Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{short description|Russian tennis player}}
{{Redirect|Sharapova|other uses|Sharapov (surname)}}
{{Eastern Slavic name|Yuryevna|Sharapova}}
{{Infobox tennis biography
| name = Maria Sharapova
| image = Sharapova at the Mutua Madrid Open 2015.jpg
| caption = Sharapova at the [[2015 Mutua Madrid Open]]
| fullname = Maria Yuryevna<br />Sharapova
| native_name = Мария Юрьевна Шарапова
| country = {{RUS}}
| residence = [[Bradenton]], Florida, U.S.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|04|19}}
| birth_place = [[Nyagan]], [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], Soviet Union
| height = <!-- UNSOURCED CHANGES TO THIS WILL BE REMOVED -->{{height|m=1.88}}<ref name="wtatennis">{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499/title/maria-sharapova|work=[[Women's Tennis Association]]|accessdate=September 1, 2015}}</ref>
| coach =
| turnedpro = April 19, 2001<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| retired = February 26, 2020
| plays = Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
| careerprizemoney = $38,703,609<ref>{{cite web|title=Career Prize Money Leaders|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/rankings/All_Career_Prize_Money.pdf|work=[[Women's Tennis Association]]|accessdate=September 1, 2015}}</ref> ([[WTA Tour records#WTA career prize money leaders|3rd in all-time rankings]])
| website = [http://www.mariasharapova.com/ mariasharapova.com]
| singlesrecord = {{tennis record|won=645|lost=171}}<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| singlestitles = 36 WTA, 4 ITF
| highestsinglesranking = [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players|No. '''1''']] (August 22, 2005)<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| AustralianOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2008 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2008]])
| FrenchOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2012 French Open – Women's Singles|2012]], [[2014 French Open – Women's Singles|2014]])
| Wimbledonresult = '''W''' ([[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2004]])
| USOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2006 US Open – Women's Singles|2006]])
| Othertournaments = yes
| WTAChampionshipsresult = '''W''' ([[2004 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2004]])
| doublesrecord = 23–17 (57.5%)<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| doublestitles = 3 WTA<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| highestdoublesranking = No. 41 (June 14, 2004)<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| AustralianOpenDoublesresult = 2R ([[2003 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2003]], [[2004 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2004]])
| USOpenDoublesresult = 2R ([[2003 US Open – Women's Doubles|2003]])
| Mixed = yes
| mixedrecord = 2–1 (66.7%)
| mixedtitles = 0
| USOpenMixedresult = QF ([[2004 US Open – Mixed Doubles|2004]])
| Team = yes
| FedCupresult = '''W''' ([[2008 Fed Cup World Group|2008]])
| medaltemplates-expand = yes
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCountry|{{RUS}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]]|[[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics|Singles]]}}
| updated = 26 February 2020
}}
[[File:Maria Sharapova signature.png|thumb|Maria Sharapova's signature]]
'''Maria Yuryevna Sharapova''' ({{lang-rus|Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова|p=mɐˈrʲijə ˈjʉrʲjɪvnə ʂɐˈrapəvə|a=Maria_sharapova.ogg}}; born April 19, 1987) is a former professional [[tennis]] player. Although she played under the banner of Russia with the [[Women's Tennis Association]] (WTA), she has lived in and been a [[United States]] [[Permanent residence (United States)|permanent resident]] since 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/8728691/US-Open-2011-Elena-Baltacha-warns-Heather-Watson-of-the-extreme-intensity-of-Maria-Sharapova.html |title=US Open 2011: Elena Baltacha warns Heather Watson of the extreme intensity of Maria Sharapova|work=The Telegraph| first =Simon | last = Briggs|date=August 28, 2013|accessdate= May 4, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova competed on the WTA tour since 2001 and had been ranked [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|world No. 1]] in singles by the WTA on five separate occasions, for a total of 21 weeks. She is one of ten women, and the only Russian, to hold the [[Grand Slam (tennis)#Career Grand Slam|career Grand Slam]]. She is also an [[Olympic medalist]], having won a [[Olympic silver medal|silver]] medal in [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's singles|women's singles]] at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in [[London]]. Sharapova achieved a rare level of longevity in tennis, with several tennis pundits and former players calling Sharapova one of tennis's best competitors.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZUeNoPV-F0 | title= McEnroe Insights: Maria Sharapova|publisher=YouTube|work=3News|date=January 26, 2011|accessdate=January 11, 2015}}</ref>
Sharapova became the world No. 1 for the first time on August 22, 2005, at the age of 18, becoming the first Russian female tennis player to top the singles rankings, and last held the ranking for a fifth time for four weeks from June 11, 2012, to July 8, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/Notes&Netcords/2012/july16.pdf|title=Notes& Netcords|date=July 16, 2012|publisher=WTA|accessdate=May 19, 2013|format=PDF|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106223920/http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/Notes%26Netcords/2012/july16.pdf|archivedate=January 6, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Maria-Sharapova-reclaims-world-number-one-ranking/tabid/415/articleID/257186/Default.aspx|title=Maria Sharapova reclaims world number one ranking|publisher=MediaWorks TV|work=3News|date=June 8, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728161149/http://www.3news.co.nz/Maria-Sharapova-reclaims-world-number-one-ranking/tabid/415/articleID/257186/Default.aspx|archive-date=July 28, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> She won five [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] titles — two at the [[French Open]] and one each at the [[Australian Open]], [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], and the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]], winning 36 titles in total, including the year-ending [[WTA Finals]] in her debut in 2004. She also won three doubles titles.
Sharapova has been featured in a number of modeling assignments, including a feature in the ''[[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue]]''. She has appeared in many advertisements, including those for Nike, Prince, and Canon, and has been the face of several [[fashion house]]s, most notably [[Cole Haan]]. Since February 2007, she has been a [[UNDP Goodwill Ambassador|United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador]], concerned specifically with the [[Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme]]. In June 2011, she was named one of the "30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future" by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''<ref>{{cite news|title=30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future – Maria Sharapova|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2079150_2079148_2079118,00.html|work=[[Time Magazine|Time]]|accessdate=August 19, 2011|author=William Lee Adams|date=June 22, 2011}}</ref> and in March 2012 was named one of the "[[100 Greatest of All Time]]" by [[Tennis Channel]]. According to [[Forbes]], she has been named highest-paid female athlete in the world for 11 consecutive years and earned {{USD}}285 million (including prize money) since she turned pro in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2015/08/12/the-worlds-highest-paid-female-athletes-2015/#2782d7397b11|title=The World's Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2015|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=August 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2016/03/08/how-maria-sharapova-earned-285-mill-during-her-tennis-career/#1ddef49766fd|title=How Maria Sharapova Earned $285 Million During Her Tennis Career|publisher=Forbes|author=Kurt Badenhausen|accessdate=March 8, 2016}}</ref> In 2018, she launched a new programme to mentor women entrepreneurs.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/daniellerossingh/2018/03/08/maria-sharapova-to-mentor-women-business-owners/#578584bd00de |title=Maria Sharapova To Mentor Women Business Owners|last= Rossingh|first= Danielle|work= Forbes|access-date= 2018-03-11}}</ref>
In March 2016, Sharapova revealed she had failed a [[drug test]] at the [[2016 Australian Open]]. She had tested positive for [[meldonium]], a substance that had been banned (effective January 1, 2016) by the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA). On June 8, 2016, she was suspended from playing tennis for two years by the [[International Tennis Federation]] (ITF).<ref>{{cite news|title= Maria Sharapova failed drugs test at Australian Open|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35750285 |publisher=BBC|date=March 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name="ITF prov">{{cite web |url= http://www.itftennis.com/news/225826.aspx |title=Press release: Tennis Anti-Doping Programme statement regarding Maria Sharapova |publisher= International Tennis Federation |date=March 7, 2016 |accessdate= March 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Maria Sharapova banned for two years for failed drugs test but will appeal|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36482288|publisher=BBC|date= June 8, 2016}}</ref> On October 4, 2016, the suspension was reduced to 15 months, starting from the date of the failed test, as the Court of Arbitration for Sports found that she had committed "no significant fault" and that she had taken the substance "based on a doctor's recommendation… with good faith belief that it was appropriate and compliant with the relevant rules".<ref name="WTATennis.com">{{cite web |url= http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5949604/title/cas-reduce-sharapova-suspension-to-15-months |title=CAS Reduce Sharapova Suspension to 15 Months |publisher=WTATennis |accessdate= October 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name="edition.cnn.com">{{cite web |url= http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/04/tennis/tennis-sharapova-cas-drugs/ |title=Maria Sharapova's drugs ban cut to 15 months on appeal|publisher=CCN|accessdate= October 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name="WTATennis">{{cite web|url= http://www.wtatennis.com/content/inside-maria-sharapovas-cas-appeal-decision-reduce-ban-0 |title= Everything you need to know about Maria Sharapova's appeal, what the CAS found, and when the former No. 1 can return to the tour |publisher= Wtatennis |accessdate=October 4, 2016}}</ref> She returned to the [[WTA Tour]] on April 26, 2017 at the [[2017 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]].
==Early life==
Maria Sharapova was born on 19 April 1987, in [[Nyagan]], [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], Soviet Union. Her parents, Yuri Sharapov and Yelena, are from [[Gomel]], [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Byelorussian SSR]]. Concerned about the regional effects of the 1986 [[Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl nuclear accident]], they left their homeland shortly before Maria was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2309886/Sharapova-still-haunted-by-Chernobyl.html|title=Sharapova still haunted by Chernobyl|publisher=The Telegraph|date=March 27, 2007|accessdate=February 26, 2020|author=Mark Hodgkinson}}</ref><ref name="ITH_2007_08_13">{{cite web|url=http://lenta.ru/lib/14164248/|publisher=[[Lenta.ru]]|script-title=ru:Шарапова, Мария|trans-title=Sharapova, Maria|language=Russian|accessdate=April 29, 2013}}</ref>
===Introduction to tennis===
In 1989, when Sharapova was three, the family moved to [[Sochi]], [[Krasnodar Krai]], Russia. She hit her first tennis ball when she was 4 years old. Her father, Yuri, befriended Aleksandr Kafelnikov, whose son [[Yevgeny Kafelnikov|Yevgeny]] would go on to win two Grand Slam singles titles and become Russia's first world No. 1 ranked tennis player. Aleksandr gave Sharapova her first tennis racquet in 1991 when she was four, whereupon she began practicing regularly with her father at a local park.<ref name="times">{{cite news|author=Paul Kimmage|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article3177376.ece|title=The Big Interview: Maria Sharapova|work=[[The Times]]|date=January 13, 2008|accessdate=July 23, 2008|location=London}}</ref> Maria took her first tennis lessons with veteran Russian coach Yuri Yutkin, who was instantly impressed when he saw her play, noting her "exceptional [[hand-eye coordination]]".<ref name="Article">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-11732071-masha-was-a-star-at-four.do |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707185603/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-11732071-masha-was-a-star-at-four.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |author=Will Stewart |work=London Evening Standard |location=UK |title='Masha' was a star at four |date=July 2, 2004 |accessdate=June 12, 2010 |df= }}</ref>
===Start of professional training===
In 1993, at the age of six, Sharapova attended a tennis clinic in Moscow run by [[Martina Navratilova]], who recommended professional training at the [[IMG Academy]] in [[Bradenton, Florida]], which had previously trained players such as [[Andre Agassi]], [[Monica Seles]], and [[Anna Kournikova]].<ref name="times"/> With money tight, Yuri Sharapov borrowed the sum that would enable him and his daughter, neither of whom could speak English, to travel to the United States of America, which they finally did in 1994.<ref name="Article" /> Visa restrictions prevented Sharapova's mother from joining them for two years.<ref name="ITH_2007_08_13"/> Arriving in Florida with savings of US$700,<ref name="Article" /> Sharapova's father took various low-paying jobs, to fund her lessons until she was old enough to be admitted to the academy. Before she entered the IMG business, she trained with Rick Macci, in the Rick Macci Tennis Academy. She then was offered a deal from IMG which forced her to change academies. Originally, she did train with Rick Macci, but after the deal with IMG, she could not see Rick Macci anymore. In 1995, she was signed by [[IMG (business)|IMG]], who agreed to pay the annual tuition fee of $35,000 for Sharapova to stay at the Academy, allowing her to finally enroll at the age of 9.<ref name="times"/>
==Tennis career==
===Junior and early career===
Sharapova first hit the tennis scene in November 2000, when she won the Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championships in the girls' 16 division at the age of just 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eddieherr.com/PastChampions.htm|publisher=Eddie Herr Official Website|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725075033/http://www.eddieherr.com/PastChampions.htm|archivedate=July 25, 2012|title=Eddie Herr Past Champions|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref> She was then given a special distinction, the Rising Star Award, which is awarded only to players of exceptional promise.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317171129/http://www.eddieherr.com/2009/PlayerPacket09.pdf|archivedate=March 17, 2012|url=http://www.eddieherr.com/2009/PlayerPacket09.pdf|publisher=Eddie Herr Official Website|title=Eddie Herr International Special Awards|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref> Sharapova made her professional debut in 2001 on her 14th birthday on April 19, and played her first WTA tournament at the [[Pacific Life Open]] in 2002, winning a match before losing to [[Monica Seles]]. Due to restrictions on how many professional events she could play, Sharapova went to hone her game in junior tournaments, where she reached the finals of the girls' singles events at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2002. She was the youngest girl ever to reach the final of the Australian Open junior championship at 14 years and 9 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5567102/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-20-facts-you-didnt-know.html|title=Wimbledon 2009: Maria Sharapova – 20 facts you didn't know|author=Nick Collins|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=June 24, 2009|accessdate=July 19, 2010}}</ref>
Sharapova reached No. 6 in the [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] junior world singles ranking on October 21, 2002. In all, she won three junior singles tournaments and was runner-up at five, including two junior Grand Slam events. Her win-loss record in junior competition was 47–9.<ref>[http://www.itftennis.com/juniors/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=100013223 ITF Tennis Player Profile], ITF Juniors</ref> Her best results in the Junior Grand Slam tournaments were the finals of the [[2002 Australian Open]], finals of the [[2002 Wimbledon Championships]], third round of the [[2002 French Open]], and second round of the [[2001 US Open (tennis)|2001 US Open]].
===2003: First tournament titles===
From 2003, Sharapova played a full season and made a rapid climb into the top 50 by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Rankings_Stats/Singles_Numeric_2003.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928193303/http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Rankings_Stats/Singles_Numeric_2003.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |author=Liz Schroeder |publisher=WTA |title=WTA Tour Singles Ranking 2003 |date=November 10, 2003 |accessdate=June 12, 2010 }}</ref> She made her debuts at both the [[2003 Australian Open|Australian Open]] and the [[2003 French Open|French Open]], but failed to win a match in either. Then, as a wildcard at [[2003 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], she defeated 11th seed [[Jelena Dokić]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/wimbledon_2003/3028488.stm|title=Sharapova dismisses Dokic|publisher=BBC|date=June 28, 2003|accessdate=May 12, 2013}}</ref> her first win over a top-20 player, to reach the fourth round, where she lost in three sets to [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]].
By the end of September, Sharapova had already captured her first WTA title at a smaller event, the [[Japan Open Tennis Championships]], before winning her second in her final tournament of the season, the [[Bell Challenge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-11-02-quebec_x.htm|title=Sharapova handed Bell Challenge title|work=[[USA Today]] Co.|date=November 2, 2003|accessdate=May 12, 2013}}</ref> To cap off her first full season as a professional, she was awarded the WTA Newcomer of the Year honor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |title=WTA Awards |accessdate=May 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517115202/http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |archivedate=May 17, 2013 |df= }}</ref>
===2004: Wimbledon glory and rise to fame===
{{main|2004 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova was defeated in the third round of the [[2004 Australian Open|Australian Open]] by sixth seed [[Anastasia Myskina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/australian_open/2004/01/24/bc.sport.tennis.open.myskina/|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130616031055/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/australian_open/2004/01/24/bc.sport.tennis.open.myskina/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2013|accessdate=May 29, 2013|date=January 24, 2004|work=Sports Illustrated|title=Myskina downs Sharapova in Russian clash}}</ref> She later reached the semifinals at the [[2004 Kroger St. Jude International and the Cellular South Cup|Cellular South Cup]], where she lost to eventual champion [[Vera Zvonareva]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2004-02-20-roundup_x.htm|title=Federer upset in Rotterdam; Roddick falls at Kroger|date=February 20, 2004|work=[[USA Today]]|accessdate=May 29, 2013}}</ref>
During the spring clay-court season, Sharapova entered the top 20 on the WTA world rankings as a result of reaching the third round of the [[Qatar Telecom German Open]] and the [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia]], both of which were Tier I events. At the latter event, she defeated a player ranked in the top 10 for the first time with a straight-sets win over world No. 10 and [[2004 French Open – Women's Singles|2004 French Open]] finalist [[Elena Dementieva]]. Later that clay-court season, she went on to make the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time at the [[2004 French Open|French Open]], losing there to [[Paola Suárez]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/01/1086058856148.html|title=Suarez strikes another blow for Argentina|publisher=The Age|date=June 2, 2004|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon (2004) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004]]
Sharapova won the third title of her career at the [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] warm-up [[DFS Classic]], defeating [[Tatiana Golovin]] in the final. Seeded 13th and aged 17 at Wimbledon, she reached her first Grand Slam semifinal by defeating [[Ai Sugiyama]]. There, she defeated fifth seed and former champion [[Lindsay Davenport]]. In the final, Sharapova upset top seed and defending champion [[Serena Williams]] to win her first Grand Slam singles title, and become the third-youngest woman to win the Wimbledon title, behind only [[Lottie Dod]] and [[Martina Hingis]]. Sharapova also became the second Russian woman (after [[Anastasia Myskina]] had won the year's previous major at [[French Open|Roland Garros]]) to win a Grand Slam singles title. The victory was hailed by the media as "the most stunning upset in memory",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25495-2004Jul3.html|title=Sharapova Wins Wimbledon After Improbable Journey|work=[[The Washington Post]]|author=Liz Clarke|date=April 7, 2004|accessdate=June 20, 2010}}</ref> with other writers commenting on her arrival as a serious challenger to the [[Williams sisters|Williams']] dominance at Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-11722204-birth-of-a-superstar.do|archive-url=https://archive.is/20120912142226/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-11722204-birth-of-a-superstar.do|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 12, 2012|title=Birth of a superstar|publisher=This Is London|author=Adrian Warner|date=February 7, 2004|accessdate=June 20, 2010}}</ref> She entered the top 10 in the rankings for the first time as a result of the win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=1834581|title=Sharapova vaults into top 10|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=July 6, 2004|accessdate=May 19, 2013}}</ref>
Following her Wimbledon win, attention and interest in Sharapova in the media greatly increased, a rise in popularity dubbed "Maria Mania."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/27/commentary/column_sportsbiz/sportsbiz/index.htm|title=Maria Mania: no stopping her now|publisher=CNN|author=Chris Isidore|date=August 30, 2004|accessdate=June 20, 2010}}</ref> She won three of six matches in her preparations for the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. At the US Open itself, she reached the third round, before being eliminated by [[Mary Pierce]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/3628366.stm|title=Pierce shocks Sharapova|publisher=BBC|date=September 4, 2004|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> In order to regain confidence, Sharapova played and won consecutive titles in Asia in the fall, the [[Hansol Korea Open Tennis Championships]] and the [[Japan Open Tennis Championships]].
In October, Sharapova defeated [[Venus Williams]] en route to making the final of a Tier I event for the first time at the [[Zurich Open]], losing in the final to [[Alicia Molik]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/25/1098556329960.html?from=storylhs|title=Molik stuns Sharapova in Zurich final|publisher=The Age|date=October 25, 2004|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> She then made her debut at the year-ending [[WTA Tour Championships]]. There, she won two of her three round-robin matches (including a win over US Open champion [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]]) in order to advance to the semifinals, where she defeated Myskina. In the final, she defeated an injured Serena Williams, after trailing 4–0 in the final set.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4015111.stm|title=Sharapova wins season's finale|publisher=BBC|date=November 16, 2004|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref>
===2005: World No. 1===
{{main|2005 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova started the year at the [[2005 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she defeated fifth seed [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] to reach the second Grand Slam semifinal of her career. Sharapova held match points in the second and third set of her semifinal match, before losing to eventual champion [[Serena Williams]]. In February, Sharapova won back-to-back tournaments, the [[Toray Pan Pacific Open]] and the [[Qatar Total Open]], allowing her to reach number 3 in the world rankings for the first time.
In the semifinals of the Tier I [[Pacific Life Open]], Sharapova was defeated by [[Lindsay Davenport]], the first time she had failed to win a game in a match.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4363185.stm|title=Sharapova humiliated by Davenport|publisher=BBC|date=March 18, 2005|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> She defeated former world No. 1 players [[Justine Henin]] and [[Venus Williams]] to reach the final at the Tier I [[NASDAQ-100 Open]], where she lost to [[Kim Clijsters]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/01/sports/tennis/01tennis.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fS%2fSharapova%2c%20Maria&_r=0|title=Sharapova Rights Her Game vs. Venus Williams|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Sandra Harwitt|date=April 1, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21225-2005Apr2.html|title=Clijsters's Dream Continues|work=[[The Washington Post]]|author=Amy Shipley|date=April 3, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova made the semifinals of a clay-court tournament for the first time at the [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]], where she lost to [[Patty Schnyder]]. Sharapova would have become world No. 1 for the first time had she won the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4544729.stm|title=Sharapova edges nearer to summit|publisher=BBC|date=May 13, 2005|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> Sharapova then reached the quarterfinals of the [[2005 French Open|French Open]] for the second consecutive year, before losing to eventual champion Henin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/01/tennis.frenchopen2005|title=Henin reduces Sharapova to dust|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Stephen Bierley|date=June 1, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> On grass, Sharapova won her third title of the year when she successfully defended her title at the [[DFS Classic]], defeating [[Jelena Janković]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4085880.stm|title=Sharapova keeps Birmingham title|publisher=BBC|date=June 12, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> As the defending champion at [[2005 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Sharapova reached the semifinals without dropping a set and losing a service game just once, extending her winning streak on grass to 24 matches. However, she was then beaten by eventual champion [[Venus Williams]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4639341.stm|title=Williams ends Sharapova's defence|publisher=BBC|date=June 30, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova had far fewer points to defend, and so she became the first Russian woman to hold the world No. 1 ranking on August 22, 2005.<ref name="wtacareer">{{cite web|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/qa-sharapovas-first-business-aims-for-the-sweet-spot/479274.html|title=Q&A: Sharapova's First Business Aims for the Sweet Spot|work=[[The Moscow Times]]|date=April 26, 2013|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Her reign lasted only one week, however, as Davenport reclaimed the top ranking after winning the [[Pilot Pen Tennis]] tournament.<ref name="wtacareer"/>
As the top seed at the [[2005 US Open – Women's Singles|US Open]], Sharapova lost in the semifinals to [[Kim Clijsters]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4228310.stm|title=Clijsters battles past Sharapova|publisher=BBC|date=September 9, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> meaning she had lost to the eventual champion in every Grand Slam of the season. However, she once again leapfrogged Davenport to take the world No. 1 ranking on September 12, 2005. She retained it for six weeks, but after playing few tournaments while injured, she again relinquished the ranking to Davenport.<ref name="wtacareer"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/17404-davenport-regains-no-1-ranking|title=Davenport regains No. 1 ranking|publisher=NDTV|date=August 27, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> To conclude the year, Sharapova failed to defend her title at the year-end [[Sony Ericsson Championships]] in Los Angeles, defeating Davenport in one of her round-robin matches, but ultimately losing in the semifinals to eventual champion [[Amélie Mauresmo]].
