sharapova by an Independent Tribunal from 24 months to 15 months.<ref name="WTATennis.com"/> CAS released a statement on its official website stating:<ref name="CNN"/>

<blockquote>Ms. Sharapova committed an anti-doping rule violation and that while it was with "no significant fault", she bore some degree of fault, for which a sanction of 15 months is appropriate.</blockquote>

==Fed Cup participation==
Sharapova has lived in the United States since moving there at the age of seven, but retains her Russian citizenship, and is therefore eligible to play in the [[Fed Cup]] for Russia.<ref name="pravda">{{cite web|url=http://english.pravda.ru/society/stories/11-10-2005/9051-sharapova-0/|title=Maria Sharapova unwilling to trade her Russian citizenship for anything|publisher=[[Pravda]]|date=11 October 2005|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> However, the behavior of Sharapova's father during her matches on the WTA Tour, combined with a perceived lack of commitment by her to the Fed Cup, made her selection for the [[Russia Fed Cup team|Russian Fed Cup team]] controversial in the past.

After Sharapova had beaten fellow Russian [[Anastasia Myskina]] at the [[2004 WTA Tour Championships]], Myskina criticized Sharapova's father, saying: "He was just yelling and screaming instructions to her and I thought he just might jump right on the court at one point in the match." At the Fed Cup semifinals two weeks later, Myskina stated she would stop playing for Russia if Sharapova joined the Russian team the following season: "If she joins our team next season you won't see me there for sure. His behaviour is totally incorrect, simply rude. I don't want to be around people like him." [[Larisa Neiland]], assistant to Russia Fed Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev, added: "Her father's behaviour (at the WTA Tour Championships) was simply outrageous. I just don't see how he could work with the rest of us." However, Tarpishchev himself played down the problem, insisting: "I feel that things will calm down soon and we'll have Myskina, Sharapova, Kuznetsova and everyone else playing for Russia."<ref name="myskina">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4040243.stm|title=Myskina stands by Fed Cup threat|publisher=BBC|date=25 November 2004|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref>

[[File:Sharapova hitting backhand.JPG|thumb|left|Sharapova at her Fed Cup debut in February 2008]]
At the end of 2005, Sharapova stated she was now keen to make her Fed Cup debut<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4326784.stm|title=Sharapova keen to play for Russia|publisher=BBC|date=10 October 2005|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> and was set to play against Belgium in April 2006, but withdrew.<ref name="sharapovadelays">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4788132.stm|title=Sharapova delays debut for Russia|publisher=BBC|date=8 March 2006|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref>
She later withdrew from ties against Spain in April 2007<ref name="missfedcup">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6520271.stm|title=Sharapova to miss Fed Cup debut|publisher=BBC|date=2 April 2007|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> and against the United States in July 2007 because of injuries.<ref name="pulloutangers">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6288526.stm|title=Sharapova pull-out angers Russia|publisher=BBC|date=10 July 2007|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> The latter withdrawal led to Russia's captain saying she would be "ineligible for selection" for the Fed Cup final in September.<ref name="forfedcup">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6904802.stm|title=Russia drop Sharapova for Fed Cup|publisher=BBC|date=16 July 2007|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> However, Sharapova attended the final, cheering from the sidelines and acting as a "hitting partner" in practices, resulting in some of her Russian teammates implying that she was attending only to enable her to play at the [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing Olympics]] (rules state that players must have "shown commitment" to Fed Cup in order to play). [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] said, "She said she wanted to be our practice partner but if you can't play how then can you practice?"<ref name="rowover">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6999113.stm|title=Row over Sharapova's Fed Cup show|publisher=BBC|date=17 September 2007|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref>

Sharapova finally made her Fed Cup debut in February 2008, in Russia's quarterfinal tie against [[Israel Fed Cup team|Israel]].<ref name="Fedcupdebut" >{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/sharapova-set-to-make-fed-cup-debut/2008/01/22/1200764265448.html|title=Sharapova set to make Fed Cup debut|work=The Age|access-date=4 May 2013|date=23 January 2008}}</ref> She won both her singles rubbers, against [[Tzipora Obziler]] and [[Shahar Pe'er]], helping Russia to a 4–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fedcup.com/en/results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100010107|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630213658/http://www.fedcup.com/en/results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100010107|archive-date=30 June 2008|publisher=Fed Cup|title=Fed Cup: Israel vs. Russia tie|date= 2–3 February 2008|access-date=12 June 2010}}</ref> For the semifinals, she was given permission to skip the tie, with Tarpishchev announcing that she will be on the team for the final.<ref name="theage">{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/sharapova-set-to-make-fed-cup-debut/2008/01/22/1200764265448.html|work=The Age|access-date=6 September 2011|date=23 January 2008|title=Sharapova set to make Fed Cup debut}}</ref> However, the date of the final coincided with the lay-off from her shoulder injury, and thus she did not play.<ref name="theage" />

In the 2011 first-round tie, Sharapova played [[Virginie Razzano]] of France and lost. Sharapova was supposed to play [[Alizé Cornet]] but she was suffering from a viral illness.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} Teammate [[Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova]] played and defeated Cornet to secure the 3–2 win for Russia against France. Sharapova continued to participate in 2012 and helped Russia to a 3–2 win against Spain in the first-round tie. Sharapova defeated [[Sílvia Soler Espinosa]] in the first rubber, but was unable to play her second rubber due to illness.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} In 2015, Sharapova helped Russia earn a place in the semifinals after beating Pole [[Urszula Radwańska]] in the first tie and her sister [[Agnieszka Radwańska]] in the second tie. Sharapova was scheduled to play the semifinal against [[Germany Fed Cup team|Germany]], however, she withdrew days before the competition. She then joined the team for the final against [[Czech Republic Fed Cup team|Czech Republic]] and won both of her matches, against [[Petra Kvitová]] and [[Karolína Plíšková]]. Despite the 2 wins by Sharapova, Russia still lost 3–2 after losing the decisive doubles rubber.

