It wasn’t a tennis match or a brand launch that had people talking this time—Maria Sharapova made a rare public appearance at a luxury event in Italy, and fans were doing double takes.
The former tennis superstar showed up to the 60th anniversary of the Hotel Il Pellicano in Monte Argentario on Monday night looking almost unrecognizable compared to her days dominating Centre Court.
Dressed in a sheer black top and wide-legged trousers, with her once-blonde hair now long and brunette, Sharapova gave off a fresh, natural vibe that marked just how far she’s come from the spotlight of professional sports.
From Teenage Champion to Global Icon
Most fans still remember Sharapova for that unforgettable summer in 2004, when she shocked the tennis world by defeating Serena Williams at just 17 years old to win Wimbledon.
That win rocketed her into international stardom and kicked off a career that would see her capture all four Grand Slam titles—twice at the French Open—and make history as the first Russian woman to complete a career Grand Slam.
But that chapter of her life officially closed in 2020, when she decided to hang up her racket after years of battling shoulder injuries.
Living Life Beyond the Tennis Court
Since retiring, Sharapova has shifted her focus away from tennis and onto building a solid investment portfolio, involving herself in various business ventures and startups.
Her public appearances have become less frequent, and her style has taken on a more relaxed, down-to-earth tone.
At Monday’s elegant gathering, she was accompanied by her fiancé, British businessman Alex Gilkes, and mingled with other notable guests including Michel Martone.
Gone was the sporty, high-glam Sharapova of the early 2000s—this version is all about minimalist fashion and subtle elegance.
A Look Back at a Career of Highs and Lows
While Sharapova’s career brought countless highs, it wasn’t without controversy.
In 2016, she made headlines for a failed drug test after testing positive for meldonium, a substance that had been newly added to the banned list.
Though she explained that she had been taking it on her doctor’s recommendation for years, the incident led to a suspension.
Originally handed a two-year ban, the penalty was later reduced to 15 months.
She returned to the court in 2017 and even managed to pick up another title at the Tianjin Open later that year.
But nagging injuries, particularly with her shoulder, made it harder for her to keep up.
Eventually, she made the tough call to retire in 2020.
Saying Goodbye to a Lifetime in Tennis
In a heartfelt farewell posted on social media, Sharapova reflected on what the sport meant to her.
She admitted that stepping away from the only life she’d ever known wasn’t easy.
The courts, the fans, the victories, the setbacks—it was all part of her identity.
“How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known?” she wrote in her retirement letter.
“How do you walk away from the courts you’ve trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love—one that brought you tears and joy, a sport where you found a family?”
Her message struck a chord with many, capturing both her vulnerability and her deep appreciation for what tennis had given her.
A New Era for a Former Tennis Queen
Now 38, Maria Sharapova seems to be embracing her post-tennis life with grace and poise.
Whether she’s making investments or attending high-profile events in Italy, she’s showing that there’s plenty of life—and style—after Grand Slam glory.
And while a new generation of players like Barbora Krejcikova prepare to defend titles on the world stage, Sharapova’s legacy remains firmly intact—not just as a champion, but as a woman who reinvented herself when the game was over.