===2006: US Open champion===
{{main|2006 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
[[File:MariaSharapova (cropped).JPG|thumb|upright|Sharapova celebrating after winning the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|2006 US Open]]]]
Sharapova started 2006 by losing in the semifinals of the [[2006 Australian Open|Australian Open]] in three sets to Henin,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen06/news/story?id=2579411|title=Sharapova, Henin-Hardenne advance to Open final|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=September 8, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> also losing a rematch several weeks later at the [[Dubai Tennis Championships]], having defeated former world No. 1 [[Martina Hingis]] and world No. 3 [[Lindsay Davenport]] in earlier rounds of the tournament. Sharapova claimed her first title in nine months at the Tier I tournament in Indian Wells, defeating Hingis in the semifinals and [[Elena Dementieva]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4818828.stm|title=Sharapova into all-Russian final|publisher=BBC|date=March 18, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-03-19/sports/0603190381_1_pacific-life-open-title-indian-wells-james-blake|title=Sharapova wins Pacific Life|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 19, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> She reached the final in [[2006 NASDAQ-100 Open – Women's Singles|Miami]] before losing to Kuznetsova.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/apr/02/tennis.richardevans|title=Kuznetsova quiets Sharapova scream on the way to title|publisher=The Guardian|date=April 2, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova returned for the [[2006 French Open – Women's Singles|French Open]]. There, after saving match points in defeating [[Mashona Washington]] in the first round, she was eliminated by [[Dinara Safina]] in the fourth round.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/sports/tennis/04french-wire.html?_r=0|title= Sharapova Falls at French Open |work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 4, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> On grass, Sharapova was unsuccessful in her attempt to win in Birmingham for the third consecutive year, losing in the semifinals to [[Jamea Jackson]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/5091134.stm|title= Sharapova suffers surprise defeat |publisher=BBC|date=June 17, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Despite that, she was among the title favorites at [[2006 Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], where the eventual champion Mauresmo ended up beating her in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200607/s1680842.htm|title=Mauresmo survives lapse to reach Wimbledon final|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]|date=July 7, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova claimed her second title of the year at the Tier I [[Acura Classic]], defeating Clijsters for the first time in the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2006-08-06-acura-classic_x.htm|title=Sharapova outlasts Clijsters in Acura final|date=August 6, 2006|work=[[USA Today]]|accessdate=May 31, 2013}}</ref> As the third seed at the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Sharapova defeated top seed Mauresmo for the first time in the semifinals,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/open/2006-09-08-day-12_x.htm?POESPOISVA|title=Sharapova stops No. 1 Mauresmo, will meet Henin-Hardenne in U.S. Open final|date=September 8, 2006|work=[[USA Today]]|accessdate=May 31, 2013}}</ref> and then followed up by beating second seed [[Justine Henin]] to win her second Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen06/news/story?id=2581102|title=Sharapova drops Henin-Hardenne to win U.S. Open title|date=September 12, 2006|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=May 31, 2013}}</ref>
That autumn, Sharapova won titles in back-to-back weeks at the [[Zurich Open]] and the [[Generali Ladies Linz]]. By winning all three of her round-robin matches at the [[2006 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|WTA Tour Championships]], she extended her win streak to 19 matches, before it was snapped in the semifinals by eventual champion Henin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-11-26/sports/0611250235_1_maria-sharapova-justine-henin-hardenne-wta-championships|title=Henin-Hardenne came up aces|publisher=[[Sun Sentinel]]|date=November 26, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova would have finished the season as world No. 1 had she won the event. As it was, she finished ranked world No. 2, her best year-end finish yet.
===2007: Return to No. 1, shoulder injury and fall from the Top 5===
Sharapova was the top seed at the [[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|Australian Open]] due to top-ranked [[Justine Henin]]'s withdrawal. After being two points away from defeat in the first round against [[Camille Pin]], she went on to reach the final of the tournament for the first time, but was routed there by [[Serena Williams]] who was ranked world No. 81 at the time. After reaching the final, Sharapova recaptured the world No. 1 ranking.<ref name="wtacareer"/> She held it for seven weeks, surrendering it back to Henin after failing to defend her title at the [[Pacific Life Open]], instead losing in the fourth round to [[Vera Zvonareva]] after struggling with a hamstring injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6326809.stm|title=Leg injury forces Sharapova out|publisher=BBC|date=February 3, 2007|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref> The following fortnight, she defeated [[Venus Williams]] in the third round of the [[Sony Ericsson Open]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/03/25/us-tennis-miami-idUSL2308180420070325|title=Sharapova sets up Venus showdown in rainy Miami|agency=Reuters|date=March 27, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> before being beaten again by Serena Williams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voices.yahoo.com/serena-williams-defeats-maria-sharapova-today-key-270447.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729030341/http://voices.yahoo.com/serena-williams-defeats-maria-sharapova-today-key-270447.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2014|title=Serena Williams Defeats Maria Sharapova Today in Key Biscayne|publisher=[[Yahoo]]|author=Verdell A. Wright|date=March 27, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
A shoulder injury forced Sharapova to miss most of the clay-court season for the second consecutive year, resulting in her only tune-up for the [[2007 French Open|French Open]] being the [[İstanbul Cup]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6689561.stm|title=Sharapova battles to Istanbul win|publisher=BBC|date=May 24, 2007|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref> where she lost in the semifinals to [[Aravane Rezaï]]. She reached the semifinals of the French Open for the first time in her career, before losing to [[Ana Ivanovic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jun/07/tennis.frenchopen2007|title=Ivanovic stuns Sharapova to set up Henin showdown|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 7, 2007|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref> On grass, Sharapova was runner-up to [[Jelena Janković]] at the [[DFS Classic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6762093.stm|title=Jankovic seals win over Sharapova|publisher=BBC|date=June 17, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Following that, she experienced her earliest Wimbledon loss since 2003 by losing in the fourth round to eventual champion Venus Williams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/04/tennis.wimbledon1|title=Henin sends Serena crashing out|publisher=The Guardian|date=July 4, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova clinched the [[US Open Series]] by defending her title at the [[Acura Classic]], her only championship of the year, and reaching the semifinals in Los Angeles.<ref name="wtacareer"/> In her [[2007 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] title defense, Sharapova was upset in her third-round match to 30th seed [[Agnieszka Radwańska]],<ref name="radwanska">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6974187.stm|title=Sharapova loses to teen Radwanska|publisher=BBC|date=September 1, 2007|accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> making it her earliest exit at a Grand Slam singles tournament since the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|2004 US Open]], where she lost in the same round.<ref name="wtacareer"/>
Following the US Open loss, Sharapova did not play again until the [[Kremlin Cup]] in October, where she lost her opening match to [[Victoria Azarenka]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7038379.stm|title=Sharapova crashes out in Moscow|publisher=BBC|date=October 10, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Shortly after this, she fell out of the top 5 in the world rankings for the first time since 2004. She qualified for the eight-woman year-end [[2007 WTA Tour Championships|Sony Ericsson Championships]] because of a withdrawal by Venus Williams before the start of the tournament.<ref name="wtacareer"/> Despite having not previously won a match in two months, Sharapova topped her round-robin group at the tournament, after winning all three of her matches, defeating [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]], Ana Ivanovic, and [[Daniela Hantuchová]]. She then defeated [[Anna Chakvetadze]] in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/nov/11/tennis.news|title=Sharapova straight in|author=Richard Evans |date=November 11, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> In the final, she lost to world No. 1 Henin in a match that lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes. Sharapova reached the top 5 again to end the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3149968|title=Strong finish for Sharapova; stronger return by Davenport|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Joel Drucker|date=December 13, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
===2008: Australian Open champion, No. 1 and second shoulder injury===
{{main|2008 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova was seeded fifth at the [[2008 Australian Open|Australian Open]], but was not considered a favorite. Nevertheless, she defeated former world No. 1 [[Lindsay Davenport]] in the second round, and then world No. 1 Henin in the quarterfinals,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7201953.stm|title=Brilliant Sharapova hammers Henin|publisher=BBC|date=January 22, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> ending the latter's 32-match winning streak.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clarey|first=Christopher|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/sports/tennis/24tennis.html?fta=y|title=Sharapova Reaches the Final Again and Hopes for a Better Outcome|work=The New York Times |date=January 24, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> She proceeded to the finals by defeating [[Jelena Janković]] in the semifinals, and defeated [[Ana Ivanovic]] in the final to win her third Grand Slam title, having not dropped a set all tournament.
After the Australian Open, Sharapova extended her winning streak to 18 matches. This run encompassed two wins including at the Tier I [[2008 Qatar Total Open|Qatar Total Open]]. Her winning streak was ended in the semifinals of the [[2008 Pacific Life Open|Pacific Life Open]] by Kuznetsova. In April, Sharapova won the [[2008 Bausch & Lomb Championships|Bausch & Lomb Championships]], having survived her longest-ever match, at 3 hours and 26 minutes long, in the third round against [[Anabel Medina Garrigues]].<ref name="epicbattle">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7341970.stm|title=Sharapova wins epic battle|publisher=BBC|date=April 11, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> The following week, at the [[2008 Family Circle Cup|Family Circle Cup]], she lost in the quarterfinals to [[Serena Williams]], her fourth consecutive loss to the American.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2004359654_digs19.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908041540/http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2004359654_digs19.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2014|title=Tennis: Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova 4th time in a row|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=April 19, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
In May, Sharapova regained the world No. 1 ranking because of Henin's sudden retirement from professional tennis and request to the [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] that her own ranking be removed immediately.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=tennis&id=3397722|title=Sharapova to take over top ranking from retired Henin|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=May 15, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> As the top-seeded player at the [[2008 French Open – Women's Singles|French Open]], Sharapova was within two points<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french08/news/story?id=3415126|title=Sharapova needs 8–6 win in third set to overcome Rodina|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=May 28, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> of being knocked out by [[Evgeniya Rodina]] in the first round, before eventually winning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/8184486/Sharapova-a-long-way-from-Grand-Slam-form|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215040319/http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/8184486/Sharapova-a-long-way-from-Grand-Slam-form|archivedate=February 15, 2009|title=Sharapova a long way from Grand Slam form|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|date=May 28, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> As a result of losing to eventual finalist [[Dinara Safina]] in the fourth round (after serving for the match),<ref>{{cite news|last=Clarey|first=Christopher|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/sports/tennis/03tennis.html|title=Sharapova Roars, but She Is Silenced by Safina Once Again|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 3, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> she relinquished her No. 1 ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3424588|title=Sharapova to drop from top spot after French Open|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=June 3, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> Her dip in form continued at [[Wimbledon 2008|Wimbledon]], where she lost in the second round to world No. 154 [[Alla Kudryavtseva]]. This was her earliest loss at Wimbledon, and at any Grand Slam in almost five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon08/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&id=3462202|title=Sharapova loss just the start of a chaotic day at Wimbledon|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=June 27, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref>
Sharapova withdrew from the [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Rogers Cup]] tournament in August following a shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2008/07/30/rogers-cup-three.html|title=Sharapova withdraws from Rogers Cup|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]|date=July 31, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> An [[magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]] scan revealed that she had been suffering from a [[rotator cuff tear]] since April, forcing her out of all tournaments for the rest of the season, including the [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Beijing Olympics]], the [[2008 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], and the [[2008 WTA Tour Championships|WTA Tour Championships]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/tennis/7536416.stm|title=Sharapova to miss US Open & Games|publisher=BBC|date=August 1, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In spite of that, she still finished the year ranked world No. 9. In October, after a failed attempt to rehabilitate the shoulder, Sharapova had surgery to repair the tear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2011-06-30-Brennan-maria-sharapova-wimbledon-final_n.htm|title=Sharapova back at last where she belongs|work=[[USA Today]]|author=Christine Brennan|date=June 30, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
===2009–2010: Shoulder surgery, rehabilitation, comeback and struggles with form===
{{main|2009 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova did not attempt to defend her [[2009 Australian Open|Australian Open]] title, as she continued to recover from surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/tennis/sharapova-out/2009/01/11/1231608525444.html|title=Sharapova out after shoulder fails to recover|publisher=Fairfax Digital|work=The Age|author=Linda Pearce|date=January 12, 2009|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> She returned to the sport in March, in the doubles tournament at the [[2009 BNP Paribas Open – Women's Doubles|BNP Paribas Open]], but she and partner [[Elena Vesnina]] lost in the first round. After this, Sharapova withdrew from further singles tournaments, resulting in her standing in the world rankings being severely affected. She dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in six years in May, the nadir being world No. 126.<ref name="wtatennis" />
[[File:Maria Sharapova at 2009 Roland Garros, Paris, France.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|Sharapova made the quarterfinals of the [[2009 French Open|French Open]], her best Grand Slam performance of 2009]]
Playing her first singles tournament in nearly ten months, Sharapova made the quarterfinals of the clay-court [[2009 Warsaw Open – Singles|Warsaw Open]] in May, losing to finalist [[Alona Bondarenko]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4192265|title=Bondarenko wins in straight sets|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=May 21, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> The following week, in her first Grand Slam appearance since her surgery, she reached the quarterfinals of the [[2009 French Open – Women's Singles|French Open]], before her run was ended by [[Dominika Cibulková]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/5430320/French-Open-2009-Maria-Sharapova-and-the-curse-of-the-cover-stars.html|title=French Open 2009: Maria Sharapova and the curse of the cover stars |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|author=Mark Hodgkinson|date=June 2, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
During the summer grass-court season, Sharapova played in [[2009 Aegon Classic – Singles|Birmingham]], losing in the semifinals to Li Na.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4256242|title=Sharapova broken six times in loss|date=June 13, 2009|publisher=[[ESPN]]|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova then played at [[2009 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] as the 24th seed. She was upset in the second round by [[Gisela Dulko]] in three sets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5624035/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-suffers-shock-defeat-by-Gisela-Dulko.html|title=Wimbledon 2009: Maria Sharapova suffers shock defeat by Gisela Dulko|last=Hodgkinson|first=Mark|date=June 24, 2009|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=May 18, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova enjoyed considerable success in the summer months, reaching the quarterfinals at the [[2009 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]], the semifinals at the [[2009 LA Women's Tennis Championships|LA Women's Tennis Championships]], and finishing runner-up at the [[2009 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]] to [[Elena Dementieva]]. At the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|2009 US Open]], Sharapova was seeded 29th. She found her way into the third round, defeating [[Tsvetana Pironkova]] and [[Christina McHale]] all in straight sets. She was stunned in the third round by American teenager [[Melanie Oudin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4448907|title=Oudin's run continues; Safina exits early|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=September 6, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> It was the second time in Sharapova's career that she lost to a teenager at a [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]], having lost to [[Agnieszka Radwańska]] during the same event in 2007. The loss made Sharapova's ranking go down to No. 32.<ref name="wtatennis" />
The final stretch of the season brought Sharapova her first title of the year in [[2009 Toray Pan Pacific Open|Tokyo]], after opponent [[Jelena Janković]] retired after being down 2–5 to Sharapova in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/10/03/tennis.sharapova.jankovic.venus/|title= Sharapova lands Tokyo title as Jankovic quits |publisher=CNN|date=October 3, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> By virtue of that result, she was the recipient of a bye at the [[2009 China Open (tennis)|China Open]], but failed to capitalize on it, losing to [[Peng Shuai]] in the third round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/oct/07/maria-sharapova-china-open-shuai|title=Tired Maria Sharapova knocked out of China Open by Peng Shuai|publisher=The Guardian|date=October 7, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> She ultimately finished the season at world No. 14, having improved from No. 126 when she started her comeback from injury.<ref name="wtatennis" />
{{main|2010 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
After playing two exhibition tournaments in Asia, Sharapova officially began her season at the [[2010 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she was upset in her first-round match against [[Maria Kirilenko]]. The loss meant that for the first time since 2003, Sharapova had lost her opening match at a Grand Slam event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/australianopen/7016124/Australian-Open-2010-Maria-Sharapova-dumped-out-by-Maria-Kirilenko.html|author=Mark Hodgkinson|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|title=Australian Open 2010: Maria Sharapova dumped out by Maria Kirilenko|date=January 18, 2010|accessdate=June 12, 2010|location=London}}</ref> She then rebounded by winning a smaller American event, the [[2010 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup|Cellular South Cup]], her 21st career WTA title and first of the year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8526723.stm|title=Maria Sharapova beats Sofia Arvidsson in Memphis final|date=January 21, 2010|work=BBC Sport |accessdate=February 22, 2010}}</ref>
At the [[2010 BNP Paribas Open|BNP Paribas Open]], Sharapova lost in the third round to [[Zheng Jie]], aggravating a bruised bone on her right elbow in the process, which resulted in her eventual withdrawal from the [[2010 Sony Ericsson Open|Sony Ericsson Open]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/tennis/03/18/tennis.sharapova.injury.elbow/index.html|publisher=CNN|title=Sharapova suffers fresh setback after elbow injury|date=March 18, 2010|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref> and the [[2010 Family Circle Cup|Family Circle Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usta.com/Global/Pro_Tennis/Pro_Tennis/Wire/2010/04/09/Serena_Williams_Sharapova_withdraw_from_Family_Circle_Cup.aspx |publisher=United States Tennis Association |title=Serena Williams, Sharapova withdraw from Family Circle Cup |date=April 9, 2010 |accessdate=June 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413075534/http://www.usta.com/Global/Pro_Tennis/Pro_Tennis/Wire/2010/04/09/Serena_Williams_Sharapova_withdraw_from_Family_Circle_Cup.aspx |archivedate=April 13, 2010 }}</ref>
Returning at the [[2010 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open]], Sharapova lost in the first round to [[Lucie Šafářová]]. She continued her French Open preparation at the [[2010 Internationaux de Strasbourg|Internationaux de Strasbourg]] as a wildcard, advancing to the final, where she beat [[Kristina Barrois]]. This was her first title on red clay and 22nd overall title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/tennis/2010/05/24/257792/Sharapova-wins.htm|work=The China Post|location=Taiwan (ROC)|title=Sharapova wins second 2010 title at Strasbourg|date=May 24, 2010|accessdate=June 12, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925202148/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/tennis/2010/05/24/257792/Sharapova-wins.htm|archivedate=September 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> At the [[2010 French Open|French Open]], Sharapova's brief clay season culminated with a third-round loss to four-time champion [[Justine Henin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/7785938/French-Open-2010-Justine-Henin-defeats-Maria-Sharapova.html|title=French Open 2010: Justine Henin defeats Maria Sharapova|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=May 30, 2010|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova began her preparations for Wimbledon at the [[2010 Aegon Classic|Aegon Classic]]. She advanced to the final for the fourth time, where she lost to [[Li Na]]. As the 16th seed at [[2010 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Sharapova lost in the fourth round to world No. 1 and eventual champion [[Serena Williams]], despite having three set points in the opening set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/tennis/tournaments/story/0,25174,18898_6236218,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701033332/http://www.skysports.com/tennis/tournaments/story/0%2C25174%2C18898_6236218%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 1, 2010 |title=Sharapova tests Serena |work=Sky Sports |date=June 29, 2010 |accessdate=July 3, 2010 |df= }}</ref> The match was seen as another encouraging performance for Sharapova, with some stating their belief that she was approaching the form that would see her contending for Grand Slams once more,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/serena-forced-into-top-gear-to-tame-sharapova-2013078.html|title=Serena forced into top gear to tame Sharapova|author=Chris McGrath|work=The Independent |location=UK|date=June 29, 2010|accessdate=July 3, 2010 }}</ref> and Sharapova herself stating that she felt that she was "in a much better spot than I was last year."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/serena-williams-avoids-flashback-beats-sharapova/|title=Serena Williams Avoids Flashback, Beats Sharapova|author=John Martin|work=The New York Times|date=June 28, 2010|accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref>
During the [[US Open Series]], Sharapova made two straight finals, losing to [[Victoria Azarenka]] at the [[2010 Bank of the West Classic – Singles|Bank of the West Classic]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2010-08-01-bank-of-the-west-classic_N.htm|title=Azarenka rolls past Sharapova to win Bank of the West title|work=[[USA Today]]|date=February 8, 2010|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref> and to [[Kim Clijsters]] at the [[2010 Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open – Singles|Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cincytennis.com/clijsters_wins/|title=Clijsters Storms Back to Win 2010 Women's Open|publisher=WTA|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref> In the latter match, Sharapova held three match points while leading 5–3 on Clijsters's serve late in the second set, but could not convert them. At the [[2010 US Open (tennis)|U.S. Open]], Sharapova was the 14th seed. She made it to the fourth round, where she played top seed and 2009 finalist [[Caroline Wozniacki]] and lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen10/news/story?id=5539423|title=Maria Sharapova loses in 4th round|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=September 7, 2010|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova's last two tournaments of the season ended in disappointment. She played in the [[2010 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Singles|Toray Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo, where she was upset in the first round by 39-year-old [[Kimiko Date-Krumm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2010-09-27-pan-pacific-open_N.htm|title=Japan's Date Krumm ousts Sharapova at Pan Pacific Open|work=USA Today|date=September 29, 2010|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Her last tournament of the year was the [[2010 China Open – Women's Singles|China Open]], where she lost in the second round to fellow Russian [[Elena Vesnina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/oct/07/maria-sharapova-china-open-shuai|title=Tired Maria Sharapova knocked out of China Open by Peng Shuai|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 7, 2010|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> She ended the year at number 18 in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/photos/article/2213795/title/2010-year-end-top-20|title=2010: Year-End Top 20|publisher=WTA|date=November 10, 2010|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
===2011: Return to the Top 10===
It was announced that Sharapova would bring in [[Thomas Högstedt]] as a coach for the 2011 season, joining [[Michael Joyce (tennis)|Michael Joyce]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2010/12/sharapova-hires-hogstedt-to-co-coach-with-joyce/26210/|title=Sharapova hires Hogstedt to co-coach with Joyce|author=Matthew Cronin|publisher=TENNIS.com|date=December 4, 2010|accessdate=October 23, 2014 }}</ref> On December 5, Sharapova won an exhibition match against world No. 2 [[Vera Zvonareva]] in Monterrey, Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.wtatennis.com/page/OffCourtNews/Read/0,,12781~2239156,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130615221220/http://origin-www.wtatennis.com/page/OffCourtNews/Read/0,,12781~2239156,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |title=Maria & Vera In Monterrey |publisher=WTA |date=December 7, 2010 |accessdate=May 4, 2013 }}</ref> In Sharapova's first official Australian Open warm-up tournament at the [[2011 ASB Classic – Singles|2011 ASB Classic]] in Auckland, New Zealand, she was seeded first. She lost to the Hungarian veteran and eventual champion [[Gréta Arn]] in the quarterfinals. After the ASB Classic, Sharapova decided to split up with Joyce, ending a successful cooperation that has brought her two Grand Slam victories and the world No. 1 ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/sports/20110116/162167367.html|title=Sharapova's long-time coach leaves job|publisher=RIA Novosti|date=January 16, 2011|accessdate=October 23, 2014}}</ref>
Sharapova participated in the first Grand Slam of the season at the [[2011 Australian Open – Women's Singles|Australian Open]], where she was the 14th seed, but lost to [[Andrea Petkovic]] in the fourth round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/sports/20110123/162258814.html|title=Russia's Sharapova loses out to Germany's Petkovic in Australian Open|author=Anton Denisov|date=January 23, 2011|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}</ref> She also had to pull out of the [[2011 Dubai Tennis Championships]] and [[2011 Qatar Ladies Open]] because of an ear infection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/blog/_/name/espntennis/month/february-2011|title=Work to do for Roddick and the Americans|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Ravi Ubha|date=February 16, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova returned to the tour in March by taking part in the [[2011 BNP Paribas Open]], where she was seeded 16th. She defeated former world No. 1 [[Dinara Safina]], in the fourth round en route to the semifinal, where she lost to world No. 1 [[Caroline Wozniacki]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/wozniacki-wins-bnp-paribaas-open_n_838169.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323155204/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/wozniacki-wins-bnp-paribaas-open_n_838169.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 23, 2011 |title=Wozniacki Wins BNP Paribas Open, Beats Marion Bartoli In Finals |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |author=Beth Harris |date=March 20, 2011 |accessdate=June 14, 2013 |df= }}</ref> At the [[2011 Sony Ericsson Open]] in Key Biscayne, Sharapova defeated 26th seed [[Alexandra Dulgheru]] in the quarterfinals, in a match lasting 3 hours and 28 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/sports/20110330/163283242.html|title=Russia's Sharapova moves into semis at Miami tennis tournament|publisher=[[RIA Novosti]]|date=March 30, 2011|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref> In the semifinals, Sharapova took her [[2011 Australian Open – Women's Singles|Australian Open]] reprisal on Germany's [[Andrea Petkovic]] by defeating her. In the final, she was defeated by [[Victoria Azarenka]], despite a late comeback in the second set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/aus12/story/_/id/7513049/2012-australian-open-victoria-azarenka-routs-maria-sharapova-win-title|title=Victoria Azarenka routs Sharapova|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=January 29, 2011|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref> With this result, Sharapova returned to the top 10 for the first time since February 2009.<ref name="wtatennis"/>
During the clay-court season, Sharapova participated in [[2011 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open]], where she lost to [[Dominika Cibulková]] in the third round, and the [[2011 Internazionali BNL d'Italia]], where she was seeded seventh. She defeated top seed Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals and sixth seed Samantha Stosur in the final to take home the title, marking her biggest clay-court victory to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2360583/title/sharapovas-greatest-clay-court-triumph|title=Sharapova's Greatest Clay Court Triumph|publisher=WTA|date=May 15, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> At the [[2011 French Open]], Sharapova was seeded seventh. She defeated French wildcard [[Caroline Garcia]] in the second round, despite trailing 3–6, 1–4, before winning the last 11 games of the match. In the quarterfinals, she defeated 15th seed [[Andrea Petkovic]], marking her first Grand Slam semifinal since her comeback from the career-threatening shoulder injury. She then lost to sixth seed and eventual champion [[Li Na]], in the semifinals, ending her clay season with a win-loss record of 12–2.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322014754/http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2011-06-02/201106021307029251097.html|archivedate=March 22, 2012|url=http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2011-06-02/201106021307029251097.html|title=Li sweeps Sharapova aside for tilt at title|author=Louisa Baker|date=June 2, 2011|accessdate=June 4, 2011}}</ref>
At the [[2011 Wimbledon Championships]], Sharapova had not dropped a set entering the final, before losing to eighth seed [[Petra Kvitová]] in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/14002512|title=Wimbledon 2011: Petra Kvitova beats Maria Sharapova to title|publisher=BBC|author=Piers Newbery|date=July 2, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> This marked her first final in over three years at a Grand Slam event. Sharapova started her summer hard-court season at the [[2011 Bank of the West Classic]] in [[Stanford, California]]. In a highly anticipated match, Sharapova lost to the eventual champion [[Serena Williams]] in the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2405569/title/serena-shines-in-qfs-lisicki-awaits-in-sfs|title=Serena Shines In QFs, Lisicki Awaits In SFs|publisher=WTA|date=July 29, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In her next event at the [[2011 Rogers Cup – Women's Singles|2011 Rogers Cup]] in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Sharapova lost to [[Galina Voskoboeva]] in the third round, marking her 100th career loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2417634/title/stosur-dismisses-li-tough-day-for-faves|title=Stosur Dismisses Li, Tough Day For Faves|publisher=WTA|date=August 11, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Maria Sharapova 2011.jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova at the [[2011 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], August 2011]]
Sharapova then contested the [[2011 Western & Southern Open – Women's Singles|2011 Western & Southern Open]] in [[Cincinnati]], Ohio. As the fourth seed, she received a bye into the second round. On the way to her fourth final of the year, she beat [[Anastasia Rodionova]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2422838/title/bartoli-back-on-track-serena-edges-hradecka|title=Bartoli Back On Track, Serena Edges Hradecka
|publisher=WTA|date=August 16, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> 14th seed [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2425089/title/hantuchova-gets-past-bartoli-zvonareva-next|title=Hantuchova Gets Past Bartoli, Zvonareva Next|publisher=WTA|date=August 18, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> tenth seed Samantha Stosur,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2426294/title/zvonareva-sharapova-to-clash-in-semifinals|title=Zvonareva & Sharapova to clash in semifinals|publisher=WTA|date=August 19, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> and 2nd seed Vera Zvonareva.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2427204/title/former-world-no1s-to-collide-in-cincinnati|title=Former world No. 1s to Collide in Cincinnati|publisher=WTA|date=August 20, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In the final, she defeated fellow former world No. 1 [[Jelena Janković]], in 2 hours and 49 minutes, making it the longest WTA tour final of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110821/SPT/308210027/Sharapova-wins-women-s-title?odyssey|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130407230738/http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110821/SPT/308210027/Sharapova-wins-women-s-title?odyssey|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 7, 2013|title=Sharapova wins women's title|publisher=Cincinnati.com|author=Shannon Russell|date=August 22, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> She subsequently moved up to world No. 4, her highest ranking since August 2008 and the highest since her comeback from her shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2428859/title/ranking-watch-maria-moves-up-to-no4|title=Ranking Watch: Maria Moves Up To No. 4|publisher=WTA|date=August 22, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova entered the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]], where she was seeded third. She beat [[Heather Watson]], and [[Anastasiya Yakimova]], to reach the third round. She was then upset by [[Flavia Pennetta]]. However, because of the fall of [[Kim Clijsters]] and Vera Zvonareva in the rankings, Sharapova climbed to world No. 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Maria-Sharapova-Shocked-Out-of-US-Open,-More-From-.aspx|title=Maria Sharapova Shocked Out of US Open, More From New York|publisher=Tennisnow|date=September 2, 2011|accessdate=September 2, 2011}}</ref> Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2011 Toray Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo, Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/sports/topics/AJ2011093012822 |title=Sharapova limps out of Pan Pacific Open |publisher=The Asahi Shimbun Company |author=Rob Smaal |date=September 30, 2011 |accessdate=June 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231212/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/sports/topics/AJ2011093012822 |archivedate=February 21, 2014 |df= }}</ref> As second seed, she received a bye into the second round, where she beat [[Tamarine Tanasugarn]]. She then beat 13th seed [[Julia Görges]], before retiring against Petra Kvitová in the quarterfinal, 3–4, after slipping on the baseline, suffering an ankle injury. This also forced her to withdraw from the [[2011 China Open (tennis)|2011 China Open]] the following week. Sharapova then flew to Istanbul to prepare for the [[2011 WTA Tour Championships]], her first time qualifying since 2007. During the WTA Tour Championships, Sharapova withdrew during the round-robin stage after defeats against Samantha Stosur and [[Li Na]], as a result of the ankle injury she had suffered in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/sports/20110929/167244910.html|title=Ankle injury forces Sharapova to retire in Tokyo QF against Kvitova|publisher=[[RIA Novosti]]|date=September 29, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova ended the year as No. 4 in the world, her first top-10 finish since 2008 and first top-5 finish since 2007.