==Playing style==
[[File:Maria Sharapova at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships 12 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Sharapova serving at the Wimbledon Championships in 2009]]
Sharapova was an [[aggressive baseliner]], whose game was centered on her powerful serve and groundstrokes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/9/15/16297562/maria-sharapova-feud-serena-williams-explained|title=Maria Sharapova's feud with Serena Williams, explained|last1=Abad-Santos|first1=Alex|work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=18 September 2017|access-date=12 December 2020}}</ref> She hit her shots with relentless speed, power, and depth, and could generate sharp, acute angles with both her forehand and backhand.<ref name="profile">Jeff Cooper. [http://tennis.about.com/od/playersfemale/a/sharapovagp.htm Maria Sharapova – Tennis Game Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208143919/http://tennis.about.com/od/playersfemale/a/sharapovagp.htm |date=8 December 2016 }}, About.com. Retrieved 23 July 2008.</ref> Her aggressive, high-risk playing style meant that she typically generated high numbers of both winners and unforced errors. Sharapova's greatest weapon was her backhand, which was described upon her retirement as "among the best in tennis".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/feb/26/im-saying-goodbye-maria-sharapova-announces-tennis-retirement|title="I'm saying goodbye": Maria Sharapova announces tennis retirement|last1=Mitchell|first1=Kevin|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=26 February 2020|access-date=11 May 2021}}</ref> Her crosscourt backhand was her greatest shot, although she was also adept at hitting her backhand down-the-line, and was able to hit winners with her backhand from any position on the court. Her forehand was also strong, capable of dominating opponents with her flat and powerful shots. She was one of the few players on the WTA Tour who often used the reverse forehand—also known as the 'buggy whip' forehand—a technique that allowed her to hit winners from defensive positions which excelled on fast grass, hard, and carpet courts. It has been speculated, however, that her reliance on this shot may have contributed to her worsening shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/26/sports/tennis/IHT-26rwtechnic.html|title=The forehand has taken a great leap forward|work=[[The New York Times]]|last1=Clarey|first1=Christopher|date=26 June 2006|access-date=12 December 2021}}</ref> From 2010 onwards, when she returned after shoulder surgery, Sharapova began to hit her forehand with a more conventional swing, with increased amounts of topspin. This alteration allowed her to excel on clay courts, but affected her game on faster hard and grass courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/story/_/id/12922259/how-maria-sharapova-cemented-place-clay-court-specialist|title=How Maria Sharapova cemented her place as a clay-court specialist|publisher=[[ESPN]]|last1=McCarvel|first1=Nick|date=20 May 2015|access-date=12 December 2021}}</ref> Later in her career, Sharapova added both a drop shot and a sliced backhand to her repertoire, making for a more unpredictable playing style. Whilst her drop shot was highly telegraphed, her exceptional execution allowed her to end points, or induce unforced errors from opponents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ausopen.com/articles/match-report/ruthless-sharapova-powers-second-round|title=Ruthless Sharapova powers into second round|last1=Petkovski|first1=Suzi|work=[[Australian Open]]|date=14 January 2019|access-date=12 December 2021}}</ref><ref>Steve Bierley. [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/23/tennis.australianopen2008 Sharapova adds variety to end Henin run], ''The Guardian'', 23 January 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thetennistimes.com/maria-sharapova/|title=Maria Sharapova Scouting report|publisher=Thetennistimes.com|access-date=7 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007231236/http://thetennistimes.com/maria-sharapova/|archive-date=7 October 2011}}</ref> Sharapova was thought to have good speed around the court, especially considering her height, although her footwork, speed, and court coverage were always considered the major weaknesses in her game. These improved throughout her career, allowing her to execute a more defensive playing style effectively, counterpunching until she could create the opportunity to hit a winner.<ref name="profile"/>

Throughout her career, Sharapova's greatest asset was considered to be her mental toughness and competitive spirit, with Nick Bollettieri stating that she is "tough as nails"; Bollettieri later described her mental strength as "unbelieveable". Hall-of-famer [[John McEnroe]] said of Sharapova, "she's one of the best competitors in the history of the sport."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/04/1088879371559.html|author=Linda Pearce|work=The Age |title=Sharapova's arrival a victory for mental toughness|date=5 July 2004|access-date=12 June 2010|location=Melbourne}}</ref> Upon her retirement, she was described as "the ultimate competitor", who was set apart from her peers by her mental strength, and was lauded as an "unyielding character".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/27/tennis/maria-sharapova-retirement-legacy-spt-int/index.html|title=Maria Sharapova, the ultimate competitor with a complicated legacy|last1=Lewis|first1=Aimee|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=27 February 2020|access-date=12 December 2021}}</ref> American player [[Christina McHale]] described playing Sharapova as "intimidating" due to her mental fortitude, competitive spirit, and composure under pressure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/christina-mchale-tennis-five-toughest-opponents|title=The five toughest players I've ever faced|work=[[The Players' Tribune]]|last1=McHale|first1=Christina|date=28 July 2016|access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref> Sharapova was known for on-court "[[grunting in tennis|grunting]]", which reached a recorded 101 [[decibel]]s during a match at [[2005 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon in 2005]];<ref name="grunting">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4118708.stm|title=Why do women tennis stars grunt?|author=Megan Lane|publisher=BBC|date=22 June 2005|access-date=23 July 2008}}</ref> Sharapova described her grunting as "a natural instinct."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/06/12/878185.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723042253/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/06/12/878185.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 July 2012|title=Scream queen Sharapova warned to silence screams|newspaper=ABC News|date=12 June 2003|access-date=4 July 2010}}</ref> When questioned by the media about her grunting, Sharapova urged the media to "just watch the match."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4649550.stm|title=Beaten Sharapova turns on media|publisher=BBC|date=26 January 2006|access-date=2 June 2008}}</ref>

===Serve===
Early in her career, Sharapova's first and second serves were regarded as powerful,<ref name="profile"/> and she was believed to possess one of the best deliveries on the WTA Tour.<ref name="Serve1" /> Since the beginning of 2007, however, problems with her shoulder reduced the effectiveness of her serve.<ref name="Serve1">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3046996|author=Joel Drucker|work=ESPN Tennis|title=Lingering injuries or limitations coming to light for Sharapova|date=3 October 2007|access-date=12 June 2010}}</ref> Her shoulder injury resulted in not only inconsistent first serves, but also led to Sharapova hitting high numbers of double faults.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071124055318/http://www.tennis.com/features/general/features.aspx?id=108430 "Bottom line for the top women, 2007"]}}, Tennis.com. Retrieved 23 July 2008.</ref> Two-time US Open singles champion [[Tracy Austin]] stated that Sharapova often lost confidence in the rest of her game when she experienced problems with her serve, and consequently produced more unforced errors and generally played more tentatively,<ref name="austin">{{cite web|author=Tracy Austin |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25396610/ |title=Austin: Sharapova loss a win for Venus and Serena |work=NBC Sports |date=27 June 2008 |access-date=23 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714023402/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25396610/ |archive-date=14 July 2008 }}</ref> whilst tennis writer Joel Drucker remarked that her serve was the "catalyst for her entire game", and that her struggles with it left her "unmasked."<ref name="Serve1" /> In her return from an injury layoff in 2008 to 2009, she used an abbreviated motion, which, whilst producing aces, was somewhat less powerful, and also gave a very high number of double faults. From 2010, Sharapova returned to a more elongated motion, similar to her pre-surgery serve. She was able to produce speeds greater than before, including a {{convert|121|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} serve hit at the Birmingham tournament in 2010—the fastest serve of her career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/7841792/Wimbledon-2010-Maria-Sharapova-fighting-fit-at-last-and-ready-to-reclaim-her-SW19-crown.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/7841792/Wimbledon-2010-Maria-Sharapova-fighting-fit-at-last-and-ready-to-reclaim-her-SW19-crown.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Wimbledon 2010: Maria Sharapova fighting fit at last and ready to reclaim her SW19 crown|author=Mark Hodgkinson|date=21 June 2010|access-date=21 June 2010|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Continuing shoulder injuries affected her serve, and, by the end of her career, her serve was a major liability, with Sharapova serving many double faults per match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.optimumtennis.net/maria-sharapova-serve.htm|title=Maria Sharapova Serve Analysis – A Look Behind the Sharapova Serve Technique|publisher=Optimumtennis.net|access-date=25 January 2012|archive-date=16 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216153525/http://www.optimumtennis.net/maria-sharapova-serve.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Net play===
[[File:Sharapova Roland Garros 2009 10 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Sharapova volleying at the net]]
Instead of using a traditional [[volley (tennis)|volley]] or overhead [[Smash (tennis)|smash]], Sharapova preferred to hit powerful "swinging" volleys when approaching the net or attacking [[Lob (tennis)|lobs]].<ref>Douglas Robson. [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/wimb/2007-06-24-volleys_N.htm Swinging, midcourt volley becomes key weapon among pros], ''USA Today'', 25 June 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2008.</ref> In her final years, Sharapova began to attack the net more, and showed improved feel when volleying, being able to hit delicate volleys with increased regularity. This tactic was considered by some to compensate for her decreased power at the baseline as a result of her shoulder injury.

