Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova - Sexy blonde :: Tennis Poster Girl  

Maria Sharapova is a Russian professional tennis player. Sharapova has won multiple Grand Slam singles titles. In 2004, at the age of 17, she won Wimbledon, defeating Serena Williams in the final. She has since won the 2006 US Open, defeating Justine Henin in the final, and the 2008 Australian Open, defeating Ana Ivanovic in the final.

  

Maria Sharapova - Star Tennis Player

Sharapova Aliases (Nicknames & Misspelled names): Sherapova, Sharapowa, Marea Sharapova, Sharapov, Tennis Blonde, Siberian Siren, Maria Mania, Offensive Baseliner

~:: Table of Contents ::~

Personal Information :: Hobbies :: Biography :: Career Highlights :: Sharapova Quotations :: Proffessional Records :: Endorsements Details :: TV Show Appearances :: Awards :: Tennis Singles Awards :: Tennis Doubles Awards :: Sharapova Magazine Covers :: Photo Gallery :: In the News

Birth Name                   Maria Yuryevna Sharapova

Height                           6' 2''(1.88 m)

Sex                                  Female

Nationality Russian             Birth Date 19-Apr-87

Birth Place                       Nyagan, Russia (Siberian Region)

Residing At                   Bradenton, Florida, USA

Professio                   Tennis Player, Model

Other Interests Fashion, Singing, Jazz dancing and Movies (favorite is Pearl Harbor)

Education Keystone High School (home schooling program via correspondence on the internet)

Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy, in Brandenton, Florida, USA

Friends List Sharapova's friends list includes fellow Russian tennis player Maria Kirilenko, American tennis player Andy Roddick and Hollywood actress Uma Thurman, Hollywood actress Camilla Belle

Father Yuri Sharapova

Mother Yelena Sharapova

Once upon a time, the world was promised the uncanny fusion of beauty and talent on the tennis court; it seemed like our prayers were answered when Anna Kournikova joined the professional tour. Unfortunately, the Russian beauty proved she was better suited to appear on the pages of magazines than on the court.However, then came a new racket in town that has just picked up where Kournikova left off. She has that same combination of beauty and talent, and this time it doesn't seem like a fluke. After all, Kournikova doesn't have any trophies on her fireplace mantle, whereas Sharapova is starting a collection. A brilliant tennis player with a deadly backhand, Maria Sharapova was the youngest titlist on the WTA Tour in 2003 with two championships under her belt. Although she has since curbed her enthusiasm somewhat, she used to be called the "Siberian Siren" because of her extremely loud grunting whenever she hit the ball.

Sharapova Childhood:

Sharapova's parents moved from Homel, Belarus, to Siberia, Russia, in 1986, after the Chernobyl nuclear accident. She was born the following year(on April 19, 1987) in in Nyagan, a town in the Siberian region of Russia. In 1989, the family moved to the Black Sea resort town of Sochi. Sharapova's father, Yuri Sharapov, brought Maria to the United States to attend the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida when she was 7 years old. Her mother, Yelena, who could not come with them because of visa restrictions, followed a few years later. Sharapova has lived in the United States since then but retains her Russian citizenship.

Climbing the Ladder:

Sharapova began climbing the ranks in the World Tennis Association (WTA), earning her first tournament title in Japan in 2003. Her crowning moment came in 2004, when she won Wimbledon at a mere 17 year of age, solidifying a consistent spot in the top five. In just 12 months Maria has become not only Wimbledon Champion & Winner of the WTA Tour Championships but the face of Women's tennis. With this she moves to a carrer high number 4 in the world rankings, also becomes the first champion from Russia & the only second player to win the title on her debut.

Ultimate Diva of Tennis:

In just two years she has become the poster child for women's tennis. She has become the top-draw in the sport, ushering in a new era of rising stars and helping to broaden the field after years of Williams sisters' dominance. Off the court she is known for her looks. She often takes modeling jobs and works on her endorsements. 2005 finds Sharapova on pace to take in over $20 million, most of which will come from her endorsements--the most recent a three-year $6 million deal with Colgate-Palmolive. But it is tennis where her focus lies. She carries with her a streak of 17 straight wins on grass heading into Wimbledon 2005, where she will defend her 2004 championship at the prestigious event. 

When asked about her income, she said, "It's never enough. Bring on the money. There's no limit to how much you can make."

'I am not the next anyone, I'm the first Maria Sharapova.'

After presenting the 2007 Australian Open runner-up trophy to her:

Announcer: And I'm sure you have a few words to say

Maria Sharapova: A few more than the games I won today.

