5-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova was truly one of the legends of women’s tennis. The former no.1 player from Russia retired from professional tennis in February 2020. Many remember her historic on-court rivalry with Serena Williams, which lasted many years. 

Born in Russia, Sharapova moved to the United States at a very early age to pursue her dream as a tennis player. In an interview recently, she talked about how she had to get out of Russia and how a legendary 18-time Grand Slam champion persuaded her father to move to America. 

Maria Sharapova talks about moving out of Russia

In the Never Stand Still podcast, Sharapova revealed her early life in Russia. She also talked about leaving Russia to move to Florida at the age of six with her father. According to Maria, Martina Navratilova, the 18-time Grand Slam Champion, talked to her father, which led them to leave Russia.

“Both of my parents are actually from Belarus, and because of the Chernobyl explosion and my mother was pregnant with me at the time, they moved to Siberia, so I was born there. At the age of two, we moved to Sochi, much more comfortable city, and that’s where I started playing tennis,” Sharapova stated.

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“At the age of five, I went to this little clinic in Moscow that was held by Martina Navratilova and she told my father we need to get out of Russia. These circumstances for an athlete are much better in the US, particularly in Florida, and my father never looked back. He talked to my mom. She took a huge chance and my father and I went to Florida on a plane without her,” Sharapova further revealed. 

Sharapova also talked about the decision to leave Russia changed her career. “In hindsight, I think those are the years that shape your story. I was so lucky that I did fall in love with this sport with hitting forehands and backhands,” Maria said. 

Sharapova’s biggest achievements

Sharapova’s first major breakthrough came after she defeated Serena Williams in the Wimbledon final in 2004. That win completely changed her career. After that, she won the other three Grand Slams as well in the following years. 

In 2006, she won the US Open title and two years later, she won her first Australian title as well. Only one title was missing from her career, and that was the French Open. In 2012, she won her first French Open crown and went on to clinch another title in 2014. On the whole, she won five Grand Slam titles and will always be remembered for her contributions to the sport.

Could Sharapova have more Grand Slam titles? Let us know in the comments.

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