===Surfaces===
Because she predicated her game on power and aggression, Sharapova's preferred surfaces early in her career were fast hard, grass, and carpet courts. Sharapova initially was not as well-suited to slower clay courts, admitting in 2007 that she was not as comfortable with her movement on clay compared with other court surfaces and once described herself as like a "cow on ice" on clay due to her inability to slide.<ref name="cow">{{Cite web |last=Flatman |first=Barry |date=2007-05-31 |title=Sharapova: a cow on ice? |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/france/paris/sharapova-a-cow-on-ice-2phkwhbzp66 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref> As her career developed, she began to improve on the surface, winning her first red clay title at the [[2009 Internationaux de Strasbourg]], with her clay-court prowess culminating to two [[French Open|Roland-Garros]] titles. In 2014, she led the WTA Tour with the highest winning percentage on clay among active players, with an 84.25% winning rate.<ref name="tennis.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/04/dont-have-cow/51317/|title=Don't Have a Cow|website=Tennis.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/feat-of-clay-sharapova-found-unexpected-sanctuary-at-roland-garros|title=Feat of Clay: Sharapova found unexpected sanctuary at Roland-Garros|last1=Bodo|first1=Peter|work=[[Tennis (magazine)|Tennis]]|date=19 April 2020|access-date=12 December 2021}}</ref>

==Coaches==
Sharapova had multiple coaches throughout her career. Besides her father Yuri,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/09/sports/tennis/biggest-distraction-for-sharapova-is-her-father.html|title=Biggest Distraction for Sharapova Is Her Father (Published 2005)|first=Liz|last=Robbins|newspaper=The New York Times|date=9 September 2005}}</ref> this included [[Robert Lansdorp]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/20/wimbledon2005.wimbledon20|title=Man who put the work into Sharapova|date=20 June 2005|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3742834|title=Maria Sharapova has had a long road to becoming tennis royalty-and she's not about to lose her crown|date=20 June 2005|website=ESPN}}</ref> [[Michael Joyce (tennis)|Michael Joyce]] in 2004–11,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.costa-del-tennis.com/tennis-interview-coach-michael-joyce/|title=Coach Michael Joyce Interview, A True Ladies Man..|date=19 September 2013}}</ref> [[Jimmy Connors]] in 2013,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/10247183/Maria-Sharapova-dumps-coach-Jimmy-Connors-after-just-one-match-following-Cincinnati-Masters-defeat.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/10247183/Maria-Sharapova-dumps-coach-Jimmy-Connors-after-just-one-match-following-Cincinnati-Masters-defeat.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Maria Sharapova dumps coach Jimmy Connors after just one match following Cincinnati Masters defeat|website=The Telegraph|date=16 August 2013 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Sven Groeneveld]] in 2013–18,<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/2013/11/21/maria-sharapova-hires-sven-groeneveld-as-new-coach|title=Maria Sharapova hires Sven Groeneveld as her new coach|first=Courtney|last=Nguyen|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> [[Thomas Högstedt]] in 2010–13, 2018–19,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2013/07/12/maria-sharapova-splits-with-coach-thomas-hogstedt-ana-ivanovic-splits-with-nigel-sears|title=Maria Sharapova splits with coach|first=Courtney|last=Nguyen|newspaper=Sports Illustrated |date=11 July 2013 }}</ref> and [[Riccardo Piatti]] in 2019–20.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/maria-sharapova-is-ready-to-attack-again-coach-riccardo-piatti/|title="Maria Sharapova is Ready To Attack Again"- Coach Riccardo Piatti|website=Essentially Sports|date=11 November 2019}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{{main|Maria Sharapova career statistics}}

===Grand Slam tournament performance timeline===
{{Performance key|short=yes|active=no}}

{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center;font-size:96%
|-
! Tournament
! [[2003 WTA Tour|2003]]
! [[2004 WTA Tour|2004]]
! [[2005 WTA Tour|2005]]
! [[2006 WTA Tour|2006]]
! [[2007 WTA Tour|2007]]
! [[2008 WTA Tour|2008]]
! [[2009 WTA Tour|2009]]
! [[2010 WTA Tour|2010]]
! [[2011 WTA Tour|2011]]
! [[2012 WTA Tour|2012]]
! [[2013 WTA Tour|2013]]
! [[2014 WTA Tour|2014]]
! [[2015 WTA Tour|2015]]
! [[2016 WTA Tour|2016]]
! [[2017 WTA Tour|2017]]
! [[2018 WTA Tour|2018]]
! [[2019 WTA Tour|2019]]
! [[2020 WTA Tour|2020]]
! {{Tooltip|SR|Strike rate}}
! {{Tooltip|W–L|Win–loss}}
! Win %
|-
| align=left | '''{{nowrap|[[Australian Open]]}}'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 Australian Open – Women's singles|1R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2004 Australian Open – Women's singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2005 Australian Open – Women's singles|SF]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2006 Australian Open – Women's singles|SF]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2007 Australian Open – Women's singles|F]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2008 Australian Open – Women's singles|W]]'''
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 Australian Open – Women's singles|1R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2011 Australian Open – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2012 Australian Open – Women's singles|F]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2013 Australian Open – Women's singles|SF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2014 Australian Open – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2015 Australian Open – Women's singles|F]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2016 Australian Open – Women's singles|QF]]
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2018 Australian Open – Women's singles|3R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2019 Australian Open – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2020 Australian Open – Women's singles|1R]]
| 1 / 16
| 57–15
| {{tennis win percentage|won=57|lost=15|integer=yes}}
|-
| align=left | '''[[French Open]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 French Open – Women's singles|1R]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2004 French Open – Women's singles|QF]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2005 French Open – Women's singles|QF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2006 French Open – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2007 French Open – Women's singles|SF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2008 French Open – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2009 French Open – Women's singles|QF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 French Open – Women's singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2011 French Open – Women's singles|SF]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2012 French Open – Women's singles|W]]'''
| style="background:thistle" | [[2013 French Open – Women's singles|F]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2014 French Open – Women's singles|W]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2015 French Open – Women's singles|4R]]
| A
| A
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2018 French Open – Women's singles|QF]]
| A
| A
| 2 / 14
| 56–12
| {{tennis win percentage|won=56|lost=12|integer=yes}}
|-
| align=left | '''[[Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|W]]'''
| style="background:yellow" | [[2005 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|SF]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2006 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|SF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2007 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2011 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|F]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2013 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2014 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|SF]]
| A
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2018 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|1R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|1R]]
| style="color:#767676;"|NH
| 1 / 15
| 46–14
| {{tennis win percentage|won=46|lost=14|integer=yes}}
|-
| align=left | '''[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 US Open – Women's singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2004 US Open – Women's singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2005 US Open – Women's singles|SF]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2006 US Open – Women's singles|W]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2007 US Open – Women's singles|3R]]
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2009 US Open – Women's singles|3R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 US Open – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2011 US Open – Women's singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2012 US Open – Women's singles|SF]]
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2014 US Open – Women's singles|4R]]
| A
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2017 US Open – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2018 US Open – Women's singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2019 US Open – Women's singles|1R]]
| A
| 1 / 13
| 38–12
| {{tennis win percentage|won=38|lost=12|integer=yes}}
|- style="font-weight:bold; background:#efefef"
| style=text-align:left | Win–loss
| 4–4
| 15–3
| 19–4
| 20–3
| 16–4
| 11–2
| 7–3
| 8–4
| 16–4
| 21–3
| 12–3
| 16–3
| 14–3
| 4–1
| 3–1
| 8–4
| 3–3
| 0–1
| {{nowrap|5 / 58}}
| {{nowrap|197–53}}
| {{tennis win percentage|won=197|lost=53|integer=yes}}
|}

