February 26, 2020

In pictures: Celebrating Maria Sharapova’s champion career

Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova has announced her retirement from tennis - take a look back at her stellar career, from her first Grand Slam crown to her final WTA title.

Maria Sharapova burst onto the scene in 2003, winning her first WTA title at the Japan Open at the age of 16 and finishing the season as WTA Newcomer of the Year. — 01 /11

Maria Sharapova burst onto the scene in 2003, winning her first WTA title at the Japan Open at the age of 16 and finishing the season as WTA Newcomer of the Year.

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Just one year later, Sharapova rose to new heights at Wimbledon, where she stunned top seed and defending champion Serena Williams to win her first Grand Slam singles title. — 02 /11

Just one year later, Sharapova rose to new heights at Wimbledon, where she stunned top seed and defending champion Serena Williams to win her first Grand Slam singles title.

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She capped off her stellar 2004 season with a win at the WTA Finals in Los Angeles, lifting the trophy in her debut. — 03 /11

She capped off her stellar 2004 season with a win at the WTA Finals in Los Angeles, lifting the trophy in her debut.

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Sharapova became the first Russian player to hold the WTA World No.1 ranking, rising to the top spot on August 22, 2005 at the age of 18. — 04 /11

Sharapova became the first Russian player to hold the WTA World No.1 ranking, rising to the top spot on August 22, 2005 at the age of 18.

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In 2006, Sharapova was crowned US Open champion, defeating the No.1 and No.2 seeds Amélie Mauresmo and Justine Henin en route to her second Grand Slam title. — 05 /11

In 2006, Sharapova was crowned US Open champion, defeating the No.1 and No.2 seeds Amélie Mauresmo and Justine Henin en route to her second Grand Slam title.

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Sharapova was named Forbes’ highest-paid female athlete in the world in 2006, a list she would top for 10 consecutive years. — 06 /11

Sharapova was named Forbes’ highest-paid female athlete in the world in 2006, a list she would top for 10 consecutive years.

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Since 2007, Sharapova has been a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, working with the Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme. — 07 /11

Since 2007, Sharapova has been a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, working with the Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme.

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Sharapova was also a part of Russia’s 2008 Fed Cup winning squad, winning two rubbers against Israel to send them into the semifinals. — 08 /11

Sharapova was also a part of Russia’s 2008 Fed Cup winning squad, winning two rubbers against Israel to send them into the semifinals.

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She entered the history books in 2012, lifting the French Open trophy to become the 10th woman to complete a career Grand Slam. — 09 /11

She entered the history books in 2012, lifting the French Open trophy to become the 10th woman to complete a career Grand Slam.

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The Russian added an Olympic silver medal to her trophy cabinet in 2012 at the Summer Games in London, where she was also her country’s flag bearer in the opening ceremony. — 10 /11

The Russian added an Olympic silver medal to her trophy cabinet in 2012 at the Summer Games in London, where she was also her country’s flag bearer in the opening ceremony.

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Sharapova won her 36th and final WTA trophy in 2017, winning the Tianjin Open final against Aryna Sabalenka. She announced her retirement from tennis on February 26, 2020. — 11 /11

Sharapova won her 36th and final WTA trophy in 2017, winning the Tianjin Open final against Aryna Sabalenka. She announced her retirement from tennis on February 26, 2020.

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