Maria Sharapova’s name still carries weight far beyond the tennis court, but her life today is a mix of business ventures, family, and lingering questions about her abrupt exit from the sport. Whether you’re curious about her net worth, her son, or why she stopped playing, the details are often scattered across different sources. This article pulls together verified facts from official records to give you a clear picture of where she is now.
Grand Slam titles: 5 ·
Weeks at World No. 1: 21 ·
Career singles titles: 36 ·
Career win-loss record: 645-171 ·
Years as highest-paid female athlete: 11 ·
Career prize money: $38.8 million
Quick snapshot
- Has one son named Theodore, born July 2022 (People (celebrity news publisher))
- Engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes (People (celebrity news publisher))
- Retired in February 2020 due to chronic shoulder injury (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work))
- Five Grand Slam titles: Wimbledon, US Open, Australian Open, two French Opens (International Tennis Hall of Fame (official tennis hall of fame))
- Exact date of marriage to Alexander Gilkes (not yet married as of 2025)
- Whether she will return to tennis in any official capacity
- Exact details of her full investment portfolio (not all publicly disclosed)
- Exact returns from her business ventures (not publicly reported)
- Precise cause of her chronic shoulder condition beyond tendinitis
- 2004: Won Wimbledon at age 17, announced herself globally (International Tennis Hall of Fame (official tennis hall of fame))
- Continuing to grow her candy brand Sugarpova and invest in health/fitness startups (Nasdaq (stock exchange media))
Five Grand Slams, one doping ban, and a new life as an investor and mother — here are the key biographical markers that define Sharapova’s path.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Maria Yuryevna Sharapova |
| Date of birth | April 19, 1987 |
| Place of birth | Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned professional | 2001 |
| Retired | February 26, 2020 |
| Highest ranking | No. 1 (August 22, 2005) |
| Grand Slam titles | 5 |
| Children | 1 son |
| Partner | Alexander Gilkes (engaged) |
How many children does Maria Sharapova have?
Sharapova has one son, Theodore, who was born in July 2022. She announced the birth on social media with a simple photo, sharing that they had named their son Theodore (People (celebrity news publisher)). The child’s father is Alexander Gilkes, a British businessman.
Maria Sharapova’s son: name and birth date
- Theodore was born on July 1, 2022.
- His full name has not been publicly disclosed beyond Theodore.
Does Maria Sharapova have more than one child?
As of 2025, she has not announced any other children. There are no reports of a second pregnancy or additional children.
What does Maria Sharapova do today?
Since retiring, Sharapova has built a diversified career as an entrepreneur, investor, and media personality. She co-founded the premium candy brand Sugarpova and hosts a podcast called The Maria Sharapova Podcast (formerly Pretty Tough) (Nasdaq (stock exchange media)). She also invests in health and fitness startups, including Whoop and Tonal.
Maria Sharapova’s business ventures after tennis
- Sugarpova: A luxury candy line launched in 2013, now sold in multiple countries.
- Investor in Whoop (wearable fitness tech), Tonal (home gym), and Therabody (recovery devices).
- Brand ambassador for Nike, Evian, and Porsche.
IMG Academy (sports training and representation) lists her as an entrepreneur with ongoing endorsement deals.
Maria Sharapova’s podcast and media projects
Her podcast features conversations with athletes, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures. It has run for multiple seasons and is available on major platforms.
Is Maria Sharapova still involved in tennis?
She has not taken on a formal coaching or commentary role. However, she occasionally appears at Grand Slam events as a spectator and has said tennis remains a part of her identity.
Why did Maria Sharapova’s career end?
The end of her playing career was shaped by two major events: a 15-month doping ban and chronic shoulder injuries.
Doping ban and its impact
In March 2016, Sharapova announced she had tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open earlier that year. The substance had been added to WADA’s banned list on January 1, 2016. She said she had been taking it for health reasons and was unaware of the ban (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)). The International Tennis Federation initially imposed a two-year suspension, which was reduced to 15 months on appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. She returned to the tour in April 2017.
Injury and physical decline
After returning, Sharapova struggled with recurring injuries, especially in her right shoulder. She underwent multiple surgeries for chronic tendinitis (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)). She never regained her top-10 form and retired in February 2020.
Retirement announcement in 2020
On February 26, 2020, she posted a goodbye to tennis on Instagram, writing “Tennis—goodbye” and citing her chronic shoulder as the reason.
Is Maria Sharapova still married?
Sharapova is not married as of 2025. She is engaged to Alexander Gilkes, a British businessman and former auctioneer at Phillips. The engagement was announced in December 2020, but no wedding date has been set.
Maria Sharapova and Alexander Gilkes: engagement and wedding plans
The couple has a son together and continues to share a home in Los Angeles. Neither has publicly commented on wedding plans.
Relationship timeline since 2018
- First linked romantically in 2018.
- Engagement confirmed in December 2020.
- Son Theodore born July 2022.
Who is richer, Serena Williams or Maria Sharapova?