====Singles finals: 10 (5 titles, 5 runner-ups)====
{| class="sortable wikitable"
!Result
!Year
!style="width:120px"|Championship
!Surface
!style="width:160px"|Opponent
!style="width:130px" class="unsortable"|Score
|- 
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|2004]] || style="background:#cfc"|[[Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] || Grass || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Serena Williams]] || 6–1, 6–4
|- 
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2006 US Open – Women's singles|2006]] || style="background:#ccf"|[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] || Hard || {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Justine Henin]] || 6–4, 6–4
|- 
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2007 Australian Open – Women's singles|2007]] || style="background:#ffc"|[[Australian Open]] || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 1–6, 2–6
|- 
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2008 Australian Open – Women's singles|2008]] || style="background:#ffc"|Australian Open || Hard || {{flagicon|SRB|2004}} [[Ana Ivanovic]] || 7–5, 6–3
|- 
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2011 Wimbledon Championships – Women's singles|2011]] || style="background:#cfc"|Wimbledon || Grass || {{flagicon|CZE}} [[Petra Kvitová]] || 3–6, 4–6
|- 
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2012 Australian Open – Women's singles|2012]] || style="background:#ffc"|Australian Open || Hard || {{flagicon|BLR|1995}} [[Victoria Azarenka]] || 3–6, 0–6
|- 
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2012 French Open – Women's singles|2012]] || style="background:#ebc2af"|[[French Open]] || Clay || {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Sara Errani]] || 6–3, 6–2
|- 
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2013 French Open|2013]] || style="background:#ebc2af"|French Open || Clay || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 4–6, 4–6
|- 
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2014 French Open|2014]] || style="background:#ebc2af"|French Open <small>(2)</small> || Clay || {{flagicon|ROU}} [[Simona Halep]] || 6–4, 6–7<sup>(5–7)</sup>, 6–4
|- 
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2015 Australian Open – Women's singles|2015]] || style="background:#ffc"|Australian Open || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 3–6, 6–7<sup>(5–7)</sup>
|}

===WTA Tour Championships===
'''Finals: 3 (1 title, 2 runner-ups)'''

{| class="sortable wikitable"
!Result
!Year
!style="width:150px"|Championship
!Surface
!style="width:160px"|Opponent
!style="width:120px" class="unsortable"|Score
|- 
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2004 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2004]] || style="background:#ffc;"|[[WTA Finals]], Los Angeles || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Serena Williams]] || 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
|- 
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2007 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2007]] || style="background:#ffc;"|[[WTA Finals]], Madrid || Hard || {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Justine Henin]] || 7–5, 5–7, 3–6
|- 
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2012 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2012]] || style="background:#ffc;"|[[WTA Finals]], Istanbul || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 4–6, 3–6
|}

==Awards==
{{See also|WTA Awards}}

{{Div col}}
; 2003
* [[Russian Cup (tennis)|Russian Cup]] Newcomer of the Year
* Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Newcomer of the Year<ref name="WTA_Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |publisher=WTA |access-date=29 April 2013 |title=WTA Awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421031247/http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |archive-date=21 April 2013 }}</ref>
; 2004
* WTA Player of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499|publisher=WTA|access-date=29 April 2013|title=Players: Maria Sharapova|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606221849/http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499|archive-date=6 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* WTA Most Improved Player of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
; 2005
* [[ESPY Awards|ESPY]] Best Female Tennis Player<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
* Prix de Citron Roland Garros<ref>{{cite web|url=http://orange-citron.org/2005/communiques.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113030513/http://www.orange-citron.org/2005/communiques.php|archive-date=13 November 2008|publisher=Prix Orange|language=fr|access-date=6 September 2011|title=Communiqués de presse|trans-title=Press releases}}</ref>
* Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year
; 2006
* Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year
* Whirlpool 6th Sense Player of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info"/>

; 2007
* ESPY Best Female Tennis Player<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
* ESPY Best International Female Athlete<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
; 2008
* ESPY Best Female Tennis Player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/espyawrd.shtml#wtennis|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20020223000325/http://www.hickoksports.com/history/espyawrd.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2002|publisher=Hickok Sports|title=Women's Tennis|access-date=6 September 2011}}</ref>
* Russian Cup Team of the Year (as part of the [[Russia Fed Cup team|Fed Cup team]])
; 2010
* WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
* WTA Humanitarian of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
* WTA Most Fashionable Player (On Court)<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
* WTA Most Fashionable Player (Off Court)<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
* WTA Most Dramatic Expression<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
; 2012
* ESPY Best Female Tennis Player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1255849-espy-awards-2012-winners-results-recap-and-top-moments|title=2012 ESPY Awards Winners: Results, Recap and Top Moments|work=Bleacher Report|author=Richard Langford|date=12 July 2012|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref>
* [[Order of Merit for the Fatherland#Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland|Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland]] 2nd Class (28 April 2012) – ''for her philanthropic activity''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pravo.gov.ru:8080/page.aspx?13296|script-title=ru:Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 28 April 2012 № 529 "О награждении государственными наградами Российской Федерации"|publisher=Government of Russia|language=ru|access-date=5 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517012042/http://www.pravo.gov.ru:8080/page.aspx?13296|archive-date=17 May 2012}}</ref>
* [[Order of Merit for the Fatherland#Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland|Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland]] 1st Class (13 August 2012) – ''for her outstanding contribution to the development of physical cultures and sports at the XXX Olympic Games in 2012 in London (Great Britain)''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://graph.document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1623257 |script-title=ru:Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 13 августа 2012 года № 1165 "О награждении государственными наградами Российской Федерации" |publisher=Government of Russia |language=ru |access-date=5 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423171125/http://graph.document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1623257 |archive-date=23 April 2013 }}</ref>
* Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year
; 2016
* [[Order For Merit to the Fatherland]] (5 February 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.championat.com/tennis/news-2371661-mutko-vruchil-sharapovoj-gosudarstvennye-nagrady.html|title=Мутко вручил Шараповой государственные награды|trans-title=Mutko handed in government awards to Sharapova|publisher=Championat.com|date=5 February 2016|access-date=5 February 2016|language=ru}}</ref>
{{Div col end}}