'You mean my speech was better than my game today?' (at the press conference after losing the Australian Open's final)

'I look forward to playing her many more times - and winning a few, I hope.' (after a defeat by Serena Williams in the 2007 Australian Open Final)

'I believe, at the end of the day, personally, my life is not about a banana.' (when asked at the press conference after the 2006U.S. open final about her father's illegal signaling and feeding her during the match).

(After Sharapova won her second round at the 2007 French Open)

Reporter: So do you feel when you get back on court after not hitting balls, do you actually feel stronger and faster as a result? Maria Sharapova : No, I feel terrible. I feel like a cow on ice. Especially on clay

'I’ve been playing against older and stronger competition my whole life. It has made me a better tennis player and able to play against this kind of level despite their strength and experience.'

'When I was working my way to the top of tennis, I didn't say I was number two, I said I wanted to be number one.'

'I am both an athlete and a businesswoman.'

'A great tennis career is something that a 15-year-old normally doesn’t have. I hope my example helps other teens believe they can accomplish things they never thought possible.'

'Maria is anxious to get people's attention off Anna and on to herself and she is not past a bit of a slam on her fellow Rusky. She told Sports Illustrated: "People seem to forget that Anna (Kournikova) isn't in the picture anymore. It's Maria-time now." '

"You know, one of the greatest things about being an athlete and, you know, making money is realising that you can help, you know, help the world, and especially children, who I absolutely love working with."

Professional Since 2001

Playing Style Right; Two-handed backhand. She is noted for having an excellent forehand, double-handed backhand and serves; particularly for the power, precision and placement of these shots

Singles

Career record: 264-63

Career titles: 16 (as of August 18,2007)

Highest ranking: No. 1 (August 22, 2005)

Doubles

Career record: 23-16

Career titles: 3(as of August 18, 2007)

Highest ranking: No.41 (June 14, 2004)

2 time Grand Slam Champion (Wimbledon 2004 & US Open 2006)

Won Wimbledon in only 2nd appearance there as 13th seed and was the 2nd youngestWimbledon champion in the open era.

Won US Open defeating the top 2 players (Mauresmo & Henin-Hardenne) and became the 8th player in history to do that in a Grand Slam.

Won WTA Championships in 2004 in her debut appearance

On August 22nd 2005, Maria became the 1st female player from Russia to become #1 at 18 years and 4 months and was the 5th youngest.

Won 1st WTA title at the Japan Open in October 2003 at 16 years 5 months and won doubles also in Tokyo.

Has 16 WTA singles title (2 GS's, 1 WTA Champs, 5 tier 1's, 2 tier 2's, 4 tier 3's & 1 tier 4)

3 doubles titles ( Tokyo 2003, Luxembourg 2003 & Birmingham 2004)

2007

WON: San Diego

FINAL: AUSTRALIAN OPEN & Birmingham

SEMI-FINAL: ROLAND GARROS, Tokyo & Istanbul

2006

WON: US OPEN, Indian Wells, San Diego, Zurich & Linz

FINAL: Dubai & Miami

SEMI-FINAL: AUSTRALIAN OPEN, WIMBLEDON, Tokyo, Birmingham, Los Angeles & WTA Championships

QUARTER-FINAL: Moscow

2005

WON: Tokyo, Doha & Birmingham

FINAL: Miami

SEMI-FINAL: AUSTRALIAN OPEN, WIMBLEDON, US OPEN, Indian Wells, Rome, Beijing & WTA Championships

QUARTER-FINAL: ROLAND GARROS, Los Angeles & Moscow

2004

WON: WIMBLEDON, Birmingham, Seoul, Tokyo (Outdoors) & WTA Championships

FINAL: Zurich

SEMI-FINAL: Memphis, Beijing & Philadelphia

QUARTER-FINAL: ROLAND GARROS & San Diego

2003

WON: Tokyo (Outdoors) & Quebec City

SEMI-FINAL: Birmingham & Luxembourg

QUARTER-FINAL: Shanghai

Awards:

Year Awards Description

2003 Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Newcomer of the Year

2004 WTA Player of the Year

WTA Most Improved Player of the Year

WTA Player Service

2005 ESPY Best Female Tennis Player

Named the country's best female player for the year by Russia's tennis federation

Master of Sports of Russia

Prix de Citron Roland Garros

In June 2005, Forbes magazine listed her as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, with annual earnings of U.S. $18 million

2006 Named the country's best female player for the year by Russia's tennis federation

2007 ESPY Best Female Tennis Player

Tennis - Singles Awards

Date Tournament Surface Opponent in the final Score

29-Sep-2003 Tokyo, Japan Hard A. Kapros 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(5)