===2012: Career Grand Slam, back to No. 1 and Olympic silver===
{{main|2012 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova withdrew from the [[2012 Brisbane International]] because of her ongoing ankle injury.<ref>{{cite web|last=Musall |first=Jeff |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/news?slug=ycn-10746909 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111124801/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/news?slug=ycn-10746909 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |title=Maria Sharapova Withdraws from Brisbane, Still on for Australian Open: Fan Reaction – Tennis – Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date=April 20, 2011 |accessdate=January 25, 2012 |df= }}</ref> Her first tournament of the season was the [[2012 Australian Open]], where she was seeded fourth. Sharapova advanced to the final round defeating [[Gisela Dulko]], [[Jamie Hampton]], and 30th seed [[Angelique Kerber]], compatriot [[Ekaterina Makarova]] and world No. 2 [[Petra Kvitová]]. She lost to [[Victoria Azarenka]] in two sets. As a result, her ranking improved to world No. 3. She then played in the [[2012 Open GDF Suez|Paris]], where she lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Angelique Kerber. As a result, her ranking improved to world No. 2.
[[File:Flickr - Carine06 - Maria Sharapova (1).jpg|thumb|left|Sharapova at the 2012 Summer Olympics, July 2012]]
At the [[2012 BNP Paribas Open – Women's Singles|Indian Wells]], after battling for over three hours, Sharapova defeated compatriot [[Maria Kirilenko]] to set up a semifinal meeting with [[Ana Ivanovic]]. Sharapova advanced to the final after Ivanovic retired due to a hip injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkWBQLZ15wdEi6m7Hpp14Jg8J8mg?docId=CNG.697f089e0b767f4cfb209463a0122c94.61 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130615221223/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkWBQLZ15wdEi6m7Hpp14Jg8J8mg?docId=CNG.697f089e0b767f4cfb209463a0122c94.61 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |title=Ivanovic sweats on extent of hip injury |publisher=[[Google]] |author=Greg Heakes |date=May 17, 2012 |accessdate=June 2, 2013 }}</ref> In the final, she played world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in a rematch of the Australian Open final, but lost again in straight sets. Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2012 Sony Ericsson Open]], where she was seeded 2nd and received a bye. In the final, Sharapova lost in straight sets to fifth seed [[Agnieszka Radwańska]]. This was her third loss of the year in finals out of four tournaments played so far. In the [[2012 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – Singles|Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]] in Stuttgart, Sharapova was seeded second. She had a bye in the first round, and advanced to the third round after [[Alizé Cornet]] retired in the second set. She won her first title of the year in Stuttgart after defeating world number one Victoria Azarenka. In doing so, Sharapova defeated three current Grand Slam title holders to win the tournament. Sharapova then played on the [[2012 Mutua Madrid Open]], a premier mandatory event. In the third round, Sharapova's opponent [[Lucie Šafářová]] was unable to compete and withdrew from the tournament, earning Sharapova a walkover into the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/05/10/sharapova-serena-reach-madrid-open-quarters/|title=Sharapova, Serena reach Madrid Open quarters|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=May 10, 2012|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref> She was then beaten by eventual champion [[Serena Williams]] in straight sets.
As the defending champion and second seed at the [[2012 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Italian Open]], Sharapova had a bye in the first round. In the semifinals, Sharapova defeated Angelique Kerber to advance to the final for the second year in a row. In the final, Sharapova saved match point for a 2-hour 52-minute win over [[Li Na]] for her 26th career title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/18138072|title=Maria Sharapova |publisher=BBC|date=May 20, 2013|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> This marked the fourth time Sharapova had successfully defended a title.
Sharapova was seeded second at the [[2012 French Open|French Open]], where she defeated [[Alexandra Cadanțu]], [[Petra Kvitová]] on her way to the finals, allowing her to regain the world No. 1 ranking. In the final, she defeated [[Sara Errani]] for her first French Open title. Sharapova became only the tenth woman to complete a Career Grand Slam with the French Open victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/sharapova-savours-her-sweetest-triumph-as-reward-for-comeback-7834856.html|title=Sharapova savours her 'sweetest triumph' as reward for comeback |date=June 11, 2012|work=[[The Independent]]|accessdate=June 11, 2012 }}</ref> During the tournament, Sharapova was the [[List of flag bearers for Russia at the Olympics|inaugural female]] to bear the national flag at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] when she was asked by the [[Russian Olympic Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/olympics/blog/eye-on-olympics/19352136/maria-sharapova-to-carry-russian-flag-in-opening-ceremony|title=Maria Sharapova to carry Russian flag in opening ceremony|publisher=CBS Sports|author=Reid Cherner|date=June 14, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova then extended her win streak to 15 matches when she competed in the [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles#Section 1|Wimbledon Championships]] as a top seed career debut distinction. She was upset in the fourth round by 15th-seeded [[Sabine Lisicki]], whom she beat in the previous year's semifinals. Her No. 1 ranking was succeeded by Victoria Azarenka{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}}.
She made her Olympian debut at the [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics|2012 Summer Olympics]] in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/tennis/story/_/id/8229534/2012-london-olympics-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-play-gold-medal|title=Serena, Maria Sharapova in final|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=August 3, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In the quarterfinals, Sharapova defeated fellow former No. 1 [[Kim Clijsters]] to advance to the semifinals, where she faced her compatriot, [[Maria Kirilenko]]. Sharapova defeated Kirilenko to reach the Olympic final, where she lost to Serena Williams,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9452056/London-2012-Olympics-Serena-Williams-storms-to-gold-medal-as-she-thrashes-Maria-Sharapova-in-womens-final.html|title=London 2012 Olympics: Serena Williams storms to gold medal as she thrashes Maria Sharapova in women's final |accessdate=August 4, 2012}}</ref> marking her worst defeat by the American. With this performance, Sharapova overtook Agnieszka Radwańska as world No. 2.
Sharapova was seeded third at the [[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|US Open]], but had no hard-court tune-ups after the Olympics due to a stomach virus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/27/sports/la-sp-sn-sharapova-not-pregnant-20120827|title=Maria Sharapova isn't pregnant, denies Istanbul wedding rumor|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|author=Diane Pucin|date=August 27, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In the fourth round, [[Nadia Petrova]] took it to a third set and was winning until a rain delay. After the delay, Sharapova came back to win. In the quarterfinals, she faced [[Marion Bartoli]], who was 4–0 up before a rain delay, which delayed the match a whole day. Sharapova then came back from a set down to win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/8342222/2012-us-open-maria-sharapova-once-again-reigns-rain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907134135/http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/8342222/2012-us-open-maria-sharapova-once-again-reigns-rain |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 7, 2012 |title=Maria Sharapova reigns after rain |publisher=[[ESPN]] |author=Jane McManus |date=September 6, 2012 |accessdate=June 2, 2013 |df= }}</ref> In the semifinals, Sharapova lost to world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.
Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2012 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Singles|Toray Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo. She made it to the quarterfinals, losing to [[Samantha Stosur]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/172129.html|title= Sharapova and Azarenka out in Tokyo |publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=September 27, 2012|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref> At the [[2012 China Open – Women's Singles|China Open]] she was seeded second. In the finals she was again defeated by Azarenka.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.cntv.cn/program/sportsscene/20121008/104625.shtml|title=Azarenka overwhelms Sharapova to win China Open|publisher=China Central Television|date=October 8, 2012|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2012 WTA Tour Championships|year-end championships]] in Istanbul, where she was seeded [[2012 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|second]]. She defeated [[Sara Errani]], [[Agnieszka Radwańska]], and [[Samantha Stosur]] in the round-robin matches. In the semifinals, Sharapova beat Azarenka, bringing their head-to-head meetings to 7–5 in Azarenka's favour. Although Sharapova made it to the final, Azarenka clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking with her two round-robin wins. She lost to Serena Williams for the 13th consecutive time in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtachampionships.com/page/Scores/0,,12910,00.html |title=Scores |publisher=WTA |accessdate=June 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810072751/http://www.wtachampionships.com/page/Scores/0%2C%2C12910%2C00.html |archivedate=August 10, 2013 |df= }}</ref>
===2013: Third shoulder injury===
Sharapova's first scheduled tournament of the [[2013 WTA Tour|2013 season]] was the [[2013 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]], where she was seeded second. However, she withdrew from the tournament before it began, citing a collarbone injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/8798746/maria-sharapova-withdraws-brisbane-international-due-collarbone-pain|title=Maria Sharapova skips Brisbane|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=January 1, 2013|accessdate=March 22, 2013}}</ref> She started her season at the [[2013 Australian Open|Australian Open]] seeded second. She defeated [[Olga Puchkova]] and [[Misaki Doi]] in the first two rounds without losing a game in either match, the first time a player has won in back-to-back [[double bagel]]s at a Grand Slam tournament since the [[1985 Australian Open]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3042968/title/once-in-a-lifetime-for-sharapova|title=Once In A Lifetime For Sharapova|publisher=WTA|date=January 16, 2013|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova then defeated [[Venus Williams]], [[Kirsten Flipkens]], and [[Ekaterina Makarova]], where in losing nine games, she overtook [[Monica Seles]]' record of fewest games dropped heading into a Grand Slam semifinal.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21133423 Maria Sharapova and Li Na reach Australian Open semi-finals], BBC Sport, Retrieved January 22, 2013</ref> She lost to [[Li Na]] in the semifinals.
[[File:Maria Sharapova - Roland-Garros 2013 - 002.jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova at the French Open, May 2013]]
She reached the semifinals at the [[Qatar Total Open]], losing to [[Serena Williams]] for the 10th straight time in her career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/436019/20130216/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-wta-qatar-victoria.htm|title=Qatar Total Open: Williams Blasts Sharapova as New World Number One Rolls into Doha Final|publisher=International Business Times|author=Martin Baccardax|date=February 16, 2013|accessdate=May 22, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218071902/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/436019/20130216/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-wta-qatar-victoria.htm|archivedate=February 18, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Her next tournament was [[BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]], where she was seeded second. She received a bye into the second round and successfully reached the final without dropping a set, where she faced 2011 Indian wells champion and former world No. 1 [[Caroline Wozniacki]]. After an hour and twenty-one minutes, Sharapova won the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/9062961/maria-sharapova-wins-indian-wells-title-caroline-wozniacki|title=Maria Sharapova wins Indian Wells|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Martin Baccardax|date=March 17, 2013|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref> This was Maria's 28th career title and second at Indian Wells. Her win also made her the No. 2 player in the world behind [[Serena Williams]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennis.si.com/2013/03/17/sharapova-wins-indian-wells-bnp-wozniacki/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320110024/http://tennis.si.com/2013/03/17/sharapova-wins-indian-wells-bnp-wozniacki/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 20, 2013 |title=Maria Sharapova dominates Caroline Wozniacki for second Indian Wells title |publisher=SI.com |date=March 17, 2013 |accessdate=March 22, 2013 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ubitennis.com/english/sport/tennis/2013/03/21/862125-sharapova_aims_coast_coast_double.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606213820/http://www.ubitennis.com/english/sport/tennis/2013/03/21/862125-sharapova_aims_coast_coast_double.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2014|title=Sharapova aims for coast-to-coast double|publisher=Ubisporting|date=March 23, 2013|accessdate=March 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/03/17/sharapova-sails-past-wozniacki-in-indian-wells-final/|title=Sharapova sails past Wozniacki in Indian Wells final|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=March 17, 2013|accessdate=March 22, 2013}}</ref>
Maria then competed at the [[2013 Sony Open Tennis|Sony Open]]. Once again she reached the final without dropping a set and faced world No. 1 [[Serena Williams]]. Maria started the match strong, winning the first set. However, Serena won the second and dominated the third set. This was Maria's 11th consecutive loss against Serena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-madrid-final_n_3262472.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608141813/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-madrid-final_n_3262472.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |title=Serena Williams Beats Maria Sharapova To Win Madrid Open 2013, Retain No. 1 Ranking |author=Joseph Wilson |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=May 12, 2013 |accessdate=May 22, 2013 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1636598-serena-williams-vs-maria-sharapova-world-no-1-will-dominate-madrid-open-final|title=Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova: World No. 1 Will Dominate Madrid Open Final|publisher=Bleacher Report|author=Patrick Clarke|date=May 11, 2013|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref>
Next, she played at the indoor clay event in Stuttgart, where she was the defending champion. Maria was top seed and had a bye in the first round. Her first three matches were long three-setters: she first beat world No. 25 [[Lucie Šafářová]], dropping the second set on a tiebreak, then [[Ana Ivanovic]], then in the semifinals, she won against third seed [[Angelique Kerber]]. In the final, in what was her ninth victory against the Chinese out of 14 matches, she beat second seed world No. 5 [[Li Na]] in straight sets to win her 29th career title.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova beats Li Na to retain Stuttgart title|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22331232|accessdate=April 28, 2013}}</ref>
A week later, she competed at the [[2013 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]], reaching the final, again without dropping a set. She faced [[Serena Williams]] for the 15th time, losing for the 12th consecutive time in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2013/05/12/Serena-Williams-repeats-as-Madrid-Open-champion/UPI-57451368363562/|title=Serena Williams repeats as Madrid Open champion|publisher= United Press International|date=May 12, 2013|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>
Next, she played in Rome, where she was seeded second and had a bye in the first round. She beat 16th seed [[Sloane Stephens]] in straight sets (with the loss of three games) in the third round, but then did not play her quarterfinal match against seventh seed [[Sara Errani]] and retired from the tournament due to a viral illness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/17/sport/tennis/djokovic-nadal-tennis-sharapova|title=Djokovic loses at Rome Masters, hurting French Open preparations|publisher=CNN|date=May 18, 2013|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/05/17/serena-azarenka-reach-semis-sharapova-pulls-out-in-rome/|title=Serena, Azarenka reach semis; Sharapova pulls out in Rome|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=May 17, 2013|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref>
At the [[2013 French Open]], Sharapova reached the final again, beating Azarenka in three sets in the semifinals, but there she lost in straight sets to [[Serena Williams]]. At [[2013 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] she was comprehensively beaten in the second round by qualifier [[Michelle Larcher de Brito]]. Sharapova then returned to the tour at the [[2013 Western & Southern Open]], where she lost her opening match to Sloane Stephens in three sets. A week later Sharapova withdrew from the U.S. Open, citing a shoulder injury, which prematurely ended her season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova withdraws from the U.S. Open|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2013/08/21/maria-sharapova-withdraws-us-open/2683231/|work=USA Today|accessdate=August 22, 2013}}</ref>
===2014: Comeback and second French Open title===
{{main|2014 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova had not played since August 2013 due to a recurring shoulder injury and made her comeback at the [[2014 Brisbane International]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova to make tennis comeback at Brisbane International|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-to-make-tennis-comeback-at-brisbane-international/story-fndkzym4-1226759913966|publisher=News.com.au|accessdate=November 14, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova advanced to the semi-finals where she was beaten in straight sets by [[Serena Williams]]. At the [[2014 Australian Open]] Sharapova, ranked 3rd, was knocked out of the tournament in the 4th round by the 20th seed, and eventual finalist, [[Dominika Cibulková]]. Sharapova lost the match in 3 sets. Sharapova then participated in [[2014 Open GDF Suez – Singles|GDF Suez]] where she was upset in the semifinals to fellow Russian and eventual tournament winner [[Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova]] in three sets.
In March, playing in the [[2014 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells Masters]], she was beaten by 22-year-old Italian [[Camila Giorgi]] in the third round, in three sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennis.si.com/2014/03/10/maria-sharapova-camila-giorgi-indian-wells/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311045906/http://tennis.si.com/2014/03/10/maria-sharapova-camila-giorgi-indian-wells/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 11, 2014 |title=Maria Sharapova ousted by Camila Giorgi in third round at Indian Wells | Beyond The Baseline |publisher=Tennis.si.com |date= |accessdate=March 11, 2014}}</ref> Therefore, due to the WTA ranking system, this would mean another drop in ranking, bringing her to world No. 7. In April, she won [[Women's Stuttgart Open|Stuttgart Open]], her first title of the year and 30th of her career by defeating [[Ana Ivanovic]] in three sets. Stuttgart is the only tournament Sharapova has won three times. In May, Maria won the [[2014 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]], her second title of the year and first in [[Madrid]], defeating [[Simona Halep]] in three sets. With nine clay titles, she joins Venus Williams as the third most successful active player on the surface.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Sharapova-wins-Madrid-Open-title/articleshow/34985579.cms|title=Sharapova wins Madrid Open title|work=Times of India|accessdate=May 11, 2014}}</ref> Sharapova then competed in the [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] in Rome, where she made the third round. She lost to [[Ana Ivanovic]] in straight sets.
Sharapova was seeded 7th at 2014 French Open and defeated Ksenia Pervak, Tsvetana Pironkova, and Paula Ormaechea in the first 3 rounds, all in straight sets. In the fourth round she defeated Samantha Stosur, reeling off nine straight games from a set and 3–4 down. This marked her 14th win in 16 meetings with the Australian. In the quarters, she defeated [[Garbiñe Muguruza]], again coming back from a set down, to reach the semifinals at the French for the fourth consecutive year. In the semi-finals, she defeated [[Eugenie Bouchard]], once again coming back from a set down, to reach her third consecutive [[French Open]] final. In the final, she defeated [[Simona Halep]] in three sets to win her second French Open title and fifth overall Major title. This was the first time since 2001 where a third set was contested in the final. The match took just over three hours, and has been described as one of the best women's finals in recent years.