==Personal life==
===Relationships===
In 2011, Sharapova was engaged to Slovenian professional basketball player [[Sasha Vujačić]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2010/10/21/maria-sharapova-sasha-vujacic-engaged-proposed-los-angeles-lakers/|title=Maria Sharapova & Sasha Vujacic – Engaged|work=TMZ|date=21 October 2010|access-date=21 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823145627/http://www.tmz.com/2010/10/21/maria-sharapova-sasha-vujacic-engaged-proposed-los-angeles-lakers/|archive-date=23 August 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 October 2010 |title=Maria Sharapova betrothed to guard |url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=5713080 |access-date= |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> with whom she had been in a relationship since 2009.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 November 2009 |title=The Fabulous Forum: Are Sasha Vujacic and Maria Sharapova dating? |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/11/lakers-sasha-vujacic-maria-sharapova-dating.html |access-date= |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> On 31 August 2012, Sharapova confirmed that the pair had ended the engagement and separated earlier that year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Former Lakers G Sasha Vujacic, tennis star Maria Sharapova end engagement|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/former-lakers-g-sasha-vujacic-tennis-star-maria-sharapova-end-engagement/|access-date=18 September 2020|website=CBS Sports|date=31 August 2012 |language=en}}</ref> Between 2012 and 2015, Sharapova dated Bulgarian tennis player [[Grigor Dimitrov]].

Since 2018, Sharapova has been in a relationship with English businessman [[Alexander Gilkes]].<ref>{{cite web |date=29 December 2019 |title=Who Is Maria Sharapova's Boyfriend, Alexander Gilkes? |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/who-is-maria-sharapova-boyfriend-alexander-gilkes/ |access-date= |publisher=Essentially Sports}}</ref> In December 2020, Sharapova and Gilkes revealed they were engaged.<ref>{{cite web |date=17 December 2020 |title=Maria Sharapova Is Engaged to Prince William's Friend Alexander Gilkes: 'Our Little Secret' |url=https://people.com/sports/maria-sharapova-confirms-engagement-to-prince-williams-friend-alexander-gilkes-our-little-secret/ |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref> On 1 July 2022, she gave birth to a son.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |date=15 July 2022 |title=Maria Sharapova and Fiancé Alexander Gilkes Welcome Their First Baby: 'Our Little Family' |url=https://people.com/parents/maria-sharapova-and-fiance-alexander-gilkes-welcome-first-baby/ |access-date= |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |language=}}</ref>

===Public profile===
Sharapova has lived in the United States since moving there at the age of seven. She has a home in [[Bradenton, Florida|Bradenton]], Florida, , California.<ref name="peoplemagazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1183711,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223093250/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C26334%2C1183711%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 February 2008 |title=Celebrity Q & A – Maria Sharapova |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |date=17 April 2006 |author=Kathy Ehrich-Dowd }}</ref>
From 2005 to 2011, Sharapova was named to the [[Forbes Celebrity 100|''Forbes'' Celebrity 100]], which attempts to compile the top 100 most powerful celebrities of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/maria-sharapova|title=The Celebrity 100|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date=28 June 2011}}</ref>

Sharapova has now taken up the sport of [[pickleball]]. In 2024, she played a doubles match partnering with [[John McEnroe]] in a loss to [[Andre Agassi]] and his wife [[Steffi Graf]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Sharapova, McEnroe to Face Agassi and Graf in Pickleball Slam |url=https://www.tennisnow.com/Blogs/NET-POSTS/September-2023/Sharapova,-McEnroe-to-Face-Agassi-and-Graf-in-Pick.aspx |website=tennisnow.com |access-date=25 April 2025}}</ref>

===Politics===
In early March 2022, Sharapova spoke out against the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] and pledged to donate to 'Save the Children' organisation helping Ukrainian children impacted by the war.<ref>{{cite news |title='Heartbroken' Maria Sharapova rejects Russia's invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/heartbroken-maria-sharapova-rejects-russias-invasion-of-ukraine/news-story/08de28a127399a28dcac42ebb52a1ada |work=News.com.au |date=11 March 2022}}</ref>

===Citizenship===
Although a [[Lawful permanent residents (United States)|United States resident]] since 1994, Sharapova has preferred keeping her Russian citizenship: <blockquote>It is about the family environment, it is about the rich culture. Just life experiences that I look back to and I know that for so many years I was shaped into the individual I was from those experiences. And not necessarily simply the country, but the people, the mentality and the toughness and that never giving up attitude.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/03/23/maria-sharapova-i-wont-trade-russian-citizenship.html |title=Maria Sharapova: I won't trade Russian citizenship |website=CNBC |date=23 March 2015 }}</ref></blockquote>

===Charity work===
[[File:Maria Sharapova UNDP (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Sharapova as an [[UNDP Goodwill Ambassador]] in 2010]]
The Maria Sharapova Foundation is committed to helping children around the world achieve their dreams. Sharapova has donated $100,000 to Chernobyl-related projects. In partnership with the [[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP), she launched a $210,000 scholarship program for students from Chernobyl-affected areas of Belarus that will award five-year scholarships to 12 students at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts and the Belarusian State University.<ref>{{cite web|author=www.xperedon.com |url=http://www.chnet.com/4209/maria-sharapova-foundation.html |title=Donate online to Maria Sharapova Foundation |publisher=Chnet.com |access-date=29 March 2017}}</ref> At the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|2004 US Open]], Sharapova, along with several other Russian female tennis players, wore a black ribbon in observance of the tragedy after the [[Beslan school hostage crisis]], which took place only days before.<ref name="espn">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/usopen04/news/story?id=1874900|title=Sharapova puts loss in perspective|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=David Boroff|date=6 September 2004|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> In 2005, she donated around US$50,000 to those affected by the crisis.<ref name="wtacareer"/> On 14 February 2007, Sharapova was appointed a [[UNDP Goodwill Ambassador|Goodwill Ambassador]] for the UNDP and donated US$210,000 to [[Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme (CRDP)|UNDP Chernobyl-recovery projects]]. She stated at the time that she was planning to travel back to the area after Wimbledon in 2008,<ref name="usatoday">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2007-08-13-799623401_x.htm|title=Maria Sharapova plans 1st trip back to Chernobyl since family fled|publisher=USAToday|author=Beth Harris|date=13 August 2007|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> though it didn't happen since she had to travel back to the US because of her shoulder injury.<ref name="wimbledon">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629223721/http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2010-06-28/201006281277743223156.html|archive-date=29 June 2010 |url=http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2010-06-28/201006281277743223156.html|title=Interview with Sharapova|publisher=WTA|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> She fulfilled the trip in late June/early July 2010. Sharapova helped to promote the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], Russia,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Joe |title=Maria Sharapova turns on charm to sell Sochi |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2014/02/05/maria-sharapova-sochi-olympics/5220053/}}</ref> and was the first torch bearer in the torch-lighting ceremony during the opening festivities. In addition, Sharapova participated in an exhibition in Tampa in December 2004, raising money for the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/tennis/story/7874647|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615221331/http://www.cbssports.com/tennis/story/7874647|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2013|title=Capriati, Sharapova to play benefit for hurricane victims|work=CBS Sports|date=10 November 2004|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref> In July 2008, Sharapova sent a message on DVD to the memorial service of Emily Bailes, who had performed the coin toss ahead of the [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|2004 Wimbledon final]] that Sharapova won.<ref name="bbcnews">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/7489565.stm|title=Service held for Wimbledon girl|publisher=BBC|date=4 July 2008|access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref>