By estimated net worth, Serena Williams is wealthier, with estimates around $300 million compared to Sharapova’s $180 million (according to Forbes estimates, 2025). However, Sharapova held the title of highest-paid female athlete for 11 consecutive years (Just Women’s Sports (women’s sports media)), largely due to her endorsement earnings.
Maria Sharapova net worth vs Serena Williams net worth
Both women built their fortunes from prize money and endorsements. Williams has more Grand Slam titles (23), which has translated into higher career prize money. Sharapova’s business ventures add to her wealth but not enough to close the gap.
Sources of income: endorsements, businesses, prize money
- Sharapova: $38.8 million in prize money; major endorsements from Nike, Evian, Porsche; founder of Sugarpova.
- Williams: $94.8 million in prize money; endorsements from Nike, Gatorade, Delta; venture capital firm Serena Ventures.
IMG Academy (sports training and representation) lists Sharapova’s career prize money total.
What are the allegations against Maria Sharapova?
The main allegation is that she knowingly used the banned substance meldonium. Sharapova has always maintained she took it legally for a medical condition and was not aware it had been added to the prohibited list.
Meldonium ban: timeline and legal outcome
Positive test at 2016 Australian Open. The ITF banned her for two years; the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced it to 15 months. She served the ban from March 2016 to April 2017.
International Tennis Federation investigation and CAS appeal
The ITF accepted that she did not intend to cheat but held her responsible for the presence of the substance in her system. CAS agreed with the fault principle but found the two-year ban excessive.
What was Maria Sharapova’s illness?
Sharapova’s primary health issue was chronic tendinitis in her right shoulder, which required multiple surgeries. She also struggled with arm and back injuries throughout her career.
Chronic shoulder tendinitis and surgeries
She first had shoulder surgery in 2008 and later underwent additional procedures. The condition never fully resolved, affecting her serve and overall play.
Other injuries: stress fractures, elbow, arm
She withdrew from tournaments due to a stress fracture in her left forearm (2013) and elbow issues. These contributed to her retirement decision.
Timeline
- 1987 – Born in Nyagan, Russia.
- 2001 – Turned professional at age 14.
- 2004 – Won Wimbledon, first Grand Slam title (International Tennis Hall of Fame (official tennis hall of fame)).
- 2005 – Reached World No. 1 ranking for first time.
- 2006 – Won US Open.
- 2008 – Won Australian Open.
- 2012 – Won French Open; completed career Grand Slam.
- 2014 – Won French Open a second time (5th major).
- 2016 – Tested positive for meldonium at Australian Open; suspended (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
- 2017 – Returned to tour after 15-month ban.
- 2020 – Announced retirement from professional tennis.
- 2020 – Engaged to Alexander Gilkes.
- 2022 – Gave birth to son Theodore.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Maria Sharapova has one son named Theodore, born July 2022 (People (celebrity news publisher)).
- She is engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes.
- She was banned for 15 months for meldonium use (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work)).
- She retired in February 2020 due to chronic shoulder injury.
- Her net worth is estimated at $180 million (2025).
Unclear / disputed
- Exact date of marriage to Alexander Gilkes (not yet married as of 2025).
- Whether she will return to tennis in any official capacity.
- Exact details of her investment portfolio (not all publicly disclosed).
- Exact returns from her business ventures.
- Whether she still uses meldonium or similar supplements.
In her own words
I did fail the test and I take full responsibility for it.
Maria Sharapova, discussing her doping ban (Encyclopaedia Britannica (reference work))
Tennis—goodbye.
Maria Sharapova, retirement post on Instagram, February 2020 (Instagram (social media platform))
I’ve always been a competitive person, and now I channel that into building businesses.
Maria Sharapova, interview with Nasdaq (stock exchange media)
Sharapova’s journey from teenage Wimbledon champion to banned player to mother and investor is a rare arc in elite sports. For tennis fans in the U.S. who watched her rise, the takeaway is clear: her legacy extends beyond the court into candy aisles and fitness apps, but the doping case will always shadow her name.
For more on her personal life, including details about Alexander Gilkes, her fiancé, the article provides a comprehensive look at their relationship.
Frequently asked questions
How many Grand Slams did Maria Sharapova win?
She won five: Wimbledon (2004), US Open (2006), Australian Open (2008), and French Open (2012, 2014) (International Tennis Hall of Fame).
What was Maria Sharapova’s highest ranking?
World No. 1, first reached on August 22, 2005 (IMG Academy).
What is Maria Sharapova’s height?
6 ft 2 in (188 cm) (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
How old is Maria Sharapova?
She was born April 19, 1987, making her 38 as of 2025.
Where was Maria Sharapova born?
Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (Encyclopaedia Britannica).
Is Maria Sharapova still playing tennis?
No, she retired in February 2020.
Which brands does Maria Sharapova endorse?
She has endorsed Nike, Evian, Porsche, and her own Sugarpova brand (IMG Academy).
Did Maria Sharapova win an Olympic medal?
Yes, she won a silver medal in women’s singles at the 2012 London Olympics (IMG Academy).
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Liam O'Brien covers Australian politics and public affairs for Australian News Desk.