<ref>{{cite news|last1=Meyers|first1=Nalia-Jean|title=Maria Sharapova Wins French Open|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/sports/tennis/maria-sharapova-wins-french-open.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|accessdate=June 7, 2014}}</ref> The [[2014 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2014 Wimbledon Championships]] would be her next tournament, as Sharapova chose not to play a warm-up event before the third Grand Slam of the season gets underway.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2654515/Maria-Sharapova-hops-London-Underground-seeing-boyfriend-Grigor-Dimitrov-beat-James-Ward-Queens-Club.html#ixzz34HRs4TtE Maria Sharapova hops on the London Underground] Dailymail. June 10, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.</ref> At the [[2014 Wimbledon Championships]], Sharapova reached the fourth round, where she lost to German [[Angelique Kerber]], the ninth seed, in three sets.
Sharapova then played the [[2014 Rogers Cup]] in [[Montreal]] where she was the 4th seed. She received a first round bye and faced [[Garbiñe Muguruza]] in her opener, she won in 3 sets. In the following round she lost in 3 sets to Muguruza's compatriot, [[Carla Suárez Navarro]]. At the [[2014 Western & Southern Open]], Sharapova was seeded 5th and defeated [[Madison Keys]] after having a first round bye. She then went on to defeat Pavlyuchenkova and newly crowned world No. 2 [[Simona Halep]] to reach the last four. She faced Ivanovic again but lost in a roller coaster three-setter despite having two match points. Sharapova then travelled to New York for the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] where she was the 5th seed. She defeated compatriot [[Maria Kirilenko]] and Romanian [[Alexandra Dulgheru]] before overcoming 26th seeded German [[Sabine Lisicki]] in round 3 to set up a clash with [[Caroline Wozniacki]] in the round of 16. Sharapova lost to the Dane in 3 sets.
Sharapova next played the inaugural 2014 Wuhan open where she was seeded 4th. After receiving a first round bye, she defeated compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova in 3 sets and next faced [[Timea Bacsinszky]]. Although Sharapova won their 2 previous encounters, she was stunned by Timea in 2 tight sets, thus ending her campaign at the premier 5 tournament.
The following week, Sharapova played the China Open in Beijing, a Premier Mandatory-level tournament. Reaching the final without dropping a set, Sharapova defeated world No. 9 Ana Ivanovic in the semis. In the final, Sharapova met reigning Wimbledon champion and world No. 3 Petra Kvitová. Sharapova won the match in 2 hours 30 minutes, defeating the Czech in three sets. By virtue of the win, Sharapova's ranking rose from No. 4 to No. 2 in the world and she secured herself the second seeding for the WTA year-end Championship. Also, Sharapova closed in on the year-end number-one ranking spot, being just 467 points behind Williams.
Maria was ranked No. 2 heading into the WTA Tour Championships, with a chance of overtaking [[Serena Williams]] as world No. 1. She was drawn in the white group, with [[Petra Kvitová]], [[Agnieszka Radwańska]] and [[Caroline Wozniacki]]. Her first match was a three set loss to Wozniacki. Maria also lost her 2nd round robin match to Kvitová in straight sets; her first loss to Petra since 2011. Maria still had a chance of making the Semis, but she needed to beat Radwańska in two sets, and Wozniacki needed to beat Petra in straight sets as well. She ended her year with a win against Radwańska in three sets, finishing 3rd overall in the White group. She ended the year as world No. 2, behind [[Serena Williams]].
===2015: Fourth Australian Open final===
{{main|2015 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova kicked off her 2015 season at the Brisbane International where she was top seed and received a bye in the first round. Sharapova defeated Yaroslava Shvedova and Carla Suárez Navarro. In the semi finals, Sharapova faced Elina Svitolina, beating her in straight sets. Reaching the final without dropping a set, Sharapova played an intense match against second seed Ana Ivanovic but came through in three sets. This was Sharapova's 10th win over Ivanovic and by winning her 34th title, it meant that Sharapova has won at least one title every year for 13 consecutive years. Also, it was just her second title in Australia so far, and for both she beat Ivanovic. Sharapova's next tournament was the 2015 Australian Open, where she beat [[Petra Martić]] and fellow countrywoman [[Alexandra Panova]] (despite having two match points against her) in the first two rounds, before beating [[Zarina Diyas]] and [[Peng Shuai]] in straight sets. There, she beat seventh-seeded [[Eugenie Bouchard]] and fellow Russian [[Ekaterina Makarova]] in straight sets to make her fourth Australian Open final, where she lost to [[Serena Williams]] in straight sets, worsening her record against her to 2–17. In February, following her participation in the [[2015 Fed Cup|Fed Cup]], Sharapova played in [[2015 Abierto Mexicano Telcel|Acapulco]], where she beat [[Shelby Rogers]], [[Mariana Duque Mariño]] and [[Magdaléna Rybáriková]] to advance the semifinals. Sharapova later withdrew from her match against [[Caroline Garcia]], citing a stomach virus. Next, in [[2015 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]], she beat [[Yanina Wickmayer]] and [[Victoria Azarenka]] in straight sets, before losing to defending champion [[Flavia Pennetta]] in the fourth round in three sets. After receiving a bye in the first round of the [[2015 Miami Open|Miami Open]], Sharapova lost in the second round to fellow Russian [[Daria Gavrilova]] in straight sets, marking her earliest exit from the tournament since her first appearance in Miami in 2003.
Sharapova began her clay season in [[2015 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Stuttgart]] where she was the three-time defending champion. After receiving a first-round bye, she lost in the second round to [[Angelique Kerber]] in three sets, snapping Sharapova's win streak at the tournament and marking her first-ever loss at the tournament, having won it three times in a row ([[2012 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|2012]], [[2013 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|2013]], & [[2014 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|2014]]). The loss also snapped a 64 match win streak on clay where Sharapova won the first set and went on to win the match. The last time Sharapova lost a match on clay after winning the first set was against [[Dinara Safina]] in the fourth round at the [[2008 French Open]]. As a result of the loss Sharapova lost the No. 2 ranking to [[Simona Halep]]. Sharapova's next clay court tournament was the Madrid Open where she was the defending champion. She advanced to the semifinals. There, she was beaten by Svetlana Kuznetsova for the first time since 2008. Sharapova's next tournament was the Italian Open in Rome where she was seeded 3rd. She beat [[Victoria Azarenka]] in the quarterfinals in straight sets to set up a re-match with [[Daria Gavrilova]]. She beat Gavrilova in straight sets to advance to the final, where she faced [[Carla Suárez Navarro]]. After losing the first set, Sharapova managed to claim the next two sets and her third [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]] title. By winning Rome, Sharapova reclaimed the No. 2 ranking over Halep, until August 24, when Halep went again to world No. 2, due to Sharapova's not playing any match after [[2015 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] (where she reached the semifinals but lost to Serena), including US Open, due to injuries.
She then received a wildcard into [[2015 Wuhan Open|Wuhan Open]]<ref>{{cite web|title = Maria Sharapova To Come Back In Wuhan|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5016773/title/maria-sharapova-to-come-back-in-wuhan|website = Women's Tennis Association|accessdate = January 5, 2016}}</ref> and received a bye into the 2nd round. However, she retired in her match against [[Barbora Strýcová]] in the 3rd set, citing a left forearm injury.<ref>{{cite web|title = Injury Cuts Short Sharapova Comeback|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5033380/title/injury-cuts-short-sharapova-comeback|website = Women's Tennis Association|accessdate = January 5, 2016}}</ref> She then withdrew from the [[2015 China Open (tennis)|China Open]],<ref>{{cite web|title = Maria Sharapova Withdraws From Beijing|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5038315/title/maria-sharapova-withdraws-from-beijing|website = Women's Tennis Association|accessdate = January 5, 2016}}</ref> where she was the defending champion, to recover in time for the [[2015 WTA Finals|WTA Finals]] and the [[2015 Fed Cup World Group|Fed Cup final]]. At the [[2015 WTA Finals|WTA Finals]], she was drawn into the red group, alongside [[Simona Halep]], [[Agnieszka Radwańska]] and [[Flavia Pennetta]]. She then won all three of her round-robin matches, and achieved 1st position in her group. Her win over Pennetta also marked the last match of the Italian's career. Sharapova then played the player who finished 2nd in the White Group, [[Petra Kvitová]]. She lost the match in straight sets, despite having a 5–1 lead in the second set.
Sharapova then played in the [[2015 Fed Cup World Group|Fed Cup final]], winning both of her matches, against [[Karolína Plíšková]] and got revenge against [[Petra Kvitová]] for her loss in the WTA Finals. However, [[Russia Fed Cup team|Russia]] eventually lost 2–3 after falling in a crucial doubles rubber. The Russian ended the season as being the world No. 4, despite not playing the US Open Series and missing most of the Fall Asian Hardcourt season. She had a win-loss record of 39–9 and won 2 titles, reaching the second week in all of the Grand Slams she played.
===2016: More injuries and doping suspension===
Sharapova began her 2016 season at the [[2016 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]] where she was the defending champion. She would have faced [[Ekaterina Makarova]] in the 1st round, but withdrew hours before the match, citing a left forearm injury, and was replaced by [[Margarita Gasparyan]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Halep & Sharapova Out Of Brisbane|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5250538/title/halep-sharapova-out-of-brisbane|website = Women's Tennis Association|accessdate = January 5, 2016}}</ref>
Due to Agnieszka Radwańska winning the Shenzhen Open, Sharapova was seeded fifth at the [[2016 Australian Open|Australian Open]]. She was drawn to face [[Nao Hibino]] in the first round and won in straight sets. She then won her second round match against [[Aliaksandra Sasnovich]], also in straight sets. Sharapova then lost her first set in the tournament as she defeated [[Lauren Davis]] in three sets. In the fourth round, she then played her first career match against [[Belinda Bencic]] and won in two tight sets over two hours of play. Sharapova then faced [[Serena Williams]] in the quarterfinal, a repeat of the previous year's final. Although she started the match brightly, she was defeated in straight sets. She failed to defend her finalist points from the previous year, and fell to sixth in the rankings after the tournament.
After the Australian Open, Sharapova was nominated by team captain [[Anastasia Myskina]] to play the [[2016 Fed Cup World Group|Fed Cup]], but she had a forearm injury and was only listed for the doubles match.<ref>{{cite web|title = Sharapova to Sit out Fed Cup Singles – Tennis Now|url = http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2016/February/Sharapova-to-Sit-out-Fed-Cup-Singles.aspx|website = www.tennisnow.com|access-date = February 6, 2016}}</ref> Russia lost the first three matches and chose [[Ekaterina Makarova|Makarova]] to replace Sharapova for the dead doubles match. In the end, Russia lost 3–1 but by being nominated for the match, Sharapova successfully qualified for the [[Tennis at the 2016 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]] having played sufficient Fed Cup matches to meet the criteria.
Citing the left forearm injury sustained at the start of the year, Sharapova withdrew from the [[2016 Qatar Total Open|Qatar Open]],<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5337381/title/sharapova-out-of-doha|title = Sharapova Out Of Doha|website = Women's Tennis Association|accessdate = February 27, 2016}}</ref> and a week before the [[2016 BNP Paribas Open|BNP Paribas Open]], she withdrew from that for the same reason.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5391658/title/sharapova-out-of-indian-wells|title=Sharapova Out Of Indian Wells|website=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>
Following a failed drug test from the [[2016 Australian Open]], in which she tested positive for [[meldonium]], a substance that had been banned, effective January 1, 2016 by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Sharapova was provisionally suspended from competitive tennis with effect from March 12.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/news/225826.aspx|title=Press release: Tennis Anti-Doping Programme statement regarding Maria Sharapova|website=www.itftennis.com|access-date=March 17, 2016}}</ref> On June 8 she was banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36482288|title=Maria Sharapova: Russian banned for two years for failed drugs test|publisher=BBC Sport|date=June 8, 2016|accessdate=June 8, 2016}}</ref> Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko has implied that Sharapova was targeted due to the political crisis in Russian-American relations.<ref>Barabash, Taras. [http://rsport.ru/tennis/20160616/947053301.html Допинг-пробу у Шараповой брали намеренно, ее адвокат должен это понимать – Мутко]. ''R-Sport.'' 2016-06-16. ([http://rbth.com/sport/2016/06/17/russian-sports-minister-sharapovas-lawyers-followed-the-hollywood-script_603791 partial English translation])</ref> In October 2016, Sharapova's ban was reduced from 24 months (2 years) to 15 months, starting from January 26, 2016, the date of the drug test she had failed.
===2017: Return from suspension, first WTA title in two years===
Sharapova returned to the WTA tour in April 2017. She was given wild cards to compete in the following three WTA tournaments: [[Women's Stuttgart Open]], [[Madrid Open (tennis)|Madrid Open]] and [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]]. She played her first match of her comeback on April 26 at the [[2017 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]], a tournament that she had previously won on three occasions. Her first round opponent was Italian [[Roberta Vinci]], who she went on to defeat in straight sets to advance to the second round, making it her first victory since her return.<ref name="return">{{cite web|title=Sharapova soars past Vinci in Stuttgart opener.|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/maria-sharapova-soars-past-roberta-vinci-stuttgart-opener-porsche-tennis-grand-prix|publisher=WTA|accessdate=26 April 2017|date=26 April 2017}}</ref> In her on-court interview Sharapova said, "The first few seconds before you enter the arena – it's been a stage of mine since I was a young girl – I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."<ref name="return"/> She followed it up with another straight sets victory over countrywoman [[Ekaterina Makarova]] in the second round. In the quarterfinals, she defeated qualifier [[Anett Kontaveit]] in straight sets, before losing to [[Kristina Mladenovic]] in the semifinals.
Sharapova then took part in the [[2017 Mutua Madrid Open]] where she beat [[Mirjana Lučić-Baroni]] in three sets. Sharapova played a second round encounter with [[Eugenie Bouchard]] which after three sets Sharapova lost.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/05/08/maria-sharapova-vs-eugenie-bouchard-live/|title=Eugenie Bouchard stuns Maria Sharapova and claims 'a lot of players had privately wished me good luck'|last=Eccleshare|first=Charlie|date=2017-05-08|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2019-02-21|last2=Sport|first2=Telegraph|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In the [[2017 Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] opening match she defeated [[Christina McHale]] in straight sets. In her next match, she again faced the 16th seed [[Mirjana Lučić-Baroni]] in a rematch of their encounter in Madrid. At one set apiece, Sharapova needed a medical timeout for her thigh, which ultimately forced her to retire in the third set.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} Just before the players came on court, French Federation president Bernard Giudicelli announced that Sharapova would not be receiving a wildcard in the main draw or the qualifying draw, preventing her from playing in the [[2017 French Open – Women's Singles|2017 French Open]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova: French Open decides against giving former champion a wildcard|url=http://m.bbc.com/sport/tennis/39932614|work=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2017|accessdate=22 August 2017}}</ref>
Sharapova then received a wildcard to play [[2017 Aegon Classic Birmingham|Birmingham Classic]]. However, the same thigh injury at the [[2017 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Italian Open]] forced her to withdraw from the entire grass season, including the Wimbledon qualifying rounds. Sharapova was given another wildcard at the [[2017 Bank of the West Classic|Stanford Classic]], her first hard court tournament since the [[2016 Australian Open]]. Her first round opponent was [[Jennifer Brady (tennis)|Jennifer Brady]], whom she defeated in three sets. The win also pushed Sharapova back inside the top 150. Sharapova withdrew from the next round with a left arm injury. She was set to make a return at the [[2017 Rogers Cup|Canadian Open]], where she had received a wildcard, but ultimately withdraw due to a left arm injury. She was set to play the [[2017 Western & Southern Open|Cincinnati Open]] as a wildcard but pulled out to be fully fit for the [[2017 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], which had also granted Sharapova a wildcard entry. She opened the US Open against world No. 2 [[Simona Halep]], and won in three sets, her first US Open win since the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|2014 US Open]]. In second round she defeated [[Tímea Babos]], coming from a set down to win in three. In the third round, she played the American wildcard [[Sofia Kenin]], an 18-year-old who was making her first main draw appearance in a major. Sharapova defeated the teenager in tight straight sets to advance to the second week of the [[2017 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. She was defeated by 16th seed [[Anastasija Sevastova]] from Latvia in the fourth round.
Sharapova received and accepted wildcards to enter the [[2017 China Open – Women's Singles|China Open]] and [[2017 Tianjin Open – Singles|Tianjin Open]], both held in China. In her opening match at the China Open, Sharapova once again faced Sevastova, this time prevailing in a three-hour, three-set match. In the second round, Sharapova defeated Ekaterina Makarova, seeing her move back into the top 100 for the first time since before her suspension. In the third round, Sharapova lost to Simona Halep in straight sets, marking her first loss to the Romanian after seven consecutive victories. Sharapova then remained in China for the Tianjin Open, which was her first appearance at the tournament. Sharapova went on to win the tournament, marking her first WTA title since 2015, without dropping a set, including coming back from 1–4 down in the first set and 1–5 down in the second set against 19-year-old [[Aryna Sabalenka]] in the final. The result saw her eventually climb the rankings into the top 60, and she later received another wildcard to enter the [[2017 Kremlin Cup – Women's Singles|2017 Kremlin Cup]]. Sharapova recorded her first opening round loss since 2013, with a straight-sets loss to eighth seed [[Magdaléna Rybáriková]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/310137/title/Maria-Sharapova |title=Sharapova stats}}</ref>
=== 2018: Return to top 25 and French Open quarterfinal ===
Sharapova began her 2018 season at the [[2018 WTA Shenzhen Open|Shenzhen Open]]. She defeated [[Mihaela Buzarnescu]], [[Alison Riske]] and [[Zarina Diyas]] to advance to the semifinals, where she fell to defending champion [[Katerina Siniakova]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Siniakova supreme over Sharapova to make second straight Shenzhen final|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/siniakova-supreme-over-sharapova-make-second-straight-shenzhen-final|date=5 January 2018|accessdate=10 January 2018}}</ref> Sharapova then returned to the [[2018 Australian Open|Australian Open]] for the first time since her suspension, defeating [[Tatjana Maria]] and [[Anastasija Sevastova]] in the opening two rounds, before losing to [[Angelique Kerber]] in straight sets in the third round.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerber quells Sharapova in battle of former Aussie champs|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-quells-sharapova-battle-former-aussie-champs|date=20 January 2018|accessdate=20 January 2018}}</ref> Sharapova received a wildcard to enter the [[Qatar Ladies Open|Qatar Open]], losing in three sets to [[Monica Niculescu]] in the opening round. Sharapova pulled out of the [[Dubai Tennis Championships]] due to citing a forearm strain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/02/sharapova-commits-52-unforced-errors-loss-niculescu-doha/72055/|title=Sharapova commits 52 unforced errors in loss to Niculescu in Doha|work=Tennis.com|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> Sharapova played the [[Indian Wells Masters|Indian Wells Open]] falling in the opening round to [[Naomi Osaka]] in straight sets. Sharapova was set to play the [[Miami Open (tennis)|Miami Open]] but withdrew due to a forearm injury.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/osaka-overcomes-frustrated-sharapova-indian-wells|title=Osaka overcomes 'frustrated' Sharapova in Indian Wells|last=Juzwiak|first=Jason|date=2018-03-08|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref>
Sharapova started her clay court season at the [[2018 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]]. Sharapova faced sixth seed [[Caroline Garcia]] in the opening round but lost in three tight sets. This was her fourth consecutive loss, marking her fall out of the top 50. Sharapova ended her losing streak with a straight sets win over [[Mihaela Buzărnescu]] at the [[Madrid Open]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/sharapova-snaps-losing-streak-madrid-blasts-past-buzarnescu|title=Sharapova snaps losing streak in Madrid, blasts past Buzarnescu|last=Kane|first=David|date=2018-05-06|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref> Sharapova defeated [[Irina-Camelia Begu]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2018/05/08/912092-wta-madrid-sharapova-overcomes-huge-scare-storms-past-begu-in-straight-sets.html|title=WTA Madrid: Sharapova overcomes huge scare, storms past Begu in straight sets|last=Han|first=Don|date=2018-05-08|work=VAVEL.com|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en-us}}</ref> and [[Kristina Mladenovic]] in straight sets to advance to quarterfinals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/sharapova-powers-mladenovic-revenge-madrid|title=Sharapova powers to Mladenovic revenge in Madrid|last=Livaudais|first=Stephanie|date=2018-05-09|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref> Sharapova fell to [[Kiki Bertens]] in three sets, despite the loss, she climbed back inside the top 40. Sharapova began her [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] campaign with a three set win over 16th seed [[Ashleigh Barty]]. In the second round, Sharapova defeated [[Dominika Cibulková]] in three sets,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/bertens-seals-sharapova-madrid-comeback-win|title=Bertens seals Sharapova in Madrid comeback win|last=Kane|first=David|date=2018-05-10|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref> following it up with a straight sets victory over [[Daria Gavrilova]] in the third round. From a set down, she went on to defeat world No. 5 [[Jelena Ostapenko]] in the quarterfinals. Despite taking the opening set in the semifinals, Sharapova's run in Rome ended with a three set loss to world No. 1 [[Simona Halep]]. Despite the loss, her performance improved her ranking inside the top 30 and being seeded for the first time since her suspension at the [[2016 Australian Open]]. Sharapova began her [[2018 French Open]] campaign with a three set win over [[Richèl Hogenkamp]] and continued with a straight sets win over Croatia's [[Donna Vekic]] in the second round. In the third round, she defeated world No. 6 [[Karolína Plíšková]] in straight sets to advance to the second week of the [[French Open]]. In the fourth round, Sharapova was set to play [[Serena Williams]], but Williams withdrew due to injury, giving Sharapova a walkover into her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since the [[2016 Australian Open]]. Sharapova's run ended with a straight sets loss to world No. 3 [[Garbiñe Muguruza]] in the quarterfinals.
Sharapova was set to play the [[Birmingham Classic (tennis)|Birmingham Classic]] but withdrew to fully recover ahead of [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]. Sharapova played two exhibition matches, losing her debut to Greece's [[Maria Sakkari]] but defeating [[Natalia Vikhlyantseva]]. Sharapova exited [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] with a three set lost to [[Vitalia Diatchenko]] despite being up a set and serving for the match. This marked her worst Grand Slam result since the [[2010 Australian Open]] and her first ever opening round loss at [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]. Sharapova was set to play at the [[Silicon Valley Classic]] but withdrew due to a change in her schedule. Sharapova played at the [[Rogers Cup]] and recorded straight sets wins over [[Sesil Karatantcheva]] and [[Daria Kasatkina]]. Sharapova fell in the third round with a straight sets loss to World No.6 [[Caroline Garcia]]. Sharapova was set to play at the [[Western & Southern Open]] but withdrew before the tournament started. Sharapova began her [[2018 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] campaign in the opening round, with a straight set win over [[Patty Schnyder]]. Sharapova continued her run with straight set wins over [[Sorana Cîrstea]] and [[Jelena Ostapenko]]. In the fourth round, Sharapova's run ended with a straight sets loss to [[Carla Suárez Navarro]]. This marked the first time Sharapova had lost in the night session at [[Arthur Ashe Stadium]], previously having a 22–0 record. Sharapova ended her season with withdraws at the [[China Open (tennis)|China Open]], [[Tianjin Open]] and [[Kremlin Cup]] with a right shoulder injury. Sharapova ended the season inside the top 30, ranked 29.
