Maria Sharapova is a former Russian professional tennis player, born on April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, now part of Russia.
She is of Russian ethnicity, with possible Belarusian ancestry through her parents, Yelena Petrovna (Pomyatinskaya) and Yuri Vicktorovich Sharapov, who moved from Gomel, Belarus, to Siberia following the Chornobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.
Maria Sharapova shines in a bold yellow suit paired with white strappy heels as she presents Max Verstappen with the Pirelli Pole Position Award at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix on May 27, 2023 (Credit: Cristiano Barni / Shutterstock)
Sharapova began playing tennis at age four and quickly showed a natural talent. At age six, she moved to the United States to train at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida.
“Both of my parents are actually from Belarus, and because of the Chornobyl explosion and my mother was pregnant with me at the time, they moved to Siberia, so I was born there. At the age of two, we moved to Sochi, a much more comfortable city, and that’s where I started playing tennis,” Sharapova said in an interview on the Never Stand Still podcast.
“At the age of five, I went to this little clinic in Moscow that was held by Martina Navratilova, and she told my father we need to get out of Russia. These circumstances for an athlete are much better in the US, particularly in Florida, and my father never looked back. He talked to my mom. She took a huge chance, and my father and I went to Florida on a plane without her,” Sharapova added.
“In hindsight, I think those are the years that shape your story. I was so lucky that I did fall in love with this sport with hitting forehands and backhands,” Maria said.
Does Maria Sharapova have American citizenship?
At 6, Maria Sharapova attended a tennis school in Russia before being suggested to move to the United States and train under renowned coach Nick Bollettieri. This led her to relocate to Florida in 1994.
Despite living in the US, Sharapova never pursued American citizenship. She explained that her decision was influenced by her family environment, rich Russian culture, and the mentality of never giving up. She attributed her success and identity to her Russian roots.
Surely I would have taken American citizenship if I really wanted it, but in reality I have never asked myself this problem, talking to my family and my team.
In the end it is a matter of the family environment and the rich culture one has. I am a life experience that I think back to and in general I was shaped according to the Russian culture when I was little, I am not referring only to the nation but also to the mentality and tenacity, I acquired the attitude of never giving up and for this reason I have decided to stay alone with Russian citizenship.”
Sharapova turned professional in 2001 and quickly became one of the world’s top players. She won her first Grand Slam singles title at the 2004 Wimbledon Championships and five more throughout her career. The Russian player also won the Olympic silver medal in singles at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Maria Sharapova’s Nike tennis shoes on display at the Rafa Nadal Museum and Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre in Costa Mujeres, Mexico (Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock)
Sharapova retired from professional tennis in 2020, but she remains a popular figure in sports and fashion and an inspiration to many young women around the world.
The astonishingly tall tennis player was one of the game’s leading contenders in the early 21st century and reportedly earned $300 million in her tennis career.
Maria Sharapova made a stylish appearance at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscars party in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday, March 12, donning an Emilia Wickstead outfit that showcased her impeccable fashion sense (Credit: Jeffrey Mayer / JTMPhotos / Media Punch / INSTARimages / Cover Images)
In addition to her remarkable sports career, Sharapova has also made a name for herself in the fashion world, frequently appearing on red carpets in show-stopping ensembles.
Maria Sharapova’s Stunning ESPY Awards Look: Unveiling the Elegance of Alexander McQueen Footwear
In July 2011, Maria Sharapova and her well-toned legs and hot feet at the 2011 ESPY Awards made us turn green with envy:
Maria Sharapova’s soft blonde locks and minimal makeup highlight her glowing complexion, while her subtle eye makeup enhances her striking hazel eyes at the 2011 ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles on July 13, 2011 (Credit: Apega / WENN)
But, of course, how envious we were of her tennis-sculpted form just doesn’t compare to how envious we were of her SHOES.
Maria Sharapova showing off her hot legs in an Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011 feather-embellished navy halter dress (Credit: Apega / WENN)
Maria Sharapova teamed her Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011 feather-embellished navy halter dress with an exquisitely beaded sandal from the same collection.
The navy with the gold is a fantastic color combination, and all the rich textures make for one regal-looking shoe. Before you all scramble off in search of these sandals, let me tell you that these aren’t available online.
Maria Sharapova’s chic black pedicure perfectly complements her stunning embellished gold sandals (Credit: Apega / WENN)