“Have to Search Within Yourself”: Maria Sharapova Reveals When is the Right Time to Quit

Five-time former Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has opened up on when is the right time for a professional tennis player to call it quits.

In an interview with Inc., the former Russian revealed that she wrestled with the question plenty of times before retirement.

Listening to one’s body and mind important, says Maria Sharapova

“(It is) a question that I faced the last few months before announcing my retirement. You have to search within yourself and what you’re feeling, what your body is telling you and also what your mind is telling you,” Sharapova said.

She said that a player can always turn to his family and friends for advice but the decision ultimately rests with the player himself.

“You can have influences and people that are close to you to guide you to the right decision. But ultimately, you drive your career and you have to be comfortable with making those decisions,” Sharapova said.

She said during her playing days she was fully committed to her game but realized at the fag end of her career that it was, perhaps, time to shift to other areas of interest.

“It’s a commitment when you say yes to something”: Sharapova

“I know that time is precious and it’s valuable and it’s a commitment when you say yes to something, you’re committed to it a hundred percent. I was driven by that motto.

“You have a call, you have practice, you have to show up, all of you,” the two-time French Open winner said.

She added while she would drag herself to practice and training; she realized that she had lost the urge to compete, and that was when she knew it was time to hang up her racquet for good. 

Sharapova says she lost touch with competing

“And I realized that I was showing up for my body and trying to get my body to a good enough, strong enough place that I almost lost touch (with) competing and competition.

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“I was always a short step away from getting there but my body just didn’t allow me to (let) loose, just compete and enjoy it,” Sharapova said.

“It became a vigorous process, a tough process to handle next to my team members and I realized there’s a lot of value in that time and I could apply to so many other, better, more meaningful ways.

“For so many years, that was the sport. And I just believed and committed to applying (it) to other things in my life,” said the 2004 Wimbledon champion.

After retirement, she branched out as a successful entrepreneur and has a candy line to her name called ‘Sugarpova’. She also dabbles in fashion and interior designing.