===2019: 800th match and more injuries===
Sharapova began her 2019 season at the [[2019 WTA Shenzhen Open|Shenzhen Open]]. In the opening round, she defeated [[Timea Bacsinszky]] in straight sets which was also her 800th career singles match. In the second round, Sharapova defeated [[Wang Xinyu]] after Wang retired in the second set. In the quarterfinals, Sharapova lost to [[Aryna Sabalenka]] after she retired in the second set. Sharapova started her [[2019 Australian Open|Australian Open]] campaign without the loss of a game in a win over [[Harriet Dart]]. Sharapova followed up with a straight set win over [[Rebecca Peterson]] and a three set victory over defending champion [[Caroline Wozniacki]]. Sharapova's run ended with a three set loss to [[Ashleigh Barty]] in the fourth round. Sharapova recorded her first win in Russia in thirteen years with a straight sets win over [[Daria Gavrilova]] at the [[2019 St. Petersburg Ladies' Trophy]]. Sharapova withdrew from her second round match against [[Daria Kasatkina]]. Sharapova was set to play at the [[Indian Wells Masters|Indian Wells Open]] and [[Miami Open (tennis)|Miami Open]] but withdrew before the tournaments started due to a shoulder injury for which she stated she was to have minor surgery. Sharapova later withdrew from the [[Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]], [[Madrid Open]], [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] and [[French Open]] due to not being able to compete at her highest level because of her lingering shoulder injury.
Sharapova made a return after being away for over four months, in the grasscourt season at the [[Mallorca Open]] where she received a wild card. In the opening round, Sharapova defeated [[Viktória Kužmová]] in straight sets and recorded her first grasscourt win since 2015. Sharapova's run ended in the second round with a straight sets lost to [[Angelique Kerber]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Kerber seals rival Sharapova in Mallorca | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-seals-rival-sharapova-mallorca | work=WTA Tennis | date = 20 June 2019 | accessdate = 26 June 2019}}</ref> In the opening round at [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Sharapova retired in the third set against [[Pauline Parmentier]], despite being up a set and a break during the second set. Sharapova lost in the opening round of the [[Rogers Cup]] to [[Anett Kontaveit]] in three sets. Sharapova ended her three match losing streak with a straight sets win over [[Alison Riske]] in the opening round of the [[Western & Southern Open]]. In the second round, Sharapova was defeated by [[Ashleigh Barty]] in straight sets. Sharapova fell in the opening round of the [[2019 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] to eventual finalist [[Serena Williams]] in straight sets, it was also her final match of the year. She ended the year ranked no. 131, her lowest year-end ranking since 2002.
=== 2020: Retirement ===
Sharapova began her 2020 season at an exhibition tournament in [[Abu Dhabi]], where she defeated [[Ajla Tomljanović]] in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bestsport.news/sharapova-won-tomljanovic-exhibition-tournament-in-abu-dhabi/|title=Sharapova won Tomljanovic exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi|last=News|first=Best Sport|date=2019-12-20|website=Best Sport News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> Although she was scheduled to play exhibition at the [[Hawaii Open]] a week later, she pulled out of the tournament because she was unprepared.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/maria-sharapova-announces-sad-news-ahead-of-australian-open-2020/|title=Maria Sharapova Announces Sad News Ahead Of Australian Open 2020|last=Sharma|first=Aryan|date=2019-12-27|website=Essentially Sports|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> Sharapova received a wildcard at the [[Brisbane International]] and fell in the opening round to [[Jennifer Brady (tennis)|Jennifer Brady]] in three sets. Sharapova participated at the [[Kooyong Classic]], where her opening match against [[Laura Siegemund]] was stopped after the completion the second set due to heavy smoke, before being defeated by Tomljanović in the second round. As a wildcard at the [[2020 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2020 Australian Open]], Sharapova was defeated in straight sets by [[Donna Vekić]] in the first round. This marked her third consecutive first-round loss at a Grand Slam tournament and, following the tournament, her ranking fell to no. 369, her lowest ranking since August 2002.
That defeat to Vekic in Melbourne would prove to be Sharapova's final match of her career, as on 26th February 2020, Sharapova announced her retirement from tennis. In an essay to [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]], Sharapova wrote: "I'm new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis – I'm saying goodbye. But as I embark on my next chapter, I want anyone who dreams of excelling in anything to know that doubt and judgement are inevitable. You will fail hundreds of times and the world will watch you. Accept it. Trust yourself. I promise you that you will prevail."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/02/maria-sharapova-steps-away-from-the-game|title=Exclusive: “Tennis—I’m Saying Goodbye.” After 28 Years and Five Grand Slams, Maria Sharapova Steps Away From The Game|website=Vanity Fair|date=26 February 2020}}</ref>
==WADA substance controversy==
{{wikinews|International Tennis Federation bans Sharapova for two years after positive drug test}}
On March 7, 2016, Sharapova revealed that she had failed a [[drug test]] at the [[2016 Australian Open]], which she described as the result of an oversight.<ref name=BBCMar16>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/35750285|title=Maria Sharapova failed drugs test at Australian Open|date=March 7, 2016|work=BBC News Online|accessdate=March 7, 2016}}</ref> Sharapova admitted to testing positive for [[meldonium]], an [[ischemia|anti-ischemic]] drug usually prescribed for heart conditions that was added to the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA)'s banned substances list on January 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://swimswam.com/blood-flow-drug-meldonium-added-to-wadas-banned-substances-list/ | title=Blood-Flow Drug Meldonium Added to WADA's Banned Substances List | accessdate=March 7, 2016}}</ref> Sharapova was provisionally suspended by the [[International Tennis Federation]] (ITF) from playing tennis effective from March 12, 2016. She later released a statement regarding the test and explaining her use of the medicine:
<blockquote>I received a letter from the ITF that I failed a drugs test at the Australian Open. I take full responsibility for it. For the past ten years I have been given a medicine called mildronate by my family doctor and a few days ago after I received the ITF letter I found out that it also has another name of meldonium which I did not know. It is very important for you to understand that for ten years this medicine was not on WADA's banned list and I had legally been taking the medicine for the past ten years. But on January 1st [2016] the rules had changed and meldonium became a prohibited substance which I had not known. I was given this medicine by my doctor for several health issues that I was having in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-fails-drug-test-her-statement-in-full-after-testing-positive-for-meldonium-a6917911.html|title=Maria Sharapova fails drug test: Her statement in full after admitting testing positive for meldonium|publisher=Independent.co.uk|date=7 March 2016}}</ref></blockquote>
Meldonium is not approved for use in the [[United States]], Sharapova's country of residence;<ref name="RFER Kalvins">{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/sharapova-drug-meldonium-mildronate-not-doping-latvian-inventor/27603162.html|title='Sharapova Drug' Is Not Doping, Says Its Latvian Inventor|publisher=rferl.org|accessdate=March 14, 2016}}</ref> however, it is legal to use in [[Russia]], the country that Sharapova represents in tennis.<ref name="wjla">{{cite web | url=http://wjla.com/news/nation-world/sharapova-calls-news-conference-to-make-major-announcement | title=I made a huge mistake | accessdate=March 24, 2016}}</ref> The drug's inventor [[Ivars Kalviņš]] said that he did not think taking it should be construed as "doping",<ref name="RFER Kalvins"/> but he also said that it "is very popular among athletes" and was used by the Soviet military for "optimizing the use of oxygen" and that it "allows athletes to train under maximum strain".<ref name="RFER Kalvins"/> [[Don Catlin]], a long-time anti-doping expert and the scientific director of the Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) stated that "There's really no evidence that there's any performance enhancement from meldonium – Zero percent."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-18/holmes-when-wada-goes-rogue/7334952|title=When WADA goes rogue: how the anti-doping agency got it wrong|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=18 Apr 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/04/05/meldonium-experts-wada-performance-enhancing-drug/82663156/|title=Experts say there's little evidence meldonium enhances performance|author=Rachel Axon|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=April 5, 2016}}</ref>
Sharapova said that she had been taking the drug to treat magnesium deficiency, an irregular EKG and family history of diabetes,<ref name="Reuters sponsors">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/tennis-sharapova-idUSKCN0WA1XU|title=Sponsors back away from Sharapova after failed drug test|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=March 8, 2016}}</ref> and indicated that she had not read an email informing her that meldonium had been banned for use in tennis. Meldonium's addition was outlined on a WADA and [[United States Anti-Doping Agency]] summary document<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/maria-sharapova-drug-bombshell-what-happens-to-tennis-superstar-after-positive-meldonium-test/news-story/dfc1c781281cbc64367832955766c8bc |title=Maria Sharapova drug bombshell: What happens to tennis superstar after positive Meldonium test? |publisher=Foxsports (Australia) |date=March 9, 2016 |accessdate=March 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usada.org/substances/prohibited-list/major-changes-2016-prohibited-list/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319233235/http://www.usada.org/substances/prohibited-list/major-changes-2016-prohibited-list/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 19, 2016 |title=Major Changes – 2016 WADA Prohibited List |publisher=USADA |accessdate=March 15, 2016}}</ref> and it has been reported that all tennis players were warned five times that it was due to be banned.<ref name="stuff warnings">{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/77730102/former-wada-president-dick-pound-rips-maria-sharapova-how-stupid-can-you-be |title=Maria Sharapova has 'no excuses' for missing five warnings about meldonium ban |work=stuff.co.nz |date=March 12, 2016 |accessdate=March 11, 2016}}</ref> On March 11, 2016, Sharapova denied reports about the five missed warnings via [[Facebook]]:
<blockquote>That's a distortion of the actual "communications" which were provided or simply posted onto a webpage. I make no excuses for not knowing about the ban. The other "communications"? They were buried in newsletters, websites, or handouts (many of them technical, in small print). I didn't take the medicine every day. I took it the way my doctor recommended I take it and I took it in the low doses recommended. I'm proud of how I have played the game. I have been honest and upfront. I won't pretend to be injured so I can hide the truth about my testing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-denies-missing-warnings-about-meldonium-20160312-gnh8yh.html|title=Maria Sharapova denies missing warnings about meldonium|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=March 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/12/maria-sharapova-denies-warned-five-times-meldonium|title=Maria Sharapova denies reports she was warned five times over meldonium|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=March 11, 2016}}</ref></blockquote>
Most fellow tennis players reacted to Sharapova's announcement with little support or sympathy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2016/04/05/tennis-world-continues-hate-maria-sharapova/|title=Tennis world shuns Maria Sharapova|work=The New Daily Australia|date=April 5, 2016|accessdate=April 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11614009|title=Tennis: Why no one likes Maria Sharapova|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=March 30, 2016|accessdate=March 30, 2016}}</ref> [[John McEnroe]] and [[Pat Cash]] said they found it hard to believe her.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/tennis/mcenroe-doesnt-believe-sharapova-790798|title=McEnroe doesn't believe Sharapova |work=The Daily Star Bangladesh|date=March 14, 2016|accessdate=March 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pat Cash: I find it hard to believe Sharapova|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03lyp7y|publisher=BBC|date=March 9, 2016}}</ref> [[Jennifer Capriati]] posted on [[Twitter]] that she should be stripped of her 35 professional titles.<ref name="ABC strip">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-08/maria-sharapova-jennifer-capriati-twitter-drug-test/7229972 |title=Maria Sharapova: Jennifer Capriati launches Twitter attack on Russian tennis player after drug test announcement |work=ABC News (Australia) |date=March 8, 2016 |accessdate=March 9, 2016}}</ref> [[Chris Evert]] expressed her surprise at the lack of support in tennis for Sharapova, noting that she "[had] always isolated herself from the rest of the tennis world, from the players".<ref>{{cite news|quote=Whether it's shock or whether they don't want to become involved or have an opinion about it. It's sort of surprising that not a lot of players have shown their support for her.|title=Muted response from rivals is because Maria Sharapova has no friends on tour: Evert|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/muted-response-from-rivals-is-because-maria-sharapova-has-no-friends-on-tour-evert/news-story/25942ce807c2b28b0038b11f981bba5d|work=Foxsports|date=March 10, 2016|accessdate=March 27, 2016}}</ref> [[Serena Williams]] expressed surprise at Sharapova's announcement but commended her for being "upfront with what she had done".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/09/sports/tennis/serena-williams-says-sharapovas-announcement-surprised-her.html|title=Serena Williams Says Sharapova's Announcement Surprised Her|work=The New York Times|date=March 8, 2016|accessdate=March 26, 2016}}</ref> [[Roger Federer]], [[Rafael Nadal]] and [[Andy Murray]] all publicly condemned Sharapova and argued that she deserved to be punished on the basis that she failed the doping test,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11603707|title=Nadal: Sharapova should be punished|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=March 11, 2016|accessdate=March 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name="National Murray">{{cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/tennis/andy-murray-joins-rafael-nadal-in-calls-for-maria-sharapova-to-face-punishment|title=Andy Murray joins Rafael Nadal in calls for Maria Sharapova to face punishment|work=The National|date=March 11, 2016|accessdate=March 13, 2016}}</ref> with Murray adding that "Taking a drug you don't necessarily need because it's legal is wrong"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsjs.com/url.php?p=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/tennis/taking-a-drug-you-dont-necessarily-need-because-its-legal-is-wrong-andy-murray-on-sharapova-ban-34530253.html|title='Taking a drug you don't necessarily need because it's legal is wrong' – Andy Murray on Sharapova ban|work=Irish Independent|date=March 10, 2016|accessdate=March 26, 2016}}</ref> and Federer stating that "Whether it's intentional or not, I don't see too much difference. You must be 100 percent about what you are taking".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/06/federer-calls-zero-tolerance-following-news-sharapovas-two-year-ban/58937/#.V2c_BJMrJ0c|title=Federer calls for 'zero tolerance' following news of Sharapova's two-year ban|work=Tennis.com|date=June 9, 2016|accessdate=June 19, 2016}}</ref> Sharapova's case prompted Federer to urge the tennis federation to conduct more anti-doping tests.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Sports/2016-03-27/Shocked-Federer-breaks-silence-on-Sharapova-doping-scandal/216707|title=Shocked Federer breaks silence on Sharapova doping scandal|work=The Hans India|date=March 27, 2016|accessdate=April 6, 2016}}</ref> [[Novak Djokovic]] said that he felt sorry for her, but that she must still be ready for punishment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-tennis-no-tears-are-shed-for-maria-sharapova-1457739940|title=In Tennis, No Tears Are Shed for Maria Sharapova|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=March 11, 2016|accessdate=March 29, 2016}}</ref> The [[Russian Tennis Federation]] strongly defended Sharapova, describing the positive drug test as "nonsense" and adding that they expected Sharapova to be available for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Maria Sharapova provisionally banned from tennis after revealing failed drugs test|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/07/maria-sharapova-failed-drugs-test-australian-open-2016-tennis|publisher=The Guardian|date=March 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Maria Sharapova to play Fed Cup, ensure Olympic place; no Tokyo 2020?|url = http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/02/05/maria-sharapova-fed-cup-doubles-olympics-russia-tennis/|website = OlympicTalk|access-date = February 7, 2016|first = Nick|last = Zaccardi}}</ref>
As a result of the failed drug test, [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] and [[TAG Heuer]] suspended their relationships with Sharapova, while [[Porsche]] postponed promotional work.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maria Sharapova: Nike suspends contract with Russian over drugs test|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35751916|accessdate=March 8, 2016|work=BBC|date=March 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name=gaur>{{cite news|last1=Gibson|first1=Owen|last2=Cambers|first2=Simon|title=Maria Sharapova under pressure over meldonium use as sponsors flee|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/08/maria-sharapova-meldonium-drug-test-sponsors|accessdate=March 8, 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 8, 2016}}</ref> Racquet manufacturer [[Head (company)|HEAD]] stood by Sharapova, saying, "We look forward to working with her", and announced that they intended to extend their contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Head stand by Maria Sharapova after failed drug test: 'We look forward to working with her'|url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/tennis/head-stand-by-maria-sharapova-after-failed-drug-test-we-look-forward-to-working-with-her|work=The National|date=March 10, 2016|accessdate=March 12, 2016}}</ref> They also suggested that WADA should prove scientifically why the drug should be banned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35785322|title=Maria Sharapova: Head questions Wada's stance on meldonium|publisher=BBC|accessdate=March 11, 2016}}</ref> The [[United Nations Development Programme]] suspended Sharapova from her role as a goodwill ambassador on March 16, while expressing thanks for her support of their work over the previous nine years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/tennis/united-nations-suspends-maria-sharapova-s-role-as-goodwill-ambassador/story-XCGrbYEAL1AVSHUHHlCySO.html|title=United Nations suspends Maria Sharapova's role as goodwill ambassador |work=Hindustantimes|date=March 16, 2016|accessdate=March 16, 2016}}</ref>
On April 12, WADA intimated that athletes who tested positive for meldonium before March 1 could avoid bans, but the International Tennis Federation said that Sharapova's case would proceed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/36045637 |title=Meldonium: Maria Sharapova faces hearing despite new Wada guidance |publisher=BBC News |date=April 14, 2016 |accessdate=April 16, 2016}}</ref> On June 8, the ITF announced that Sharapova would be suspended for two years. Sharapova indicated she would appeal the ban.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com/tennis/story/maria-sharapova-drug-test-ban-two-years-meldonium-060816 |title=Maria Sharapova banned from tennis for two years for positive drug test |publisher=FOX Sports |date=June 8, 2016 |accessdate=June 8, 2016}}</ref>
Following a hearing on 7 and 8 September 2016, the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] (CAS) panel found that Sharapova had a reduced perception of the risk that she took while using Mildronate, because (a) she had used Mildronate for around ten years without any anti-doping issue, (b) she had consulted the Russian doctor who prescribed the Mildronate for medical reasons, not to enhance her performance, and (c) she had received no specific warning about the change in status of meldonium from WADA, the ITF, or the WTA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/media/243891/243891.pdf|title=CAS 2016/A/4643 Maria Sharapova v. International Tennis Federation|publisher=itftennis.com|accessdate=October 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tas-cas.org/en/general-information/news-detail/article/cas-reduces-the-ban-of-maria-sharapova-to-fifteen-months.html|title=CAS reduces the ban of Maria Sharapova to fifteen months|publisher=tas-cas.org|accessdate= 4 October 2016}}</ref> However, the CAS panel also noted Sharapova's failure to disclose her use of meldonium on her doping control forms and that she was at fault for (a) failing to give her agent adequate instructions as to how to carry out the important task of checking the Prohibited List, and (b) failing to supervise and control the actions of her agent in carrying out that task (specifically the lack of any procedure for reporting or follow-up verification to make sure that her agent had actually discharged his duty).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/news/243888.aspx|title=CAS decision in the case of Maria Sharapova|publisher=ITFTennis.com|accessdate= Oct 4, 2016}}</ref>
On October 4, the CAS reduced the sanction imposed on Sharapova by an Independent Tribunal from 24 months to 15 months.<ref name="WTATennis.com"/> CAS has released a statement on its official website stating:<ref name="edition.cnn.com"/>
<blockquote>Ms. Sharapova committed an anti-doping rule violation and that while it was with "no significant fault", she bore some degree of fault, for which a sanction of 15 months is appropriate.</blockquote>
==Fed Cup participation==
Sharapova has lived in the United States since moving there at the age of seven, but retains her Russian citizenship, and is therefore eligible to play in the [[Fed Cup]] for Russia.<ref name="pravda">{{cite web|url=http://english.pravda.ru/society/stories/11-10-2005/9051-sharapova-0/|title=Maria Sharapova unwilling to trade her Russian citizenship for anything|publisher=[[Pravda]]|date=October 11, 2005|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> However, the behavior of Sharapova's father during her matches on the WTA Tour, combined with a perceived lack of commitment by her to the Fed Cup, has made her selection for the [[Russia Fed Cup team|Russian Fed Cup team]] controversial in the past.
After Sharapova had beaten fellow Russian [[Anastasia Myskina]] at the [[2004 WTA Tour Championships]], Myskina criticized Sharapova's father, saying: "He was just yelling and screaming instructions to her and I thought he just might jump right on the court at one point in the match." At the Fed Cup semifinals two weeks later, Myskina stated she would stop playing for Russia if Sharapova joined the Russian team the following season: "If she joins our team next season you won't see me there for sure. His behaviour is totally incorrect, simply rude. I don't want to be around people like him." [[Larisa Neiland]], assistant to Russia Fed Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev, added: "Her father's behaviour (at the WTA Tour Championships) was simply outrageous. I just don't see how he could work with the rest of us." However, Tarpishchev himself played down the problem, insisting: "I feel that things will calm down soon and we'll have Myskina, Sharapova, Kuznetsova and everyone else playing for Russia."<ref name="myskina">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4040243.stm|title=Myskina stands by Fed Cup threat|publisher=BBC|date=November 25, 2004|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
At the end of 2005, Sharapova stated she was now keen to make her Fed Cup debut<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4326784.stm|title=Sharapova keen to play for Russia|publisher=BBC|date=October 10, 2005|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> and was set to play against Belgium in April 2006, but withdrew.<ref name="sharapovadelays">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4788132.stm|title=Sharapova delays debut for Russia|publisher=BBC|date=March 8, 2006|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
She later withdrew from ties against Spain in April 2007<ref name="missfedcup">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6520271.stm|title=Sharapova to miss Fed Cup debut|publisher=BBC|date=April 2, 2007|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> and against the United States in July 2007 because of injuries.<ref name="pulloutangers">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6288526.stm|title=Sharapova pull-out angers Russia|publisher=BBC|date=July 10, 2007|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> The latter withdrawal led to Russia's captain saying she would be "ineligible for selection" for the Fed Cup final in September.<ref name="forfedcup">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6904802.stm|title=Russia drop Sharapova for Fed Cup|publisher=BBC|date=July 16, 2007|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> However, Sharapova attended the final, cheering from the sidelines and acting as a "hitting partner" in practices, resulting in some of her Russian teammates implying that she was attending only to enable her to play at the [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing Olympics]] (rules state that players must have "shown commitment" to Fed Cup in order to play). [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] said, "She said she wanted to be our practice partner but if you can't play how then can you practice?"<ref name="rowover">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6999113.stm|title=Row over Sharapova's Fed Cup show|publisher=BBC|date=September 17, 2007|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova finally made her Fed Cup debut in February 2008, in Russia's quarterfinal tie against [[Israel Fed Cup team|Israel]].<ref name="Fedcupdebut" >{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/sharapova-set-to-make-fed-cup-debut/2008/01/22/1200764265448.html|title=Sharapova set to make Fed Cup debut|work=The Age|accessdate=May 4, 2013|date=January 23, 2008}}</ref> She won both her singles rubbers, against [[Tzipora Obziler]] and [[Shahar Pe'er]], helping Russia to a 4–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fedcup.com/en/results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100010107|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630213658/http://www.fedcup.com/en/results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100010107|archivedate=June 30, 2008|publisher=Fed Cup|title=Fed Cup: Israel vs. Russia tie|date= February 2–3, 2008|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref> For the semifinals, she was given permission to skip the tie, with Tarpishchev announcing that she will be on the team for the final.<ref name="theage">{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/sharapova-set-to-make-fed-cup-debut/2008/01/22/1200764265448.html|work=The Age|accessdate=September 6, 2011|date=January 23, 2008|title=Sharapova set to make Fed Cup debut}}</ref> However, the date of the final coincided with the lay-off from her shoulder injury, and thus she did not play.<ref name="theage" />
In the 2011 first-round tie, Sharapova played [[Virginie Razzano]] of France and lost. Sharapova was supposed to play [[Alizé Cornet]] but she was suffering from a viral illness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-france-viral-illness/ |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130616031235/http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-france-viral-illness/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |title=Sharapova pulls out of Gaz de France due to viral illness |publisher=TV-Novosti |work=[[Russia Today]] |date=February 10, 2011 |accessdate=May 4, 2013 |df= }}</ref> Teammate [[Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova]] played and defeated Cornet to secure the 3–2 win for Russia against France. Sharapova continued to participate in 2012 and helped Russia to a 3–2 win against Spain in the first-round tie. Sharapova defeated [[Silvia Soler Espinosa]] in the first rubber, but was unable to play her second rubber due to illness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-russia-serbia-fed-cup-tarpischev-573/ |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130615221251/http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-russia-serbia-fed-cup-tarpischev-573/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |title=Sharapova to miss Fed Cup semis |publisher=TV-Novosti |work=[[Russia Today]] |date=February 6, 2012 |accessdate=May 22, 2013 |df= }}</ref> In 2015, Sharapova helped Russia earn a place in the semifinals after beating Pole [[Urszula Radwańska]] in the first tie and her sister [[Agnieszka Radwańska]] in the second tie. Sharapova was scheduled to play the semi-final against [[Germany Fed Cup team|Germany]], however, she withdrew days before the competition. She then joined the team for the final against [[Czech Republic Fed Cup team|Czech Republic]] and won both of her matches, against [[Petra Kvitová]] and [[Karolína Plíšková]]. Despite the 2 wins by Sharapova, Russia still lost 3–2 after losing the decisive doubles rubber.