27-Oct-2003 Quebec City, Canada Hard M. Sequera 6-2 retired

7-Jun-2004 Birmingham, UK Grass Tatiana Golovin 4-6, 6-2, 6-1

21-Jun-2004 Wimbledon, UK Grass Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4

27-Sep-2004 Seoul, South Korea Hard M. Domachowska 6-1, 6-1

4-Oct-2004 Tokyo, Japan Hard M. Washington 6-0, 6-1

8-Nov-2004 WTA Championships Hard Serena Williams 4-6, 6-2, 6-4

6-Feb-2005 Tokyo, Japan Carpet L. Davenport 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(5)

21-Feb-2005 Doha, Qatar Hard Alicia Molik 4-6, 6-1, 6-4

6-Jun-2005 Birmingham, UK Grass Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-1

18-Mar-2006 Indian Wells, USA Hard E. Dementieva 6-1, 6-2

6-Aug-2006 San Diego, USA Hard Kim Clijsters 7-5, 7-5

9-Sep-2006 U.S. Open, USA Hard J. Henin 6-4, 6-4

22-Oct-2006 Zurich, Switzerland Hard D. Hantuchova 6-1, 4-6, 6-3

29-Oct-2006 Linz, Austria Hard Nadia Petrova 7-5, 6-2

5-Aug-2007 San Diego, USA Hard Patty Schnyder 6-2, 3-6, 6-0

Tennis - Doubles Awards:

Year Tournament Partner Score

2003 Japan Open Tamarine Tanasugarn 7-6, 6-0

Luxembourg Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-1, 6-4

2004 Birmingham Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-1

Posed in a six-page bikini photoshoot spread in the 2006 issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, annual magazine that debuted on Valentine's Day, along with 25 scantily-clad supermodels

In April 2005, Sharapova was listed by People Magazine as among the 50 most beautiful celebrities in the world.

In 2006, Maxim magazine named Sharapova the hottest athlete in the world for the fourth consecutive year.

In a poll run by Britain's FHM magazine, Sharapova was voted the seventh most eligible bachelorette. Vosting took into consideration both "wealth and looks."

Has appeared on the cover of SI (first tennis player in over two years to do so)

ESPN The Magazine

Forbes (listed as one of the richest female athletes in the world)

Teen Vogue

Featured in People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People"

Vogue Italia

USA Today

Teen People's "20 Teens Who Will Change the World", W, YM

SPORT Magazine's "21 Athletes to Watch Out For in the 21st Century"

Some of the TV shows that Maria Sharapova appeard include:

NBC:

Today and Tonight Show

Entertainment Tonight

Live with Regis and Kelly

Inside Edition

ESPN:

Sportscenter and Cold Pizza

Fox and Friends

CBS:

Early Show and Craig Kilborn

MTV:

TRL

Access Hollywood

Tour's Magazine Show

Honda( After her Wimbledon victory in 2004, she signed a one-year deal with the automobile manufacturer, the deal was valid in Japan)

Land Rover - In April 2006, Sharapova signed a three-year deal to endorse their vehicles. One source with knowledge of the deal said it was worth approximately U.S. $2 million per year. Sharapova gets a free Land Rover Range Rover Sport in Florida and a chauffeured Land Rover Discovery wherever she wants.

Motorola - a fee, plus a mobile phone and all her mobile phone bills paid, plus a share of the income of downloads from HelloMoto/Maria

NIKE Inc (Sharapova has been known to wear somewhat eccentric or revealing outfits from Nike on court, best exemplified by a Breakfast at Tiffany's-inspired dress at the 2006 U.S. Open, which many admired for its use of sequins and futuristic neckline. She also has been featured in several Nike marketing campaigns, including one advertisement in 2006 that has her walking and riding through the streets of New York City and Arthur Ashe Stadium while everyone around her sings "I Feel Pretty" until she returns a serve with her trademark loud grunt)

PRINCE Sports Inc (Sharapova has committed to a "lifetime" of sponsoring the only tennis racket brand she's used as a pro. The endorsement deal will last until the end of her playing career and beyond)

CANON Inc(Sharapova promotes both their office and camera products)

TAG HEUER

LAND ROVER

COLGATE

SAMANTHA THAVASA

SPEEDMINTON

GATORADE(energy drink)

TROPICANA(orange juice)

TAG HEUER( In December 2004, she signed a deal with Swiss sports watch TAG Heuer to become their latest "sport and glamour" ambassador).