Sacrifices are often a part of a success story. And who better to ask than the former World Number 1, Maria Sharapova? The Russian tennis beauty moved to the United States as a young tennis star, along with her father. She left everything behind to pursue her tennis ambitions. The move proved to be successful, as Sharapova became one of the legends of the game. During her illustrious career, she won five Grand Slam titles. Recently, Sharapova reflected on a saddening career moment.

She moved to the United States when she was just 5. Her mother had to stay back owing to visa issues. Here’s what Sharapova said about the difficult move.

Maria Sharapova opens up about a big sacrifice

Recently, the former World Number 1 was involved in the ‘Armchair Expert’ with Dax Shepard podcast where she talked about various subjects – from her tennis career to her business ventures. During the talk, she also revealed the sacrifices she made early on in her career.

Talking about her mother’s absence after moving to the US, Maria Sharapova said, “My mom didn’t join me for the first two years. I didn’t see her for two years. It’s very interesting looking back at it because now I’m a mother of a sixteen-month-old and I cannot imagine that kind of separation.”

Further, she went on to add, “Visas were so difficult to get at that time as they are now by the way. It just puts so much emphasis on the fact that what an amazing gift that her daughter had a chance to pursue that sport in the United States.”

Even though success stories are perceived as very grand, they almost always include certain elements of loss and pain. Life wasn’t easy for Sharapova when she moved to America. She once revealed her early struggles after moving to a new country.

Maria Sharapova braced several challenges

During an interview, the Russian tennis beauty got candid about the problems she faced when moving to the United States. She and her father landed at the airport in the middle of the night in Miami.

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“We really didn’t know, never been there before, or didn’t have any family or friends to go to,” Sharapova said. Further, she added, “We found ourselves knocking on the door of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, and they told us to come back in the morning. When you are going to an academy like that, you better come with a lot of cash..”

Maria Sharapova is a perfect example of how hard work and determination can lead you to success. She braced every challenge that came her way and focused on her end goal, which led her to the path of glory.

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