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Maria Sharapova had a glittering tennis career filled with many glorious moments. Early on in her career, she moved to the United States along with her father to excel in the sport. The move bore fruit as she went on to win an incredible five Grand Slam titles during her illustrious career.

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The Russian star has been a good friend of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. During her playing days, she even practiced with them on the tennis court. Additionally, she has also been seen in commercials with Rafa and Djoker.

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Recently, a video surfaced of the trio enjoying a good time in Abu Dhabi.

Maria Sharapova meets Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

In December 2019, the three got together to promote an event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Further, they welcomed each other warmly and were all smiles during their meeting. Subsequently, they visited the beach where they competed in a challenge.

WATCH THIS STORY: Maria Sharapova’s best commercials

Interestingly, they had to aim the tennis balls with their forehand shots. After the challenge, they went golfing and were seemingly in a cheerful mood on a golf cart. Sharapova had also shared their picture on her official Instagram handle.

The Siberian Siren retired after the Australian Open in 2020 to focus on her business ventures. She has carved a niche for herself in the business world. The 35-year-old is the founder of businesses like Sugarpova, which is a premium candy brand.

Talking about her desire to succeed as a businesswoman, she says, “I have always been a curious person, and I think this natural desire to learn and interest in trying new things is what really pushes me to take on new challenges.”

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On the other hand, Nadal and Djokovic are still dominating men’s tennis. Nadal in particular has had a dream start to this season. He has won three titles this year and is looking in prime form. Both the champions are going strong at the ongoing Madrid Open and might potentially face off in the semifinals of the tournament.

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Vatsal Shah

3,705 Articles

Vatsal Shah is a tennis journalist at EssentiallySports, covering ATP and WTA storylines from the ES Trends Desk since 2023. He delivers breaking insights on major tournaments and player arcs, decoding tactical shifts and viral moments into accessible takeaways for fans worldwide. His coverage of Taylor Townsend’s Dubai title win stood out for capturing both the emotional significance of her victory and the context of her comeback. Drawing on his background as a recreational player, Vatsal adds a courtside perspective to his reporting, bringing depth and authenticity to Grand Slam coverage for the ES News Center. By combining sharp observation with a clear, engaging writing style, he ensures that key tennis moments are not only reported but truly understood. Fluent in English, French, and German, as well as three Indian languages, Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi, Vatsal connects with a diverse global readership. With his mix of linguistic reach, analytical insight, and passion for the sport, he is carving a niche as a fresh, incisive voice in tennis journalism.

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