As the dust settles on her retirement from tennis, Maria Sharapova gave an interview to World Team Tennis. Talking to Daniela Hantuchova, Maria expressed her warm feelings towards the event and how it has helped her in her career.

Sharapova’s retirement announcement came out of the blue. She was struggling with injuries, true, but she has been a part of the WTA tour for so long that the announcement was jarring. A career spanning almost 20 years provided us, the fans, with a ton of entertainment.

Maria Sharapova talks to Hantuchova

Daniela Hantuchova, a former player herself, asked Sharapova what the World Team Tennis event meant to her.

“I’ve been part of this event ever since I was a little girl, ever since I won major titles. It was the event that gave me the experience I needed at that age. I would travel from city to city, competing every single night. I remember leaving World Team Tennis and going on to win a smaller WTA event and it was really the beginning of my career.”

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The Russian even made a little quip about her retirement as she apologized to the fans for not playing.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunities to still be able to come out on the courts. Sorry, I’m not playing this evening, but for a good reason. Great memories to be back here.”

As Sharapova concluded her monologue, Hantuchova mentioned the duo had played against one another in the event. The pair shared a laugh as Sharapova responded by asking “did you beat me?”

No, Daniela did not beat her at the World Team Tennis event. As she mentions herself, Daniela beat Sharapova just once in her career.

Maria Sharapova may have retired from professional tennis, but her public life is far from over. An icon across the globe, Maria will continue heading her business ventures, especially her personal brand of candy, Sugarpova. And just as she did in tennis, she will pursue perfection in the world of business too.

The Russian will be a huge miss on the tennis scene. The trademark grunting, the chasing of lost causes, the rituals before each point; these were all sights that we loved to see. Alas, now we have to settle for seeing Maria with candy in her hand, rather than a racket.