===Autobiography===
Sharapova's autobiography, ''[[Unstoppable. My Life So Far]]'' was published on 12 September 2017, by [[Farrar, Straus and Giroux|Sarah Crichton Books]].<ref>[http://www.vowelor.com/book/unstoppable-maria-sharapova-autobiography/ Unstoppable: My Life So Far by Maria Sharapova], ''Sarah Crichton Books''</ref>

==Endorsements==
[[File:Maria Sharapova, December 2008.jpg|thumb|Sharapova at official unveiling of her [[Canon PowerShot]] Diamond lineup]]
Sharapova's tennis success and appearance have enabled her to secure commercial endorsements that greatly exceed the value of her tournament winnings.<ref name="marcganis">Marc Ganis, the president of SportsCorp Ltd., a sports-industry consultant in Chicago, said, "Never underestimate the importance of physical beauty to an athlete's endorsement opportunities. Other than performance on the court, it may be the single most important asset." ''The New York Times''. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/sports/tennis/03endorse.html?fta=y Serving Their Clients], 7 September 2006</ref><ref name="hbswk">"It does not hurt that Sharapova is regarded as one of the most beautiful athletes in the world." [http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5607.html Marketing Maria: Managing the Athlete Endorsement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025025827/http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5607.html |date=25 October 2015 }}, [[Harvard Business School]] Lessons from the classroom, Sara Jane Gilbert, 29 October 2007. Retrieved on 1 June 2008.</ref> She has been represented by [[IMG (company)|IMG]] agent [[Max Eisenbud]] since around 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/27/sports/tennis/max-eisenbud-maria-sharapovas-agent-builds-her-brand.html|title=Dealmaker for the Shotmakers|last=Lattman|first=Peter|date=26 August 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=16 March 2024}}</ref> In March 2006, Forbes magazine listed her as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, with annual earnings of over US$18&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/03/22/woods-sharapova-nike_cx_lr_0322athletes_2.html|title=The World's Best-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|date=22 March 2006}}</ref> the majority of which was from endorsements and sponsorships. She topped that list every year until 2016, even after her 2007 shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web|title = World's Highest-Paid Women Athletes|url =http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/earnings/women-paid.htm|access-date =9 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/07/22/women-athletes-endorsements-biz-sports-cx_tvr_kb_0722athletes.html|title=Top-Earning Female Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|date=22 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/08/18/top-earning-female-athletes-business-sportsmoney-female-athletes.html|title=The World's Highest-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|date=18 August 2010}}</ref> In 2011, ''Forbes'' listed Sharapova as No. 29 in their list of 50 top-paid athletes, the only woman on the list.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kurt Badenhausen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106040824/http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/05/31/the-worlds-highest-paid-athletes/2/|archive-date=6 November 2012|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/05/31/the-worlds-highest-paid-athletes/ |title=The World's Highest-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]] |date=18 April 2012 |access-date=5 May 2013}}</ref> In 2012, she was listed as No. 15, and was joined in the top 20 by [[Li Na]] at No. 16 and [[Serena Williams]] at No. 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2012/06/18/mayweather-tops-list-of-the-worlds-100-highest-paid-athletes/|title=Mayweather Tops List Of The World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|author=Kurt Badenhausen|date=18 June 2012|access-date=5 May 2013}}</ref> In April 2005, ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' named her one of the 50 most beautiful celebrities in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=PEOPLE's 50 Most Beautiful People |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1046248_1054061,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104001504/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C1046248_1054061%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 January 2007 |date=27 April 2005 |access-date=5 May 2013 }}</ref> In 2006, ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' ranked Sharapova the hottest athlete in the world for the fourth consecutive year. She posed in a six-page bikini photoshoot spread in the 2006 [[Valentine's Day]] issue of the ''[[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue]]'', alongside 25 supermodels.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/swimsuit/coverfeatured/10256/index.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722062431/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/swimsuit/coverfeatured/10256/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 July 2012|title=2006 SWIMSUIT COVER|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=4 September 1995|access-date=5 May 2013}}</ref> In a poll run by Britain's ''[[FHM]]'' magazine, she was voted the [[FHM's 100 Sexiest Women (UK)#Most Eligible Bachelorettes|seventh most eligible bachelorette]],<ref name="newscomau">{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,21300664-10388,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303091807/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C23663%2C21300664-10388%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 March 2007 |work=News.com.au |title=Rod's daughter most eligible |date=28 February 2007 |access-date=4 May 2013 }}</ref> based on both "wealth and looks."