==Playing style==
Sharapova is an aggressive baseliner with power, depth, and angles on her forehand and backhand.<ref name="profile">Jeff Cooper. [http://tennis.about.com/od/playersfemale/a/sharapovagp.htm Maria Sharapova – Tennis Game Profile], About.com. Retrieved July 23, 2008.</ref> She is one of the few players on the WTA tour who often use the reverse forehand. Instead of using a traditional [[volley (tennis)|volley]] or overhead [[Smash (tennis)|smash]], she prefers to hit a powerful "swinging" volley when approaching the net or attacking [[Lob (tennis)|lobs]].<ref>Douglas Robson. [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/wimb/2007-06-24-volleys_N.htm Swinging, midcourt volley becomes key weapon among pros], ''USA Today'', June 25, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2008.</ref> Sharapova is thought to have good speed around the court, especially considering her height.<ref name="profile"/> At the beginning of 2008, some observers noted that Sharapova had developed her game, showing improved movement and footwork and the addition of a [[drop shot]] and sliced backhand to her repertoire of shots.<ref>Steve Bierley. [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/23/tennis.australianopen2008 Sharapova adds variety to end Henin run], ''The Guardian'', January 23, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thetennistimes.com/maria-sharapova/|title=Maria Sharapova Scouting report|publisher=Thetennistimes.com|accessdate=August 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007231236/http://thetennistimes.com/maria-sharapova/|archivedate=October 7, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Despite her powerful game, Sharapova's greatest asset is considered to be her mental toughness and competitive spirit, with Nick Bollettieri stating that she is "tough as nails". Hall-of-famer [[John McEnroe]] said of Sharapova, "she's one of the best competitors in the history of the sport."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/04/1088879371559.html|author=Linda Pearce|work=The Age |title=Sharapova's arrival a victory for mental toughness|date=July 5, 2004|accessdate=June 12, 2010|location=Melbourne}}</ref>
Sharapova is known for on-court "[[grunting in tennis|grunting]]", which reached a recorded 101 [[decibel]]s during a match at [[2005 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon in 2005]].<ref name="grunting">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4118708.stm|title=Why do women tennis stars grunt?|author=Megan Lane|publisher=BBC|date=June 22, 2005|accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> During her second round match in Birmingham in 2003, Sharapova was asked to tone down the level of her grunt after opponent [[Nathalie Dechy]] complained to the umpire, with Sharapova's response saying that her grunting was "a natural instinct."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/06/12/878185.htm|title=Scream queen Sharapova warned to silence screams|date=June 12, 2003|accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> [[Monica Seles]] suggested that grunting is involuntary and a part of tennis.<ref name="GruntTelegraph">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1523117/Grunting-is-just-part-of-my-game-claims-Sharapova.html|title=Grunting is just part of my game, claims Sharapova|author=Catriona Davies|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=September 24, 2008|accessdate=October 19, 2008}}</ref> When questioned by the media about her grunting, Sharapova urged the media to "just watch the match."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4649550.stm|title=Beaten Sharapova turns on media|publisher=BBC|date=January 26, 2006|accessdate=June 2, 2008}}</ref> Her defensive game has been worked on by her new coach, and this has reflected in her results, making consecutive semi-finals at premier mandatory events on the tour. Later in her career, Sharapova also added drop shots to her repertoire, making for a more unpredictable game style.
===Serve===
[[File:Maria Sharapova at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships 12 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Sharapova at The Championships, Wimbledon in 2009.]]
Early in her career, Sharapova's first and second serves were regarded as powerful,<ref name="profile"/> and she was believed to possess one of the best deliveries on the Tour.<ref name="Serve1" /> Since the beginning of 2007, however, problems with her shoulder have reduced the effectiveness of her serve.<ref name="Serve1">{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3046996|author=Joel Drucker|publisher=ESPN Tennis|title=Lingering injuries or limitations coming to light for Sharapova|date=October 3, 2007|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref> The shoulder injury resulted in not only her inconsistent first serves, but also her hitting high numbers of double faults.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071124055318/http://www.tennis.com/features/general/features.aspx?id=108430 "Bottom line for the top women, 2007"], Tennis.com. Retrieved July 23, 2008.</ref> Two-time US Open singles champion [[Tracy Austin]] believes that Sharapova often loses confidence in the rest of her game when she experiences problems with her serve and consequently produces more unforced errors and generally plays more tentatively,<ref name="austin">{{cite web|author=Tracy Austin |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25396610/ |title=Austin: Sharapova loss a win for Venus and Serena |work=NBC Sports |date=June 27, 2008 |accessdate=July 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714023402/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25396610/ |archivedate=July 14, 2008 }}</ref> while tennis writer Joel Drucker remarked that her serve was the "catalyst for her entire game", and that her struggles with it left her "unmasked."<ref name="Serve1" />
In her return from layoff in 2008 to 2009, she used an abbreviated motion, which was somewhat less powerful, and though producing aces, also gave a very high number of double faults. After her early loss at the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|2009 US Open]], Sharapova returned to a more elongated motion, similar to her pre-surgery serve. She has since been able to produce speeds greater than before, including a 121-mph serve hit at the Birmingham tournament in 2010 – the fastest serve of her career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/7841792/Wimbledon-2010-Maria-Sharapova-fighting-fit-at-last-and-ready-to-reclaim-her-SW19-crown.html|title=Wimbledon 2010: Maria Sharapova fighting fit at last and ready to reclaim her SW19 crown|author=Mark Hodgkinson|date=June 21, 2010|accessdate=June 21, 2010|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>
However, since her shoulder operation Sharapova has been unable to control her serve. This has led to numerous faults, as she is unable to feel how much power she is generating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/09/sports/sp-la-women-tennis9|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first=Diane|last=Pucin|title=Maria Sharapova can't control her serve|date=August 9, 2009}}</ref> The new action led to an elbow injury, and, although under Thomas Högstedt it has improved, it can still be erratic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.optimumtennis.net/maria-sharapova-serve.htm|title=Maria Sharapova Serve Analysis – A Look Behind the Sharapova Serve Technique|publisher=Optimumtennis.net|accessdate=January 25, 2012}}</ref> This improvement in serving can be seen in the 2013 Australian Open and following tournaments where Maria Sharapova committed fewer double faults than in previous years.
===Surfaces===
Because she predicates her game on power, Sharapova's preferred surfaces early in her career were the fast-playing hard and grass courts, as evident through her 25 victories on hard court and grass court.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} This was most notable when she won the [[2004 Wimbledon]], [[2006 US Open (tennis)|2006 U.S. Open]] and [[2008 Australian Open]] crowns, where she had her career breakthrough and played her peak tennis level, respectively.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
Sharapova initially was not as well-suited to the slower clay courts as she is on hard and grass courts. Sharapova admitted in 2007 that she was not as comfortable with her movement on clay compared with other court surfaces and once described herself as like a "cow on ice" after a match on clay,<ref name="cow">Barry Flatman. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1867693.ece Sharapova: a cow on ice?], ''The Times'', May 31, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2008.</ref> due to her inability to slide. Later in her career, she showed improvement on this surface with respect to experience, as evidenced with her first WTA red-clay title at the [[2010 Internationaux de Strasbourg]], 7 years since playing on the WTA circuit. She won her first French Open title and captured the career grand slam at the [[2012 French Open]] and as of 2014, led the WTA tour of active players with the highest winning percentage on clay, with an 84.25% winning rate.<ref name="tennis.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/04/dont-have-cow/51317/#.U2WX28JOVwU|title=Don't Have a Cow|publisher=}}</ref> Since her shoulder injury, her best surface has become clay over grass & hard courts, and with her victory at the [[2014 French Open]], she has now won the French Open twice, which is more times than she has won any other slam, and three out of her four last Grand Slam Finals have all been at the French Open (3 consecutive finals from 2012–2014).
==Coaches==
Sharapova has had multiple coaches throughout her career including: [[Robert Lansdorp]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/20/wimbledon2005.wimbledon20 |title=Man who put the work into Sharapova}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3742834 |title=ESPN: The look of love}}</ref> Yuri Sharapov,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/09/sports/tennis/biggest-distraction-for-sharapova-is-her-father.html?mcubz=0&_r=0 |title=NY Times: Biggest distraction for Sharapova is her father}}</ref> [[Michael Joyce (tennis)|Michael Joyce]] in 2004–11,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.costa-del-tennis.com/tennis-interview-coach-michael-joyce/ |title=Coach Michael Joyce interview}}</ref> [[Jimmy Connors]] in 2013,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/10247183/Maria-Sharapova-dumps-coach-Jimmy-Connors-after-just-one-match-following-Cincinnati-Masters-defeat.html |title=Maria Sharapova dumps coach Jimmy Connors}}</ref> [[Sven Groeneveld]] in 2013–18,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2013/11/21/maria-sharapova-hires-sven-groeneveld-as-new-coach |title=Maria Sharapova hires Sven Groeneveld as her new coach}}</ref> [[Thomas Högstedt]] in 2011–13, 2018–19,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2013/07/12/maria-sharapova-splits-with-coach-thomas-hogstedt-ana-ivanovic-splits-with-nigel-sears|title=Maria Sharapova splits with coach|first=Courtney|last=Nguyen|publisher=}}</ref> and [[Riccardo Piatti]] in 2019–2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/maria-sharapova-is-ready-to-attack-again-coach-riccardo-piatti/|title=“Maria Sharapova is Ready To Attack Again”- Coach Riccardo Piatti|website=Essentially Sports|date=11 November 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life==
===Relationships===
In 2011, Sharapova was engaged to Slovenian professional basketball player [[Sasha Vujačić]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2010/10/21/maria-sharapova-sasha-vujacic-engaged-proposed-los-angeles-lakers/|title=Maria Sharapova & Sasha Vujacic – Engaged|publisher=[[TMZ.com|TMZ]]|date=October 21, 2010|accessdate=October 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=5713080|title=Maria Sharapova betrothed to guard|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=October 21, 2010|accessdate=October 22, 2010}}</ref> with whom she had been in a relationship since 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/11/lakers-sasha-vujacic-maria-sharapova-dating.html|title=The Fabulous Forum: Are Sasha Vujacic and Maria Sharapova dating?|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 3, 2009|accessdate=June 18, 2010}}</ref> On August 31, 2012, Sharapova confirmed that the pair had ended the engagement and separated earlier that year.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
===Public profile===
Sharapova has lived in the United States since moving there at the age of seven. Besides a home in [[Bradenton]], Florida, she also has a residence in [[Manhattan Beach, California]].<ref name="peoplemagazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1183711,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223093250/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C26334%2C1183711%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 23, 2008 |title=Celebrity Q & A – Maria Sharapova |publisher=[[People Magazine]] |date=April 17, 2006 |author=Kathy Ehrich-Dowd |df= }}</ref>
From 2005 to 2011, Sharapova was named to the [[Forbes Celebrity 100]], which attempts to compile the top 100 most powerful celebrities of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/maria-sharapova|title=The Celebrity 100|work=[[Forbes]]|accessdate=June 28, 2011}}</ref>
Sharapova has made varying remarks on how long she intends to maintain her tennis career. Following the retirement of 25-year-old [[Justine Henin]] in 2008, Sharapova said, "If I [were] 25, and I'd won so many Grand Slams, I'd quit too."<ref name="henin">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7401565.stm|title=Henin is best of her generation|publisher=BBC|date=May 15, 2008|accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> In an interview after the [[2008 Australian Open]], she balked at the idea of playing for another ten years, saying that she hoped to have a "nice husband and a few kids" by then.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22856899/ |title=Billie Jean King's text inspired Sharapova |agency=Associated Press |publisher=[[NBC Sports]] |date=January 26, 2008 |accessdate=October 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607055611/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22856899/ |archivedate=June 7, 2008 }}</ref> However, in an interview before her [[2012 Australian Open]] semifinal, Sharapova changed her stance, saying she intended to continue playing tennis for as long as she enjoyed playing the game. Sharapova stated, "I'm sure when I was 17 years old and someone said, you'll be playing for another eight years, it would be like, you're not going to see me at a press conference at 25 years old. But years go on. I missed a year in my career—I didn't play that year. I've said this, just before the tournament, a few weeks before, I woke up, and I was just so happy to be going back on the court. I felt so fresh, full of energy, just with a really good perspective. Times change, obviously. I see myself playing this sport for many more years because it's something that gives me the most pleasure in my life. I think it helps when you know you're good at something, and you can always improve it. It obviously helps with the encouragement."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportal.com.au/tennis-opinion-display/maria-not-ready-for-veterans-list-158083 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120915060011/http://www.sportal.com.au/tennis-opinion-display/maria-not-ready-for-veterans-list-158083 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |title=Maria not ready for veteran's list – Tennis – Sportal Australia |publisher=Sportal.com.au |date= |accessdate=June 11, 2012 |first=Bren |last=O'Brien at }}</ref>
===Citizenship===
Although a [[Lawful permanent residents (United States)|United States resident]] since 1994, Sharapova still prefers Russian citizenship. Sharapova has stated the reason she prefers to keep Russian citizenship is because "it is about the family environment, it is about the rich culture. Just life experiences that I look back to and I know that for so many years I was shaped into the individual I was from those experiences. And not necessarily simply the country, but the people, the mentality and the toughness and that never giving up attitude".<ref>https://www.cnbc.com/2015/03/23/maria-sharapova-i-wont-trade-russian-citizenship.html</ref>
===Charity work===
The Maria Sharapova Foundation is committed to helping children around the world achieve their dreams. Sharapova has donated $100,000 to Chernobyl-related projects. In partnership with the UNDP, she launched a $210,000 scholarship program for students from Chernobyl-affected areas of Belarus that will award five-year scholarships to 12 students at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts and the Belarusian State University.<ref>{{cite web|author=www.xperedon.com |url=http://www.chnet.com/4209/maria-sharapova-foundation.html |title=Donate online to Maria Sharapova Foundation |publisher=Chnet.com |date= |accessdate=2017-03-29}}</ref> At the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|2004 US Open]], Sharapova, along with several other Russian female tennis players, wore a black ribbon in observance of the tragedy after the [[Beslan school hostage crisis]], which took place only days before.<ref name="espn">{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen04/news/story?id=1874900|title=Sharapova puts loss in perspective|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=David Boroff|date=September 6, 2004|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In 2005, she donated around US$50,000 to those affected by the crisis.<ref name="wtacareer"/> On February 14, 2007, Sharapova was appointed a [[UNDP Goodwill Ambassador|Goodwill Ambassador]] for the [[UNDP|United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP) and donated US$210,000 to [[Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme (CRDP)|UNDP Chernobyl-recovery projects]]. She stated at the time that she was planning to travel back to the area after Wimbledon in 2008,<ref name="usatoday">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2007-08-13-799623401_x.htm|title=Maria Sharapova plans 1st trip back to Chernobyl since family fled|publisher=USAToday|author=Beth Harris|date=August 13, 2007|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> though it didn't happen since she had to travel back to the US because of her shoulder injury.<ref name="wimbledon">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629223721/http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2010-06-28/201006281277743223156.html|archivedate=June 29, 2010 |url=http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2010-06-28/201006281277743223156.html|title=Interview with Sharapova|publisher=WTA|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> She fulfilled the trip in late June/early July 2010. Sharapova has helped to promote the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], Russia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/sport/interview-with-maria-sharapova/|publisher=TV-Novosti|work=[[Russia Today]]|accessdate=May 4, 2013|title=Interview with Maria Sharapova|date=May 11, 2007}}</ref> and was the first torch bearer in the torch-lighting ceremony during the opening festivities. In addition, with [[Angela Haynes]], [[Maria Kirilenko]], [[Nicole Vaidišová]], [[Rennae Stubbs]], Governor [[Jeb Bush]], and [[Jennifer Capriati]], Sharapova participated in an exhibition in Tampa in December 2004, raising money for the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/tennis/story/7874647|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130615221331/http://www.cbssports.com/tennis/story/7874647|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 15, 2013|title=Capriati, Sharapova to play benefit for hurricane victims|publisher=CBS Sports|date=November 10, 2004|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In July 2008, Sharapova sent a message on DVD to the memorial service of cancer victim Emily Bailes, who had performed the coin toss ahead of the [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|2004 Wimbledon final]] that Sharapova had gone on to win.<ref name="bbcnews">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/7489565.stm|title=Service held for Wimbledon girl|publisher=BBC|date=July 4, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
===Autobiography===
Sharapova's autobiography, ''Unstoppable: My Life So Far'' was published on September 12, 2017, by [[Farrar, Straus and Giroux|Sarah Crichton Books]].<ref>[http://www.vowelor.com/book/unstoppable-maria-sharapova-autobiography/ Unstoppable: My Life So Far by Maria Sharapova], ''Sarah Crichton Books''</ref>
==Endorsements==
[[File:Maria Sharapova, December 2008.jpg|thumb|Sharapova at official unveiling of her [[Canon PowerShot]] Diamond lineup]]
Sharapova's tennis success and appearance have enabled her to secure commercial endorsements that greatly exceed the value of her tournament winnings.<ref name="marcganis">Marc Ganis, the president of SportsCorp Ltd., a sports-industry consultant in Chicago, said, "Never underestimate the importance of physical beauty to an athlete's endorsement opportunities. Other than performance on the court, it may be the single most important asset." ''The New York Times''. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/sports/tennis/03endorse.html?fta=y Serving Their Clients], September 7, 2006</ref><ref name="hbswk">"It does not hurt that Sharapova is regarded as one of the most beautiful athletes in the world." [http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5607.html Marketing Maria: Managing the Athlete Endorsement], [[Harvard Business School]] Lessons from the classroom, Sara Jane Gilbert, October 29, 2007. Retrieved on June 1, 2008.</ref> In March 2006, Forbes magazine listed her as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, with annual earnings of over US$18 million,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/03/22/woods-sharapova-nike_cx_lr_0322athletes_2.html|title=The World's Best-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|date=March 22, 2006}}</ref> the majority of which was from endorsements and sponsorships. She topped that list every year until 2016, even after her 2007 shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web|title = World's Highest-Paid Women Athletes|url =http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/earnings/women-paid.htm|accessdate =May 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/07/22/women-athletes-endorsements-biz-sports-cx_tvr_kb_0722athletes.html|title=Top-Earning Female Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|date=July 22, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/08/18/top-earning-female-athletes-business-sportsmoney-female-athletes.html|title=The World's Highest-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|date=August 18, 2010}}</ref> In 2011, ''Forbes'' listed Sharapova as No. 29 in their list of 50 top-paid athletes, the only woman on the list.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kurt Badenhausen |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106040824/http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/05/31/the-worlds-highest-paid-athletes/2/|archivedate=November 6, 2012|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/05/31/the-worlds-highest-paid-athletes/ |title=The World's Highest-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]] |date=April 18, 2012 |accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> In 2012, she was listed as No. 15, and was joined in the top 20 by [[Li Na]] at No. 16 and [[Serena Williams]] at No. 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2012/06/18/mayweather-tops-list-of-the-worlds-100-highest-paid-athletes/|title=Mayweather Tops List Of The World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|author=Kurt Badenhausen|date=June 18, 2012|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> In April 2005, ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' named her one of the 50 most beautiful celebrities in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=PEOPLE's 50 Most Beautiful People |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1046248_1054061,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104001504/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C1046248_1054061%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 4, 2007 |date=April 27, 2005 |accessdate=May 5, 2013 |df= }}</ref> In 2006, ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' ranked Sharapova the hottest athlete in the world for the fourth consecutive year. She posed in a six-page bikini photoshoot spread in the 2006 [[Valentine's Day]] issue of the ''[[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue]]'', alongside 25 supermodels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/swimsuit/coverfeatured/10256/index.htm|title=2006 SWIMSUIT COVER|work=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 4, 1995|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> In a poll run by Britain's ''[[FHM]]'' magazine, she was voted the [[FHM's 100 Sexiest Women (UK)#Most Eligible Bachelorettes|seventh most eligible bachelorette]],<ref name="newscomau">{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,21300664-10388,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303091807/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C23663%2C21300664-10388%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 3, 2007 |work=News.com.au |title=Rod's daughter most eligible |date=February 28, 2007 |accessdate=May 4, 2013 |df= }}</ref> based on both "wealth and looks."
