'Please forgive me': Maria Sharapova stuns tennis world with sudden retirement
Maria Sharapova, the Russian five-time Grand Slam champion who became one of the highest-paid sportswomen in the world, has announced the end of her career at the age of 32.
Siberia-born Sharapova, whose Wimbledon victory over Serena Williams in 2004, aged 17, propelled her to superstardom and riches, broke the news in an article for magazine Vanity Fair.
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"I'm new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis -I'm saying goodbye," Sharapova, whose rags to riches story captivated the sporting world but turned sour when she was banned for doping, wrote in a farewell article.
Her decision to quit is hardly a major surprise as she has been a pale imitation of her former self since returning in 2017 from the 15-month ban for taking prohibited heart drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
The former world No.1 has played only two matches this year, losing in the first round of the Australian Open, with her ranking sliding to 373.
"Looking back now, I realise that tennis has been my mountain. My path has been filled with valleys and detours, but the views from its peak were incredible," she said.
"After 28 years and five grand slam titles, though, I'm ready to scale another mountain, to compete on a different type of terrain."
Tennis showed me the world—and it showed me what I was made of. It’s how I tested myself and how I measured my growth. And so in whatever I might choose for my next chapter, my next mountain, I’ll still be pushing. I’ll still be climbing. I’ll still be growing. pic.twitter.com/kkOiJmXuln
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) February 26, 2020
Tennis world reacts to Sharapova bomnbshell
Sharapova, whose trademarks were her ferocious intensity and pounding groundstrokes, completed her career grand slam when she won the French Open in 2012.
She also won at Roland Garros again in 2014, her last major title.
She became the first Russian woman to reach number one in the rankings in 2005 and claimed the US Open title in 2006. She also won the Australian Open in 2008.
"It's a shame, of course, because Maria was a role model for everyone," Shamil Tarpischev, president of Russia's Tennis Federation, told RIA news agency.
"Many girls compared themselves to her. She was number one for the popularisation of Russian tennis. Her image was huge."
WTA Tour chairman Steve Simon added: "She will be greatly missed by her millions of fans around the world."
Maria Sharapova was probably the last player to emerge on the WTA who made winning a constant habit. Between her origins, mentality, what she eked out of a limited game and her return from shoulder surgery to two Roland Garros titles, that is an all-time great career.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) February 26, 2020
Despite all the controversies about her, Maria Sharapova has probably been the most popular and iconic female tennis player ever, and a champion of course.
That said, she had basically been retired for two years now, so not to be surprised.
Happy retirement Maria! pic.twitter.com/uzKbGFGL0y— Simone Curto (@CurtoSimone) February 26, 2020
I personally will miss Maria Sharapova on Tour a lot. She's always been the utmost professional with media. I was lucky through the years to see the funny side of her. She could be hilarious. And so smart. One of a kind. Someone who'll strive in everything she puts her mind to.
— Carole Bouchard 💜💛 (@carole_bouchard) February 26, 2020
Farewell to one of the greatest competitors in the history of the sport. @MariaSharapova pic.twitter.com/6wRpBaB7gx
— Nike (@Nike) February 26, 2020