Immediately after her win at the 2004 Wimbledon Championship, mobile phone company [[Motorola]] signed Sharapova to endorse their mobile phone line.<ref name=nytdress/> Additionally, she appeared in commercials for [[Land Rover]] and [[Canon (company)|Canon]], as well as approved of namesake items by watch brand [[Tag Heuer]] and jeweller [[Tiffany & Co.|Tiffany]].<ref name=nytdress/> Tiffany also provides Sharapova with earrings from the "Tiffany for Maria Sharapova" collection at the four major events, that are also retailed globally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press.tiffany.com/News/NewsItem.aspx?id=130 |title=Tiffany & Co. For The Press &#124; News &#124; Maria Sharapova to Wear Tiffany Earrings at the 2011 French Open &#124; United States |publisher=Tiffany & Co. |date=11 May 2011 |access-date=11 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108004447/http://press.tiffany.com/News/NewsItem.aspx?id=130 |archive-date=8 January 2013 }}</ref> She also starred in an award-winning campaign for the sports clothing brand Nike, "[[Pretty (advertisement)|Pretty]]", in the summer of 2006. She signed a sponsorship deal in January 2007 with [[Gatorade]] and [[Tropicana Products|Tropicana]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/01/Issue-72/Sponsorships-Advertising-Marketing/Pepsico-Inks-Sharapova-To-Promote-Gatorade-Tropicana-Brands.aspx |title=PepsiCo Inks Sharapova To Promote Gatorade, Tropicana Brands |publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |date=3 January 2007 |access-date=10 September 2014 }}</ref> which ended in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/5163203/Maria-Sharapova-loses-tennis-fizz-as-Pepsi-end-deal.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/5163203/Maria-Sharapova-loses-tennis-fizz-as-Pepsi-end-deal.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Maria Sharapova loses tennis fizz as Pepsi end deal |work=The Telegraph |date=16 April 2009 |first=Rod |last=Gilmour |access-date=10 September 2014 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2007, Sharapova was featured in a number of Canon USA's commercials for the PowerShot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/14539/maria-sharapova/|title=Maria Sharapova in Canon PowerShot commercial|publisher=LetsGoDigital|access-date=5 May 2013}}</ref> Sharapova has also been depicted in many tennis-related video games. Some of the titles include the ''[[Top Spin (video game)|Top Spin series]]'', ''[[Virtua Tennis]]'' series, and ''[[Grand Slam Tennis]]'' series. During the layoff due to her shoulder surgery, Sharapova decided to focus on developing her name as a brand, beginning with meeting with her sponsors more extensively to further her brand.<ref name=nytdress/> In January 2010, it was announced that Sharapova had renewed her contract with Nike, signing an 8-year deal for $70&nbsp;million—the most lucrative deal ever for a sportswoman.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jan/12/maria-sharapova-nike-deal|title=Maria Sharapova signs £43m deal with Nike|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Simon Cambers|access-date=5 May 2013|date=12 January 2010}}</ref>

Sharapova launched her own tennis apparel line, the Nike Maria Sharapova Collection, in 2010. The collection includes dresses that she designed for all the major tournaments, in collaboration with Nike and [[Cole Haan]].<ref name=cnn-ms>{{cite web| url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/27/sport/tennis/tennis-sharapova-grand-slam-design/index.html | work=CNN | title=Grand slam designs: Maria Sharapova's fashion statement | date=27 January 2012|access-date=19 May 2013}}</ref> She comes up with design ideas and sketches in a process that begins 18 months before the event<ref name=cnn-ms/> and receives royalties from the sale of the collection, of which the corresponding dresses are coordinated to be available simultaneously with the corresponding major tournament.<ref name=nytdress/> Sharapova had earlier collaborated with Nike on the [[little black dress#Famous examples|little black dress]] that she wore for her night matches at the 2006 US Open.<ref name=nytdress/> The dress featured a round crystal-studded collar and was inspired by [[Audrey Hepburn]].<ref name=nytdress>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/fashion/maria-sharapovas-campaign-to-establish-herself-as-a-brand.html?pagewanted=all | work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Eric | last=Wilson | title=Maria Sharapova's Campaign to Establish Herself as a Brand | date=25 May 2011|access-date=5 May 2013}}</ref> The dress was well publicized and received but was not mass-produced.<ref name=nytdress/><ref name=cnn-ms/><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sectionfront/life/sharapovas-little-black-dress-provokes-a-big-racket-at-us-open-448646/ | work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] | first=MacKenzie | last=Carpenter | title=Sharapova's little black dress provokes a big racket at U.S. Open | date=1 September 2006|access-date=5 May 2013}}</ref> Additionally, she designs shoes and handbags for Cole Haan, for which her signature ballerina flats are one of the biggest sellers of the entire brand.<ref name=nytdress/>

Sharapova used the [[Prince Sports|Prince]] Triple Threat Hornet for part of 2003 and then used several different Prince racquets. She started the 2004 season with the Prince More Attack 920, which she used to win the [[2004 Wimbledon Championships]]. She gave the racquet to [[Regis Philbin]] when taping ''[[Live with Regis and Kelly]]'', and began using the Prince Turbo Shark MP specially designed for her at the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|2004 US Open]] until 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/PSHKOS/PSHKOSReview.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327130507/http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/PSHKOS/PSHKOSReview.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 March 2008 |title=Prince Shark Racquet Review |access-date=18 June 2012 |publisher=Tennis Warehouse }}</ref> She then switched to the Prince O3 White racquet in January 2006 which helped her capture her second major at the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|2006 US Open]]. She briefly used the Prince O3 Speedport White at the [[2007 Kremlin Cup]], but ultimately switched back to the O3 White, winning her third major at the [[2008 Australian Open]]. She then switched to the Prince O3 Speedport Black in July 2008 after returning to the tour from shoulder surgery, then switched to the Prince EXO3 Black 100 in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://princetennis.com/tennis/files/teamPrincePlayer.aspx?plyid=89 |title=Tennis Racquets, Tennis Footwear, String, EXO3 Racquet |publisher=Prince Tennis |access-date=31 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022085350/http://www.princetennis.com/tennis/files/teamPrincePlayer.aspx?plyid=89 |archive-date=22 October 2008 }}</ref> After being with Prince for ten years,<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228161310/http://tennis.com/articles/templates/gear.aspx?articleid=9327&zoneid=24|archive-date=28 December 2010|url=http://tennis.com/articles/templates/gear.aspx?articleid=9327&zoneid=24 |title=Gear – Maria Sharapova's New Head for the New Year? |publisher=TENNIS.com |date=21 December 2010 |access-date=11 June 2012}}</ref> Sharapova began endorsing [[Head (company)|Head]] racquets in 2011 and used their Instinct line,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.head.com/tennis/news.php?region=us&id=758|title=Performance meets Style – Maria Sharapova joins the HEAD team!|publisher=Head Tennis|date=3 January 2011|access-date=18 January 2011|archive-date=13 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713071147/http://www.head.com/tennis/news.php?region=us&id=758|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/player.html?ccode=SHARAPOVA|title=Maria Sharapova|publisher=Tennis Warehouse|date=18 January 2011|access-date=18 January 2011|archive-date=27 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527060103/http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/player.html?ccode=SHARAPOVA|url-status=dead}}</ref> winning the [[French Open]] in [[2012 French Open|2012]] and [[2014 French Open|2014]] until she retired in 2020.