Immediately after her win at the 2004 Wimbledon Championship, mobile phone company [[Motorola]] signed Sharapova to endorse their mobile phone line.<ref name=nytdress/> Additionally, she appeared in commercials for [[Land Rover]] and [[Canon (company)|Canon]], as well as approved of namesake items by watch brand [[Tag Heuer]] and jeweller [[Tiffany & Co.|Tiffany]].<ref name=nytdress/> Tiffany also provides Sharapova with earrings from the "Tiffany for Maria Sharapova" collection at the four major events, that are also retailed globally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press.tiffany.com/News/NewsItem.aspx?id=130 |title=Tiffany & Co. For The Press | News | Maria Sharapova to Wear Tiffany Earrings at the 2011 French Open | United States |publisher=Tiffany & Co. |date=May 11, 2011 |accessdate=June 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108004447/http://press.tiffany.com/News/NewsItem.aspx?id=130 |archivedate=January 8, 2013 }}</ref> She also starred in an award-winning campaign for the sports clothing brand Nike, "[[Pretty (advertisement)|Pretty]]", in the summer of 2006. She signed a sponsorship deal in January 2007 with [[Gatorade]] and [[Tropicana Products|Tropicana]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/01/Issue-72/Sponsorships-Advertising-Marketing/Pepsico-Inks-Sharapova-To-Promote-Gatorade-Tropicana-Brands.aspx |title=PepsiCo Inks Sharapova To Promote Gatorade, Tropicana Brands |publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |date=January 3, 2007 |accessdate=September 10, 2014 }}</ref> which ended in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/5163203/Maria-Sharapova-loses-tennis-fizz-as-Pepsi-end-deal.html |title=Maria Sharapova loses tennis fizz as Pepsi end deal |work=The Telegraph |date=April 16, 2009 |first=Rod |last=Gilmour |accessdate=September 10, 2014 }}</ref> In 2007, Sharapova was featured in a number of Canon USA's commercials for the PowerShot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/14539/maria-sharapova/|title=Maria Sharapova in Canon PowerShot commercial|publisher=LetsGoDigital|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova has also been depicted in many tennis-related video games. Some of the titles include the ''[[Top Spin (video game)|Top Spin series]]'', ''[[Virtua Tennis]]'' series, and ''[[Grand Slam Tennis]]'' series. During the layoff due to her shoulder surgery, sensing the fleeting nature of a professional athlete's career, Sharapova decided to focus on developing her name as a brand, beginning with meeting with her sponsors more extensively to further her brand.<ref name=nytdress/> In January 2010, it was announced that Sharapova had renewed her contract with Nike, signing an 8-year deal for $70 million. This is the most lucrative deal ever for a sportswoman, dwarfing the previous record, which was Venus Williams' $43 million deal with Reebok.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jan/12/maria-sharapova-nike-deal|title=Maria Sharapova signs £43m deal with Nike|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Simon Cambers|accessdate=May 5, 2013|date=January 12, 2010}}</ref>
Following in the footsteps of tennis players who started clothing lines such as [[Fred Perry]] and [[René Lacoste]], Sharapova launched her own tennis apparel line, the "Nike Maria Sharapova Collection", in 2010. The collection includes dresses that she designed for all the major tournaments, in collaboration with Nike and [[Cole Haan]].<ref name=cnn-ms>{{cite web| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/27/sport/tennis/tennis-sharapova-grand-slam-design/index.html | publisher=CNN | title=Grand slam designs: Maria Sharapova's fashion statement | date=January 27, 2012|accessdate=May 19, 2013}}</ref> She had previously found that the outfits given to her by Nike did not suit her frame and were worn by too many other players.<ref name=nytdress/> She comes up with design ideas and sketches in a process that begins 18 months before the event<ref name=cnn-ms/> and receives royalties from the sale of the collection, of which the corresponding dresses are coordinated to be available simultaneously with the corresponding major tournament.<ref name=nytdress/> The collection is worn by other WTA players, including [[Sofia Arvidsson]], [[Eugenie Bouchard]], [[Kai-Chen Chang]], [[Andrea Hlaváčková]], [[Madison Keys]], [[Anastasia Pivovarova]] as well as junior players such as [[Indy de Vroome]].<ref name=cnn-ms/> Sharapova had earlier collaborated with Nike on the "little black dress" that she wore for her night matches at the 2006 US Open.<ref name=nytdress/> The dress featured a round crystal studded collar and was inspired by [[Audrey Hepburn]].<ref name=nytdress>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/fashion/maria-sharapovas-campaign-to-establish-herself-as-a-brand.html?pagewanted=all | work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Eric | last=Wilson | title=Maria Sharapova's Campaign to Establish Herself as a Brand | date=May 25, 2011|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> The dress was well publicized and received but was not mass-produced.<ref name=nytdress/><ref name=cnn-ms/><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sectionfront/life/sharapovas-little-black-dress-provokes-a-big-racket-at-us-open-448646/ | work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] | first=MacKenzie | last=Carpenter | title=Sharapova's little black dress provokes a big racket at U.S. Open | date=September 1, 2006|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> Additionally, she designs shoes and handbags for Cole Haan, for which her signature ballerina flats are one of the biggest sellers of the entire brand.<ref name=nytdress/>
Sharapova used the [[Prince Sports|Prince]] Triple Threat Hornet for part of 2003 and then used several different Prince racquets until the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. She gave the racquet she used in the [[2004 Wimbledon]] final to [[Regis Philbin]] when taping ''[[Live with Regis and Kelly]]''. Sharapova began using the Prince Shark OS at that tournament specially designed for her.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/PSHKOS/PSHKOSReview.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327130507/http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/PSHKOS/PSHKOSReview.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 27, 2008 |title=Prince Shark Racquet Review |accessdate=June 18, 2012 |publisher=Tennis Warehouse |df= }}</ref> She then switched to the Prince O3 White racquet in January 2006. She switched to the Prince O3 Speedport Black in July 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://princetennis.com/tennis/files/teamPrincePlayer.aspx?plyid=89 |title=Tennis Racquets, Tennis Footwear, String, EXO3 Racquet |publisher=Prince Tennis |accessdate=August 31, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022085350/http://www.princetennis.com/tennis/files/teamPrincePlayer.aspx?plyid=89 |archivedate=October 22, 2008 }}</ref> After being with Prince for ten years,<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228161310/http://tennis.com/articles/templates/gear.aspx?articleid=9327&zoneid=24|archivedate=December 28, 2010|url=http://tennis.com/articles/templates/gear.aspx?articleid=9327&zoneid=24 |title=Gear – Maria Sharapova's New Head for the New Year? |publisher=TENNIS.com |date=December 21, 2010 |accessdate=June 11, 2012}}</ref> Sharapova began endorsing [[Head (company)|Head]] racquets in 2011 and uses the Head YOUTEK IG Instinct.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.head.com/tennis/news.php?region=us&id=758|title=Performance meets Style – Maria Sharapova joins the HEAD team!|publisher=Head Tennis|date=January 3, 2011|accessdate=January 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/player.html?ccode=SHARAPOVA|title=Maria Sharapova|publisher=Tennis Warehouse|date=January 18, 2011|accessdate=January 18, 2011}}</ref> Sharapova signed a three-year deal to be brand ambassador for [[Porsche]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harley|first=Michael|title=Porsche picks Maria Sharapova as brand ambassador|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/porsche-picks-maria-sharapova-as-brand-ambassador/|accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref>
==Sugarpova==
''Sugarpova''<ref>{{cite web|title = International Shipping {{!}} Sugarpova|url = http://www.sugarpova.com/|website = www.sugarpova.com|access-date = February 3, 2016}}</ref> is a [[candy]] line created by Maria Sharapova and candy veteran Jeff Rubin, founder of international retailer IT'SUGAR.<ref name="Sugarpova Candy: Sharapova's Sweet Taste of Success">{{cite web|title=Sugarpova Candy: Sharapova's Sweet Taste of Success|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-17/sugarpova-candy-sharapovas-sweet-taste-of-success|accessdate=January 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Sharapova's Sugarpova lolly range 'smacks of irresponsible marketing'">{{cite news|title=Sharapova's Sugarpova lolly range 'smacks of irresponsible marketing'|url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/sharapovas-sugarpova-lolly-range-smacks-of-irresponsible-marketing/story-fneuz8zj-1226552023463|accessdate=January 22, 2013}}</ref> According to the Sugarpova website, "Sugarpova is a premium candy line that reflects the fun, fashionable, sweet side of international tennis sensation Maria Sharapova."<ref name="sugarpova.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.sugarpova.com/about/|title=About – Sugarpova|website=www.sugarpova.com|access-date=August 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803094456/http://www.sugarpova.com/about/|archive-date=August 3, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> A portion of all proceeds goes to the Maria Sharapova Foundation, Sharapova's charity.<ref name="sugarpova.com"/> Sugarpova was launched worldwide in 2013. In February 2016, Sugarpova announced that it had partnered with Polish company ''Baron Chocolatier''<ref>{{cite web|title = Baron Chocolatier Chocolates {{!}} Premium European Chocolate GMO FREE, NATURAL & KOSHER|url = https://baronchocolatier.com/|website = baronchocolatier.com|access-date = February 3, 2016}}</ref> to make Sugarpova Premium Chocolates.<ref>{{cite web|title = Sugarpova Partners With Baron Chocolatier|url = http://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/600253-sugarpova-partners-with-baron-chocolatier.html|website = VAVEL|access-date = February 3, 2016|first = Thomas|last = Cluck}}</ref> Sugarpova also plans to extend its range to lifestyle products.<ref>{{cite web|title = Sharapova to Extend Sugarpova to Home Goods Sleep and Loungewear|url = http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Sharapova-to-Extend-Sugarpova-to-Home-Goods-Sleep-and-Loungewear-articolo29926.html|website = www.tennisworldusa.org|access-date = February 3, 2016}}</ref>
Sharapova considered changing her name to ‘Sugarpova’ for the duration of the 2013 US Open for advertising reasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maria Sharapova hopes to change her surname to Sugarpova for US Open |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/aug/20/maria-sharapova-name-change-sugarpova |website=The Guardian |accessdate=26 February 2020}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
{{main|Maria Sharapova career statistics}}
===Grand Slam tournament performance timeline===
{{Performance key|short=yes}}
''Current through the [[2020 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2020 Australian Open]].''
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center;font-size:96%
|-
! Tournament
! [[2003 WTA Tour|2003]]
! [[2004 WTA Tour|2004]]
! [[2005 WTA Tour|2005]]
! [[2006 WTA Tour|2006]]
! [[2007 WTA Tour|2007]]
! [[2008 WTA Tour|2008]]
! [[2009 WTA Tour|2009]]
! [[2010 WTA Tour|2010]]
! [[2011 WTA Tour|2011]]
! [[2012 WTA Tour|2012]]
! [[2013 WTA Tour|2013]]
! [[2014 WTA Tour|2014]]
! [[2015 WTA Tour|2015]]
! [[2016 WTA Tour|2016]]
! [[2017 WTA Tour|2017]]
! [[2018 WTA Tour|2018]]
! [[2019 WTA Tour|2019]]
! [[2020 WTA Tour|2020]]
! {{Tooltip|SR|Strike Rate}}
! {{Tooltip|W–L|Win–Loss}}
! Win %
|-
| align=left | '''{{nowrap|[[Australian Open]]}}'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|1R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2004 Australian Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2006 Australian Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|F]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2008 Australian Open – Women's Singles|W]]'''
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|1R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2011 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2012 Australian Open – Women's Singles|F]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2013 Australian Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2014 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|F]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2016 Australian Open - Women's Singles|QF]]
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2018 Australian Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2019 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2020 Australian Open – Women's Singles|1R]]
| 1 / 16
| 57–15
| {{tennis win percentage|won=57|lost=15|integer=yes}}
|-
| align=left | '''[[French Open]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 French Open – Women's Singles|1R]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2004 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2005 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2006 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2007 French Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2008 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2009 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2011 French Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2012 French Open – Women's Singles|W]]'''
| style="background:thistle" | [[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|F]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2014 French Open – Women's Singles|W]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| A
| A
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2018 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]
| A
|
| 2 / 14
| 56–12
| {{tennis win percentage|won=56|lost=12|integer=yes}}
|-
| align=left | '''[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|W]]'''
| style="background:yellow" | [[2005 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2006 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2007 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2011 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2013 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2014 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|SF]]
| A
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2018 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|1R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|1R]]
|
| 1 / 15
| 46–14
| {{tennis win percentage|won=46|lost=14|integer=yes}}
|-
| align=left | '''[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 US Open – Women's Singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2004 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2005 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2006 US Open – Women's Singles|W]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2007 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2009 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2011 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| A
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2017 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2018 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|1R]]
|
| 1 / 13
| 38–12
| {{tennis win percentage|won=38|lost=12|integer=yes}}
|- style="font-weight:bold; background:#efefef"
| style=text-align:left | Win–Loss
| 4–4
| 15–3
| 19–4
| 20–3
| 16–4
| 11–2
| 7–3
| 8–4
| 16–4
| 21–3
| 12–3
| 16–3
| 14–3
| 4–1
| 3–1
| 8–4
| 3–3
| 0–1
| {{nowrap|5 / 58}}
| {{nowrap|197–53}}
| {{tennis win percentage|won=197|lost=53|integer=yes}}
|}
<small>
* Sharapova received a walkover in the fourth round of the [[2018 French Open – Women's Singles|2018 French Open]], which does not count as a win.</small>
====Singles finals: 10 (5 titles, 5 runner-ups)====
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Result
! Year
! width=120 | Tournament
! Surface
! width=150 | Opponent
! style="width:200px;" class="unsortable"| Score
|- style="background:#cfc"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2004]] || [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] || Grass || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Serena Williams]] || 6–1, 6–4
|- style="background:#ccf"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2006 US Open – Women's Singles|2006]] || [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] || Hard || {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Justine Henin]] || 6–4, 6–4
|- style="background:#ffc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2007]] || [[Australian Open]] || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 1–6, 2–6
|- style="background:#ffc"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2008 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2008]] || Australian Open || Hard || {{flagicon|SRB|2004}} [[Ana Ivanovic]] || 7–5, 6–3
|- style="background:#cfc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2011 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2011]] || Wimbledon || Grass || {{flagicon|CZE}} [[Petra Kvitová]] || 3–6, 4–6
|- style="background:#ffc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2012 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2012]] || Australian Open || Hard || {{flagicon|BLR|1995}} [[Victoria Azarenka]] || 3–6, 0–6
|- style="background:#ebc2af"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2012 French Open – Women's Singles|2012]] || [[French Open]] || Clay || {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Sara Errani]] || 6–3, 6–2
|- style="background:#ebc2af"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2013 French Open|2013]] || French Open || Clay || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 4–6, 4–6
|- style="background:#ebc2af"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2014 French Open|2014]] || French Open <small>(2)</small> || Clay || {{flagicon|ROU}} [[Simona Halep]] || 6–4, 6–7<sup>(5–7)</sup>, 6–4
|- style="background:#ffc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2015]] || Australian Open || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 3–6, 6–7<sup>(5–7)</sup>
|}
===WTA Tour Championships===
'''Finals: 3 (1 title, 2 runner-ups)'''
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Result
! Year
! Surface
! width=150 | Opponent
! style="width:200px;" class="unsortable"| Score
|- style="background:#fffcc;"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2004 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2004]] || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Serena Williams]] || 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
|- style="background:#fffcc;"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2007 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2007]] || Hard || {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Justine Henin]] || 7–5, 5–7, 3–6
|- style="background:#fffcc;"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2012 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2012]] || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 4–6, 3–6
|}
==Awards==
{{See also|WTA Awards}}
{{Div col}}
;2003
*[[Russian Cup (tennis)|Russian Cup]] Newcomer of the Year
*Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Newcomer of the Year<ref name="WTA_Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |publisher=WTA |accessdate=April 29, 2013 |title=WTA Awards |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421031247/http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |archivedate=April 21, 2013 |df= }}</ref>
;2004
*WTA Player of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499|publisher=WTA|accessdate=April 29, 2013|title=Players: Maria Sharapova|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606221849/http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499|archive-date=June 6, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*WTA Most Improved Player of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
;2005
*[[ESPY Awards|ESPY]] Best Female Tennis Player<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*Prix de Citron Roland Garros<ref>{{cite web|url=http://orange-citron.org/2005/communiques.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113030513/http://www.orange-citron.org/2005/communiques.php|archivedate=November 13, 2008|publisher=Prix Orange|language=French|accessdate=September 6, 2011|title=Communiqués de presse|trans-title=Press releases}}</ref>
*Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year
;2006
*Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year
*Whirlpool 6th Sense Player of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
;2007
*ESPY Best Female Tennis Player<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*ESPY Best International Female Athlete<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
;2008
*ESPY Best Female Tennis Player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/espyawrd.shtml#wtennis|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20020223000325/http://www.hickoksports.com/history/espyawrd.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 23, 2002|publisher=Hickock Sports|title=Women's Tennis|accessdate=September 6, 2011}}</ref>
*Russian Cup Team of the Year (as part of the [[Russia Fed Cup team|Fed Cup team]])
;2010
*WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*WTA Humanitarian of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*WTA Most Fashionable Player (On Court)<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*WTA Most Fashionable Player (Off Court)<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*WTA Most Dramatic Expression<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
;2012
*ESPY Best Female Tennis Player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1255849-espy-awards-2012-winners-results-recap-and-top-moments|title=2012 ESPY Awards Winners: Results, Recap and Top Moments|publisher=Bleacher Report|author=Richard Langford|date=July 12, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
*[[Order of Merit for the Fatherland#Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland|Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland]] 2nd Class (April 28, 2012) – ''for her philanthropic activity''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pravo.gov.ru:8080/page.aspx?13296|script-title=ru:Указ Президента Российской Федерации от April 28, 2012 № 529 "О награждении государственными наградами Российской Федерации"|publisher=Government of Russia|language=Russian|accessdate=May 5, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517012042/http://www.pravo.gov.ru:8080/page.aspx?13296|archivedate=May 17, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Order of Merit for the Fatherland#Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland|Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland]] 1st Class (August 13, 2012) – ''for her outstanding contribution to the development of physical cultures and sports at the XXX Olympic Games in 2012 in London (Great Britain)''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://graph.document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1623257 |script-title=ru:Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 13 августа 2012 года № 1165 "О награждении государственными наградами Российской Федерации" |publisher=Government of Russia |language=Russian |accessdate=May 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423171125/http://graph.document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1623257 |archivedate=April 23, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref>
*Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year
;2016
*[[Order For Merit to the Fatherland]] (February 5, 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.championat.com/tennis/news-2371661-mutko-vruchil-sharapovoj-gosudarstvennye-nagrady.html|title=Мутко вручил Шараповой государственные награды|trans-title=Mutko handed in government awards to Sharapova|publisher=Championat.com|date=February 5, 2016|accessdate=February 5, 2016|language=Russian}}</ref>
{{Div col end}}
== See also ==
{{Portal|Tennis|Politics}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[ATP World Tour records]]
*[[WTA Tour records]]
*[[List of WTA number 1 ranked players]]
*[[List of female tennis players]]
*[[List of tennis rivalries]]
*[[Tennis records of the Open Era – Women's Singles]]
{{div col end}}
==References==
'''General'''
*{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499/title/maria-sharapova|title=Players: Maria Sharapova|publisher=WTA|accessdate=April 19, 2013}}
'''Specific'''
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links==
{{commons}}
*{{Official website}} {{in lang|en}}
*{{WTA}}
*{{ITF profile}}
*{{Fed Cup player}}
{{Maria Sharapova}}
{{Maria Sharapova start boxes}}
{{navboxes|title=Maria Sharapova in the [[grand slam (tennis)|Grand Slam Tournaments]]
|list1=
{{Tennis Career Grand Slam Champions}}
{{Australian Open women's singles champions}}
{{French Open women's singles champions}}
{{Wimbledon women's singles champions}}
{{US Open women's singles champions}}
}}
{{navboxes|title=[[Maria Sharapova career statistics]]
|list1=
{{Tennis World Number Ones (women)}}
{{WTA Year-End Championship winners}}
}}
{{Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharapova, Maria}}
[[Category:Maria Sharapova|*]]
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of supra-national bodies]]
[[Category:Australian Open (tennis) champions]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:French Open champions]]
[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in women's singles]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in tennis]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for Russia]]
[[Category:Olympic tennis players of Russia]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Bradenton, Florida]]
[[Category:People from Nyagan]]
[[Category:Russian expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:Russian female models]]
[[Category:Russian female tennis players]]
[[Category:Tennis players at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Russian officials of the United Nations]]
[[Category:US Open (tennis) champions]]
[[Category:Wimbledon champions]]
[[Category:World No. 1 tennis players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" I class]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" II class]]
[[Category:Russian sportspeople in doping cases]]
[[Category:Doping cases in tennis]]
[[Category:Tatar people of Russia]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{short description|Russian tennis player}}
{{Redirect|Sharapova|other uses|Sharapov (surname)}}
{{Eastern Slavic name|Yuryevna|Sharapova}}
{{Infobox tennis biography
| name = Maria Sharapova
| image = Sharapova at the Mutua Madrid Open 2015.jpg
| caption = Sharapova at the [[2015 Mutua Madrid Open]]
| fullname = Maria Yuryevna<br />Sharapova
| native_name = Мария Юрьевна Шарапова
| country = {{RUS}}
| residence = [[Bradenton]], Florida, U.S.
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|04|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Nyagan]], [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], Soviet Union
| height = <!-- UNSOURCED CHANGES TO THIS WILL BE REMOVED -->{{height|m=1.88}}<ref name="wtatennis">{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499/title/maria-sharapova|work=[[Women's Tennis Association]]|accessdate=September 1, 2015}}</ref>
| coach =
| turnedpro = 19 April 2001<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| retired = 26 February 2020
| plays = Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
| careerprizemoney = $38,703,609<ref>{{cite web|title=Career Prize Money Leaders|url=http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/rankings/All_Career_Prize_Money.pdf|work=[[Women's Tennis Association]]|accessdate=September 1, 2015}}</ref> ([[WTA Tour records#WTA career prize money leaders|3rd in all-time rankings]])
| website = [http://www.mariasharapova.com/ mariasharapova.com]
| singlesrecord = {{tennis record|won=645|lost=171}}<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| singlestitles = 36 WTA, 4 ITF
| highestsinglesranking = [[List of WTA number 1 ranked tennis players|No. '''1''']] (August 22, 2005)<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| AustralianOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2008 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2008]])
| FrenchOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2012 French Open – Women's Singles|2012]], [[2014 French Open – Women's Singles|2014]])
| Wimbledonresult = '''W''' ([[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2004]])
| USOpenresult = '''W''' ([[2006 US Open – Women's Singles|2006]])
| Othertournaments = yes
| WTAChampionshipsresult = '''W''' ([[2004 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2004]])
| doublesrecord = 23–17 (57.5%)<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| doublestitles = 3 WTA<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| highestdoublesranking = No. 41 (June 14, 2004)<ref name="wtatennis"/>
| AustralianOpenDoublesresult = 2R ([[2003 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2003]], [[2004 Australian Open – Women's Doubles|2004]])
| USOpenDoublesresult = 2R ([[2003 US Open – Women's Doubles|2003]])
| Mixed = yes
| mixedrecord = 2–1 (66.7%)
| mixedtitles = 0
| USOpenMixedresult = QF ([[2004 US Open – Mixed Doubles|2004]])
| Team = yes
| FedCupresult = '''W''' ([[2008 Fed Cup World Group|2008]])
| medaltemplates-expand = yes
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCountry|{{RUS}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Tennis at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London]]|[[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics|Singles]]}}
| updated = 26 February 2020
}}
[[File:Maria Sharapova signature.png|thumb|Maria Sharapova's signature]]
'''Maria Yuryevna Sharapova''' ({{lang-rus|Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова|p=mɐˈrʲijə ˈjʉrʲjɪvnə ʂɐˈrapəvə|a=Maria_sharapova.ogg}}; born April 19, 1987) is a former professional [[tennis]] player. Although she played under the banner of Russia with the [[Women's Tennis Association]] (WTA), she has lived in and been a [[United States]] [[Permanent residence (United States)|permanent resident]] since 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/8728691/US-Open-2011-Elena-Baltacha-warns-Heather-Watson-of-the-extreme-intensity-of-Maria-Sharapova.html |title=US Open 2011: Elena Baltacha warns Heather Watson of the extreme intensity of Maria Sharapova|work=The Telegraph| first =Simon | last = Briggs|date=August 28, 2013|accessdate= May 4, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova competed on the WTA tour since 2001 and had been ranked [[List of WTA number 1 ranked players|world No. 1]] in singles by the WTA on five separate occasions, for a total of 21 weeks. She is one of ten women, and the only Russian, to hold the [[Grand Slam (tennis)#Career Grand Slam|career Grand Slam]]. She is also an [[Olympic medalist]], having won a [[Olympic silver medal|silver]] medal in [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Women's singles|women's singles]] at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in [[London]]. Sharapova achieved a rare level of longevity in tennis, with several tennis pundits and former players calling Sharapova one of tennis's best competitors.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZUeNoPV-F0 | title= McEnroe Insights: Maria Sharapova|publisher=YouTube|work=3News|date=January 26, 2011|accessdate=January 11, 2015}}</ref>
Sharapova became the world No. 1 for the first time on 22 August 2005, at the age of 18, becoming the first Russian female tennis player to top the singles rankings, and last held the ranking for a fifth time for four weeks from 11 June 2012, to 8 July 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/Notes&Netcords/2012/july16.pdf|title=Notes& Netcords|date=July 16, 2012|publisher=WTA|accessdate=May 19, 2013|format=PDF|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106223920/http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/Notes%26Netcords/2012/july16.pdf|archivedate=January 6, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Maria-Sharapova-reclaims-world-number-one-ranking/tabid/415/articleID/257186/Default.aspx|title=Maria Sharapova reclaims world number one ranking|publisher=MediaWorks TV|work=3News|date=June 8, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728161149/http://www.3news.co.nz/Maria-Sharapova-reclaims-world-number-one-ranking/tabid/415/articleID/257186/Default.aspx|archive-date=July 28, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> She won five [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]] titles — two at the [[French Open]] and one each at the [[Australian Open]], [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], and the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]], winning 36 titles in total, including the year-ending [[WTA Finals]] in her debut in 2004. She also won three doubles titles.
