Maria Sharapova on Returning to Tennis After Motherhood
Maria Sharapova, the former World No. 1 in tennis, has expressed her reservations about returning to the sport after becoming a mother. In a recent podcast conversation with fellow tennis star Andrea Petkovic on The Rennae Stubbs Podcast, Sharapova shared her thoughts on the trend of young mothers returning to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour.
Sharapova, who welcomed her first child, a son, with her fiancé Alexander Gilkes in July of the current year, stated that she couldn’t envision herself making a comeback to tennis after giving birth.
In the conversation, Petkovic discussed the increasing number of young mothers who have made successful returns to the WTA Tour and even achieved significant victories. Notable examples include Elina Svitolina, who made a quick return to the Tour after giving birth to her daughter Skai, and Caroline Wozniacki, a former World No. 1 like Sharapova, who returned to tennis in Montreal and reached the fourth round of the US Open.
However, Sharapova expressed her admiration for these athletes but admitted that she didn’t see herself following a similar path. She marveled at how these mothers managed to balance motherhood and competitive tennis at the highest level.
The 2020 US Open marked a historic moment as three mothers—Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, and Tsvetana Pironkova—reached the quarterfinals simultaneously for the first time in the Open Era.
While Sharapova may not be considering a return to tennis, she remains deeply interested in the sport, particularly its business side. She has always enjoyed learning about athletes’ backgrounds and the hard work they put in to achieve success.
Sharapova compared her fascination with athletes’ journeys to her interest in the business world. She views both as puzzles, where various pieces must align for success. She appreciates the effort athletes put into their careers and finds parallels in the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and businesspeople.
The former tennis superstar is comfortable stepping back from the spotlight and analyzing the mechanics of sports, whether on or off the stadium court. She enjoys observing how athletes practice and put in the less glamorous work necessary to excel in their respective fields.
While Sharapova may have retired from competitive tennis, her love for the sport and her continued engagement with its various aspects demonstrate her enduring passion for athletics and her curiosity about the business world.
In conclusion, Maria Sharapova, despite being a new mother, doesn’t see herself returning to competitive tennis, unlike some of her peers. However, she maintains a deep interest in the sport’s business side and appreciates the dedication and hard work of athletes and businesspeople alike, making her a thoughtful observer of both worlds.
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By- Sahiba Suri