Sharapova signed a three-year deal to be brand ambassador for [[Porsche]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harley|first=Michael|title=Porsche picks Maria Sharapova as brand ambassador|date=23 April 2013 |url=http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/porsche-picks-maria-sharapova-as-brand-ambassador/|access-date=25 August 2013}}</ref>

==Business ventures==
[[File:Collision 2024 - DFX 1689 (53803081879).jpg|thumb|Sharapova with [[Paddy Cosgrave]] at ''[[Web Summit|Collision 2024]]'' in [[Toronto]]]]
Sharapova launched her confectionery brand [[Sugarpova]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.snackandbakery.com/articles/102169-maria-sharpova-s-sugarpova-fills-a-niche | title=Maria Sharpova's Sugarpova fills a niche &#124; 2012-08-29 &#124; Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery }}</ref> Sugarpova had a reported sales of $20 million in the year 2019.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielshapiro/2020/10/13/the-richest-self-made-women-under-40-including-rihanna-maria-sharapova-and-kylie-jenner/ | title=The Richest Self-Made Women Under 40, Including Rihanna, Maria Sharapova and Kylie Jenner | website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref> In 2014, Sharapova invested in sunscreen brand supergoop.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vogue.com/article/maria-sharapova-new-supergoop-sunscreen-co-owner | title=Maria Sharapova on Beauty and Becoming the Co-Owner of Supergoop Sunscreen | date=10 April 2014 }}</ref> It was reported in 2021 that Blackstone had bought a majority stake in Supergoop.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-20/blackstone-growth-buys-sunscreen-brand-supergoop-majority-stake | title=Blackstone Buys Majority Stake in Sunscreen Brand Supergoop | newspaper=Bloomberg | date=20 December 2021 }}</ref>
Sharapova also appeared as a guest shark in the American TV show ''[[Shark Tank]]'' in 2020, where she teamed up with [[Mark Cuban]] to invest in wearable wrist and ankle weights company Bala Bangles.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/01/shark-tank-mark-cuban-and-maria-sharapova-invest-in-bangle-weights.html | title='Shark Tank': Mark Cuban and Maria Sharapova invested nearly $1 million in a wearable weights company | website=[[CNBC]] | date=March 2020 }}</ref> Later in 2020, Sharapova became an investor in wellness brand Therabody.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/11/maria-sharapova-invests-in-therabody.html | title=Tennis champion Maria Sharapova invests in tech wellness brand Therabody | website=[[CNBC]] | date=11 August 2020 }}</ref> Some other companies Sharapova has invested in include [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]], Tonal, Public.com, Moonpay, Clio Snacks.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2666756-serena-venus-williams-tom-brady-ben-affleck-more-invest-in-ufc | title=Serena, Venus Williams, Tom Brady, Ben Affleck, More Invest in UFC | website=[[Bleacher Report]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://fortune.com/2021/09/18/maria-sharapova-investments-tonal-home-fitness-startup/ | title=Maria Sharapova on why she invested in home fitness startup Tonal }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/06/maria-sharapova-takes-equity-stake-in-investment-platform-publiccom-.html|title=Maria Sharapova takes equity stake in investment platform Public.com|first=Jessica|last=Golden|website=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/crypto-firm-moonpay-raises-87-mln-justin-bieber-maria-sharapova-others-2022-04-13/ | title=Crypto firm MoonPay raises $87 MLN from Justin Bieber, Maria Sharapova, others | newspaper=Reuters | date=13 April 2022 | last1=Mattackal | first1=Lisa Pauline }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/22672-professional-athletes-participate-in-clio-snacks-funding-round | title=Professional athletes participate in Clio Snacks' funding round &#124; Food Business News }}</ref> In April 2022, Sharapova also became a member of the Board of Directors of the fashion brand [[Moncler]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/maria-sharapova-moncler-board-directors-bettina-fetzer-jeanne-jackson-1235164287/ | title=Maria Sharapova, Jeanne Jackson Join Moncler's Board | date=21 April 2022 }}</ref> Sharapova acts as an advisor to brands Naked Retail and Bright.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/sharapova-lands-on-forbes-woman-russia-magazine-s-cover | title=Sharapova lands on Forbes Woman Russia magazine's cover }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bright-raises-15m-live-video-150000376.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADL3VF9lKfZyiDzQq_2Aw6DcDVBv1udBabWsoZIRnN8eTB3CMMK_Zx7sKv2ZERpZWehKzzlRK03EMSu7R66JHTIvAy-977GRk9W1EKCem25KfQy-m2N1cUhWB0A7Vnau4ngqDBvHII25RvSMIHQfNDZK9saPRbKF7Mt-gqAH1qL8 | title=Bright raises $15M for its live video platform that lets you learn from top creators | date=26 August 2021 }}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Film and television
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|2016
|''[[Chelsea (TV series)|Chelsea]]''
|Herself
|Episode: "Mission to Moscow"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baseline.tennis.com/article/59965/sharapova-stars-chelsea-handlers-netflix-show|title=Sharapova teaches Chelsea Handler how to drink on Netflix|work=[[Tennis (magazine)|Tennis]]|date=15 August 2016|access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2017
|''Maria Sharapova: The Point''
|Herself
|Documentary<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shape.com/fitness/trends/best-fitness-documentaries-netflix|title=The Most Inspiring Fitness Documentaries On Netflix|work=[[Shape (magazine)|Shape]]|date=28 October 2018|access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2018, 2020
|''[[Billions (TV series)|Billions]]''
|Herself
|2 Episodes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shape.com/fitness/trends/best-fitness-documentaries-netflix|title=Sharapova makes surprise cameo in Billions|work=[[Tennis (magazine)|Tennis]]|date=29 May 2018|access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|''[[Ocean's 8]]''
|Herself
|Cameo appearance<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/17-celeb-cameos-in-oceans-8-you-mightve-missed-including-more-than-one-kardashian-9288935|title=17 Celeb Cameos In 'Ocean's 8' You Might've Missed, Including More Than One Kardashian|work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]|date=7 June 2018|access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2019
|''[[The Morning Show (American TV series)|The Morning Show]]''
|Herself
|Episode: "Play the Queen"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baseline.tennis.com/article/86365/maria-sharapova-jennifer-aniston-morning-show|title=Sharapova makes cameo on The Morning Show|work=[[Tennis (magazine)|Tennis]]|date=13 December 2019|access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2020
|''[[Shark Tank]]''
|Herself
| Guest Shark, Episode #11.13<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Matthew |date=28 February 2020 |title='Shark Tank' recap: Sharks wage weighty battle to partner with Maria Sharapova |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/02/29/shark-tank-recap-guest-maria-sharapova-serves-up-weighty-deal/4896724002/ |access-date=14 March 2020 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[ATP World Tour records]]
* [[WTA Tour records]]
* [[List of WTA number 1 ranked singles tennis players]]
* [[List of female tennis players]]
* [[List of tennis rivalries]]
* [[Tennis records of the Open Era – Women's singles]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
'''General'''
* {{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499/title/maria-sharapova|title=Players: Maria Sharapova|publisher=WTA|access-date=19 April 2013}}

'''Specific'''
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{sister project links||d=Q11666|c=Category:Maria Sharapova|n=Category:Maria Sharapova|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
* {{WTA}}
* {{ITF profile}}
* {{Billie Jean King Cup player}}
* {{Wimbledon player}}
* {{ESPN Tennis}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{Olympics.com}}

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{{navboxes|title=Maria Sharapova in the [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam tournaments]]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharapova, Maria}}
[[Category:Maria Sharapova| ]]
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[[Category:Tennis players from Bradenton, Florida]]
[[Category:US Open (tennis) champions]]
[[Category:Wimbledon champions]]
[[Category:WTA number 1 ranked singles tennis players]]
[[Category:21st-century Russian sportswomen]]
[[Category:American female pickleball players]]
[[Category:IMG Academy alumni]]