Sharapova has been featured in a number of modeling assignments, including a feature in the ''[[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue]]''. She has appeared in many advertisements, including those for Nike, Prince, and Canon, and has been the face of several [[fashion house]]s, most notably [[Cole Haan]]. Since February 2007, she has been a [[UNDP Goodwill Ambassador|United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador]], concerned specifically with the [[Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme]]. In June 2011, she was named one of the "30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future" by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''<ref>{{cite news|title=30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future – Maria Sharapova|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2079150_2079148_2079118,00.html|work=[[Time Magazine|Time]]|accessdate=August 19, 2011|author=William Lee Adams|date=June 22, 2011}}</ref> and in March 2012 was named one of the "[[100 Greatest of All Time]]" by [[Tennis Channel]]. According to [[Forbes]], she has been named highest-paid female athlete in the world for 11 consecutive years and earned {{USD}}285 million (including prize money) since she turned pro in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2015/08/12/the-worlds-highest-paid-female-athletes-2015/#2782d7397b11|title=The World's Highest-Paid Female Athletes 2015|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=August 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2016/03/08/how-maria-sharapova-earned-285-mill-during-her-tennis-career/#1ddef49766fd|title=How Maria Sharapova Earned $285 Million During Her Tennis Career|publisher=Forbes|author=Kurt Badenhausen|accessdate=March 8, 2016}}</ref> In 2018, she launched a new programme to mentor women entrepreneurs.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/daniellerossingh/2018/03/08/maria-sharapova-to-mentor-women-business-owners/#578584bd00de |title=Maria Sharapova To Mentor Women Business Owners|last= Rossingh|first= Danielle|work= Forbes|access-date= 2018-03-11}}</ref>
In March 2016, Sharapova revealed she had failed a [[drug test]] at the [[2016 Australian Open]]. She had tested positive for [[meldonium]], a substance that had been banned (effective January 1, 2016) by the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA). On 8 June 2016, she was suspended from playing tennis for two years by the [[International Tennis Federation]] (ITF).<ref>{{cite news|title= Maria Sharapova failed drugs test at Australian Open|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35750285 |publisher=BBC|date=March 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name="ITF prov">{{cite web |url= http://www.itftennis.com/news/225826.aspx |title=Press release: Tennis Anti-Doping Programme statement regarding Maria Sharapova |publisher= International Tennis Federation |date=March 7, 2016 |accessdate= March 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Maria Sharapova banned for two years for failed drugs test but will appeal|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36482288|publisher=BBC|date= June 8, 2016}}</ref> On 4 October 2016, the suspension was reduced to 15 months, starting from the date of the failed test, as the Court of Arbitration for Sports found that she had committed "no significant fault" and that she had taken the substance "based on a doctor's recommendation… with good faith belief that it was appropriate and compliant with the relevant rules".<ref name="WTATennis.com">{{cite web |url= http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5949604/title/cas-reduce-sharapova-suspension-to-15-months |title=CAS Reduce Sharapova Suspension to 15 Months |publisher=WTATennis |accessdate= October 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name="edition.cnn.com">{{cite web |url= http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/04/tennis/tennis-sharapova-cas-drugs/ |title=Maria Sharapova's drugs ban cut to 15 months on appeal|publisher=CCN|accessdate= October 4, 2016}}</ref><ref name="WTATennis">{{cite web|url= http://www.wtatennis.com/content/inside-maria-sharapovas-cas-appeal-decision-reduce-ban-0 |title= Everything you need to know about Maria Sharapova's appeal, what the CAS found, and when the former No. 1 can return to the tour |publisher= Wtatennis |accessdate=October 4, 2016}}</ref> She returned to the [[WTA Tour]] on 26 April 2017 at the [[2017 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]].
==Early life==
Maria Sharapova was born on 19 April 1987, in [[Nyagan]], [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]], Soviet Union. Her parents, Yuri Sharapov and Yelena, are from [[Gomel]], [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Byelorussian SSR]]. Concerned about the regional effects of the 1986 [[Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl nuclear accident]], they left their homeland shortly before Maria was born.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2309886/Sharapova-still-haunted-by-Chernobyl.html|title=Sharapova still haunted by Chernobyl|publisher=The Telegraph|date=March 27, 2007|accessdate=February 26, 2020|author=Mark Hodgkinson}}</ref><ref name="ITH_2007_08_13">{{cite web|url=http://lenta.ru/lib/14164248/|publisher=[[Lenta.ru]]|script-title=ru:Шарапова, Мария|trans-title=Sharapova, Maria|language=Russian|accessdate=April 29, 2013}}</ref>
===Introduction to tennis===
In 1989, when Sharapova was three, the family moved to [[Sochi]], [[Krasnodar Krai]], Russia. She hit her first tennis ball when she was 4 years old. Her father, Yuri, befriended Aleksandr Kafelnikov, whose son [[Yevgeny Kafelnikov|Yevgeny]] would go on to win two Grand Slam singles titles and become Russia's first world No. 1 ranked tennis player. Aleksandr gave Sharapova her first tennis racquet in 1991 when she was four, whereupon she began practicing regularly with her father at a local park.<ref name="times">{{cite news|author=Paul Kimmage|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article3177376.ece|title=The Big Interview: Maria Sharapova|work=[[The Times]]|date=January 13, 2008|accessdate=July 23, 2008|location=London}}</ref> Maria took her first tennis lessons with veteran Russian coach Yuri Yutkin, who was instantly impressed when he saw her play, noting her "exceptional [[hand-eye coordination]]".<ref name="Article">{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-11732071-masha-was-a-star-at-four.do |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707185603/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-11732071-masha-was-a-star-at-four.do |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |author=Will Stewart |work=London Evening Standard |location=UK |title='Masha' was a star at four |date=July 2, 2004 |accessdate=June 12, 2010 |df= }}</ref>
===Start of professional training===
In 1993, at the age of six, Sharapova attended a tennis clinic in Moscow run by [[Martina Navratilova]], who recommended professional training at the [[IMG Academy]] in [[Bradenton, Florida]], which had previously trained players such as [[Andre Agassi]], [[Monica Seles]], and [[Anna Kournikova]].<ref name="times"/> With money tight, Yuri Sharapov borrowed the sum that would enable him and his daughter, neither of whom could speak English, to travel to the United States of America, which they finally did in 1994.<ref name="Article" /> Visa restrictions prevented Sharapova's mother from joining them for two years.<ref name="ITH_2007_08_13"/> Arriving in Florida with savings of US$700,<ref name="Article" /> Sharapova's father took various low-paying jobs, to fund her lessons until she was old enough to be admitted to the academy. Before she entered the IMG business, she trained with Rick Macci, in the Rick Macci Tennis Academy. She then was offered a deal from IMG which forced her to change academies. Originally, she did train with Rick Macci, but after the deal with IMG, she could not see Rick Macci anymore. In 1995, she was signed by [[IMG (business)|IMG]], who agreed to pay the annual tuition fee of $35,000 for Sharapova to stay at the Academy, allowing her to finally enroll at the age of 9.<ref name="times"/>
==Tennis career==
===Junior and early career===
Sharapova first hit the tennis scene in November 2000, when she won the Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championships in the girls' 16 division at the age of just 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eddieherr.com/PastChampions.htm|publisher=Eddie Herr Official Website|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725075033/http://www.eddieherr.com/PastChampions.htm|archivedate=July 25, 2012|title=Eddie Herr Past Champions|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref> She was then given a special distinction, the Rising Star Award, which is awarded only to players of exceptional promise.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317171129/http://www.eddieherr.com/2009/PlayerPacket09.pdf|archivedate=March 17, 2012|url=http://www.eddieherr.com/2009/PlayerPacket09.pdf|publisher=Eddie Herr Official Website|title=Eddie Herr International Special Awards|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref> Sharapova made her professional debut in 2001 on her 14th birthday on April 19, and played her first WTA tournament at the [[Pacific Life Open]] in 2002, winning a match before losing to [[Monica Seles]]. Due to restrictions on how many professional events she could play, Sharapova went to hone her game in junior tournaments, where she reached the finals of the girls' singles events at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2002. She was the youngest girl ever to reach the final of the Australian Open junior championship at 14 years and 9 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5567102/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-20-facts-you-didnt-know.html|title=Wimbledon 2009: Maria Sharapova – 20 facts you didn't know|author=Nick Collins|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=June 24, 2009|accessdate=July 19, 2010}}</ref>
Sharapova reached No. 6 in the [[International Tennis Federation|ITF]] junior world singles ranking on October 21, 2002. In all, she won three junior singles tournaments and was runner-up at five, including two junior Grand Slam events. Her win-loss record in junior competition was 47–9.<ref>[http://www.itftennis.com/juniors/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=100013223 ITF Tennis Player Profile], ITF Juniors</ref> Her best results in the Junior Grand Slam tournaments were the finals of the [[2002 Australian Open]], finals of the [[2002 Wimbledon Championships]], third round of the [[2002 French Open]], and second round of the [[2001 US Open (tennis)|2001 US Open]].
===2003: First tournament titles===
From 2003, Sharapova played a full season and made a rapid climb into the top 50 by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Rankings_Stats/Singles_Numeric_2003.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928193303/http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Rankings_Stats/Singles_Numeric_2003.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |author=Liz Schroeder |publisher=WTA |title=WTA Tour Singles Ranking 2003 |date=November 10, 2003 |accessdate=June 12, 2010 }}</ref> She made her debuts at both the [[2003 Australian Open|Australian Open]] and the [[2003 French Open|French Open]], but failed to win a match in either. Then, as a wildcard at [[2003 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], she defeated 11th seed [[Jelena Dokić]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/wimbledon_2003/3028488.stm|title=Sharapova dismisses Dokic|publisher=BBC|date=June 28, 2003|accessdate=May 12, 2013}}</ref> her first win over a top-20 player, to reach the fourth round, where she lost in three sets to [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]].
By the end of September, Sharapova had already captured her first WTA title at a smaller event, the [[Japan Open Tennis Championships]], before winning her second in her final tournament of the season, the [[Bell Challenge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-11-02-quebec_x.htm|title=Sharapova handed Bell Challenge title|work=[[USA Today]] Co.|date=November 2, 2003|accessdate=May 12, 2013}}</ref> To cap off her first full season as a professional, she was awarded the WTA Newcomer of the Year honor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |title=WTA Awards |accessdate=May 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517115202/http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |archivedate=May 17, 2013 |df= }}</ref>
===2004: Wimbledon glory and rise to fame===
{{main|2004 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova was defeated in the third round of the [[2004 Australian Open|Australian Open]] by sixth seed [[Anastasia Myskina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/australian_open/2004/01/24/bc.sport.tennis.open.myskina/|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130616031055/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/australian_open/2004/01/24/bc.sport.tennis.open.myskina/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2013|accessdate=May 29, 2013|date=January 24, 2004|work=Sports Illustrated|title=Myskina downs Sharapova in Russian clash}}</ref> She later reached the semifinals at the [[2004 Kroger St. Jude International and the Cellular South Cup|Cellular South Cup]], where she lost to eventual champion [[Vera Zvonareva]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2004-02-20-roundup_x.htm|title=Federer upset in Rotterdam; Roddick falls at Kroger|date=February 20, 2004|work=[[USA Today]]|accessdate=May 29, 2013}}</ref>
During the spring clay-court season, Sharapova entered the top 20 on the WTA world rankings as a result of reaching the third round of the [[Qatar Telecom German Open]] and the [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia]], both of which were Tier I events. At the latter event, she defeated a player ranked in the top 10 for the first time with a straight-sets win over world No. 10 and [[2004 French Open – Women's Singles|2004 French Open]] finalist [[Elena Dementieva]]. Later that clay-court season, she went on to make the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time at the [[2004 French Open|French Open]], losing there to [[Paola Suárez]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/01/1086058856148.html|title=Suarez strikes another blow for Argentina|publisher=The Age|date=June 2, 2004|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon (2004) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004]]
Sharapova won the third title of her career at the [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] warm-up [[DFS Classic]], defeating [[Tatiana Golovin]] in the final. Seeded 13th and aged 17 at Wimbledon, she reached her first Grand Slam semifinal by defeating [[Ai Sugiyama]]. There, she defeated fifth seed and former champion [[Lindsay Davenport]]. In the final, Sharapova upset top seed and defending champion [[Serena Williams]] to win her first Grand Slam singles title, and become the third-youngest woman to win the Wimbledon title, behind only [[Lottie Dod]] and [[Martina Hingis]]. Sharapova also became the second Russian woman (after [[Anastasia Myskina]] had won the year's previous major at [[French Open|Roland Garros]]) to win a Grand Slam singles title. The victory was hailed by the media as "the most stunning upset in memory",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25495-2004Jul3.html|title=Sharapova Wins Wimbledon After Improbable Journey|work=[[The Washington Post]]|author=Liz Clarke|date=April 7, 2004|accessdate=June 20, 2010}}</ref> with other writers commenting on her arrival as a serious challenger to the [[Williams sisters|Williams']] dominance at Wimbledon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-11722204-birth-of-a-superstar.do|archive-url=https://archive.is/20120912142226/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-11722204-birth-of-a-superstar.do|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 12, 2012|title=Birth of a superstar|publisher=This Is London|author=Adrian Warner|date=February 7, 2004|accessdate=June 20, 2010}}</ref> She entered the top 10 in the rankings for the first time as a result of the win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=1834581|title=Sharapova vaults into top 10|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=July 6, 2004|accessdate=May 19, 2013}}</ref>
Following her Wimbledon win, attention and interest in Sharapova in the media greatly increased, a rise in popularity dubbed "Maria Mania."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/27/commentary/column_sportsbiz/sportsbiz/index.htm|title=Maria Mania: no stopping her now|publisher=CNN|author=Chris Isidore|date=August 30, 2004|accessdate=June 20, 2010}}</ref> She won three of six matches in her preparations for the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. At the US Open itself, she reached the third round, before being eliminated by [[Mary Pierce]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/3628366.stm|title=Pierce shocks Sharapova|publisher=BBC|date=September 4, 2004|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> In order to regain confidence, Sharapova played and won consecutive titles in Asia in the fall, the [[Hansol Korea Open Tennis Championships]] and the [[Japan Open Tennis Championships]].
In October, Sharapova defeated [[Venus Williams]] en route to making the final of a Tier I event for the first time at the [[Zurich Open]], losing in the final to [[Alicia Molik]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/25/1098556329960.html?from=storylhs|title=Molik stuns Sharapova in Zurich final|publisher=The Age|date=October 25, 2004|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> She then made her debut at the year-ending [[WTA Tour Championships]]. There, she won two of her three round-robin matches (including a win over US Open champion [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]]) in order to advance to the semifinals, where she defeated Myskina. In the final, she defeated an injured Serena Williams, after trailing 4–0 in the final set.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4015111.stm|title=Sharapova wins season's finale|publisher=BBC|date=November 16, 2004|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref>
===2005: World No. 1===
{{main|2005 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova started the year at the [[2005 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she defeated fifth seed [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] to reach the second Grand Slam semifinal of her career. Sharapova held match points in the second and third set of her semifinal match, before losing to eventual champion [[Serena Williams]]. In February, Sharapova won back-to-back tournaments, the [[Toray Pan Pacific Open]] and the [[Qatar Total Open]], allowing her to reach number 3 in the world rankings for the first time.
In the semifinals of the Tier I [[Pacific Life Open]], Sharapova was defeated by [[Lindsay Davenport]], the first time she had failed to win a game in a match.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4363185.stm|title=Sharapova humiliated by Davenport|publisher=BBC|date=March 18, 2005|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> She defeated former world No. 1 players [[Justine Henin]] and [[Venus Williams]] to reach the final at the Tier I [[NASDAQ-100 Open]], where she lost to [[Kim Clijsters]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/01/sports/tennis/01tennis.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fS%2fSharapova%2c%20Maria&_r=0|title=Sharapova Rights Her Game vs. Venus Williams|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Sandra Harwitt|date=April 1, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21225-2005Apr2.html|title=Clijsters's Dream Continues|work=[[The Washington Post]]|author=Amy Shipley|date=April 3, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova made the semifinals of a clay-court tournament for the first time at the [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]], where she lost to [[Patty Schnyder]]. Sharapova would have become world No. 1 for the first time had she won the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4544729.stm|title=Sharapova edges nearer to summit|publisher=BBC|date=May 13, 2005|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> Sharapova then reached the quarterfinals of the [[2005 French Open|French Open]] for the second consecutive year, before losing to eventual champion Henin.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/01/tennis.frenchopen2005|title=Henin reduces Sharapova to dust|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Stephen Bierley|date=June 1, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> On grass, Sharapova won her third title of the year when she successfully defended her title at the [[DFS Classic]], defeating [[Jelena Janković]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4085880.stm|title=Sharapova keeps Birmingham title|publisher=BBC|date=June 12, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> As the defending champion at [[2005 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Sharapova reached the semifinals without dropping a set and losing a service game just once, extending her winning streak on grass to 24 matches. However, she was then beaten by eventual champion [[Venus Williams]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4639341.stm|title=Williams ends Sharapova's defence|publisher=BBC|date=June 30, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova had far fewer points to defend, and so she became the first Russian woman to hold the world No. 1 ranking on August 22, 2005.<ref name="wtacareer">{{cite web|url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/qa-sharapovas-first-business-aims-for-the-sweet-spot/479274.html|title=Q&A: Sharapova's First Business Aims for the Sweet Spot|work=[[The Moscow Times]]|date=April 26, 2013|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Her reign lasted only one week, however, as Davenport reclaimed the top ranking after winning the [[Pilot Pen Tennis]] tournament.<ref name="wtacareer"/>
As the top seed at the [[2005 US Open – Women's Singles|US Open]], Sharapova lost in the semifinals to [[Kim Clijsters]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4228310.stm|title=Clijsters battles past Sharapova|publisher=BBC|date=September 9, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> meaning she had lost to the eventual champion in every Grand Slam of the season. However, she once again leapfrogged Davenport to take the world No. 1 ranking on September 12, 2005. She retained it for six weeks, but after playing few tournaments while injured, she again relinquished the ranking to Davenport.<ref name="wtacareer"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/17404-davenport-regains-no-1-ranking|title=Davenport regains No. 1 ranking|publisher=NDTV|date=August 27, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2013}}</ref> To conclude the year, Sharapova failed to defend her title at the year-end [[Sony Ericsson Championships]] in Los Angeles, defeating Davenport in one of her round-robin matches, but ultimately losing in the semifinals to eventual champion [[Amélie Mauresmo]].
===2006: US Open champion===
{{main|2006 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
[[File:MariaSharapova (cropped).JPG|thumb|upright|Sharapova celebrating after winning the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|2006 US Open]]]]
Sharapova started 2006 by losing in the semifinals of the [[2006 Australian Open|Australian Open]] in three sets to Henin,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen06/news/story?id=2579411|title=Sharapova, Henin-Hardenne advance to Open final|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=September 8, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> also losing a rematch several weeks later at the [[Dubai Tennis Championships]], having defeated former world No. 1 [[Martina Hingis]] and world No. 3 [[Lindsay Davenport]] in earlier rounds of the tournament. Sharapova claimed her first title in nine months at the Tier I tournament in Indian Wells, defeating Hingis in the semifinals and [[Elena Dementieva]] in the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4818828.stm|title=Sharapova into all-Russian final|publisher=BBC|date=March 18, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-03-19/sports/0603190381_1_pacific-life-open-title-indian-wells-james-blake|title=Sharapova wins Pacific Life|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=March 19, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> She reached the final in [[2006 NASDAQ-100 Open – Women's Singles|Miami]] before losing to Kuznetsova.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/apr/02/tennis.richardevans|title=Kuznetsova quiets Sharapova scream on the way to title|publisher=The Guardian|date=April 2, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova returned for the [[2006 French Open – Women's Singles|French Open]]. There, after saving match points in defeating [[Mashona Washington]] in the first round, she was eliminated by [[Dinara Safina]] in the fourth round.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/sports/tennis/04french-wire.html?_r=0|title= Sharapova Falls at French Open |work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 4, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> On grass, Sharapova was unsuccessful in her attempt to win in Birmingham for the third consecutive year, losing in the semifinals to [[Jamea Jackson]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/5091134.stm|title= Sharapova suffers surprise defeat |publisher=BBC|date=June 17, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Despite that, she was among the title favorites at [[2006 Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], where the eventual champion Mauresmo ended up beating her in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200607/s1680842.htm|title=Mauresmo survives lapse to reach Wimbledon final|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]|date=July 7, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova claimed her second title of the year at the Tier I [[Acura Classic]], defeating Clijsters for the first time in the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2006-08-06-acura-classic_x.htm|title=Sharapova outlasts Clijsters in Acura final|date=August 6, 2006|work=[[USA Today]]|accessdate=May 31, 2013}}</ref> As the third seed at the [[2006 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], Sharapova defeated top seed Mauresmo for the first time in the semifinals,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/open/2006-09-08-day-12_x.htm?POESPOISVA|title=Sharapova stops No. 1 Mauresmo, will meet Henin-Hardenne in U.S. Open final|date=September 8, 2006|work=[[USA Today]]|accessdate=May 31, 2013}}</ref> and then followed up by beating second seed [[Justine Henin]] to win her second Grand Slam singles title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen06/news/story?id=2581102|title=Sharapova drops Henin-Hardenne to win U.S. Open title|date=September 12, 2006|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=May 31, 2013}}</ref>
That autumn, Sharapova won titles in back-to-back weeks at the [[Zurich Open]] and the [[Generali Ladies Linz]]. By winning all three of her round-robin matches at the [[2006 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|WTA Tour Championships]], she extended her win streak to 19 matches, before it was snapped in the semifinals by eventual champion Henin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-11-26/sports/0611250235_1_maria-sharapova-justine-henin-hardenne-wta-championships|title=Henin-Hardenne came up aces|publisher=[[Sun Sentinel]]|date=November 26, 2006|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova would have finished the season as world No. 1 had she won the event. As it was, she finished ranked world No. 2, her best year-end finish yet.
===2007: Return to No. 1, shoulder injury and fall from the Top 5===
Sharapova was the top seed at the [[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|Australian Open]] due to top-ranked [[Justine Henin]]'s withdrawal. After being two points away from defeat in the first round against [[Camille Pin]], she went on to reach the final of the tournament for the first time, but was routed there by [[Serena Williams]] who was ranked world No. 81 at the time. After reaching the final, Sharapova recaptured the world No. 1 ranking.<ref name="wtacareer"/> She held it for seven weeks, surrendering it back to Henin after failing to defend her title at the [[Pacific Life Open]], instead losing in the fourth round to [[Vera Zvonareva]] after struggling with a hamstring injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6326809.stm|title=Leg injury forces Sharapova out|publisher=BBC|date=February 3, 2007|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref> The following fortnight, she defeated [[Venus Williams]] in the third round of the [[Sony Ericsson Open]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/03/25/us-tennis-miami-idUSL2308180420070325|title=Sharapova sets up Venus showdown in rainy Miami|agency=Reuters|date=March 27, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> before being beaten again by Serena Williams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voices.yahoo.com/serena-williams-defeats-maria-sharapova-today-key-270447.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729030341/http://voices.yahoo.com/serena-williams-defeats-maria-sharapova-today-key-270447.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2014|title=Serena Williams Defeats Maria Sharapova Today in Key Biscayne|publisher=[[Yahoo]]|author=Verdell A. Wright|date=March 27, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
A shoulder injury forced Sharapova to miss most of the clay-court season for the second consecutive year, resulting in her only tune-up for the [[2007 French Open|French Open]] being the [[İstanbul Cup]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6689561.stm|title=Sharapova battles to Istanbul win|publisher=BBC|date=May 24, 2007|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref> where she lost in the semifinals to [[Aravane Rezaï]]. She reached the semifinals of the French Open for the first time in her career, before losing to [[Ana Ivanovic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jun/07/tennis.frenchopen2007|title=Ivanovic stuns Sharapova to set up Henin showdown|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 7, 2007|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref> On grass, Sharapova was runner-up to [[Jelena Janković]] at the [[DFS Classic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6762093.stm|title=Jankovic seals win over Sharapova|publisher=BBC|date=June 17, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Following that, she experienced her earliest Wimbledon loss since 2003 by losing in the fourth round to eventual champion Venus Williams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/04/tennis.wimbledon1|title=Henin sends Serena crashing out|publisher=The Guardian|date=July 4, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova clinched the [[US Open Series]] by defending her title at the [[Acura Classic]], her only championship of the year, and reaching the semifinals in Los Angeles.<ref name="wtacareer"/> In her [[2007 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] title defense, Sharapova was upset in her third-round match to 30th seed [[Agnieszka Radwańska]],<ref name="radwanska">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6974187.stm|title=Sharapova loses to teen Radwanska|publisher=BBC|date=September 1, 2007|accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> making it her earliest exit at a Grand Slam singles tournament since the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|2004 US Open]], where she lost in the same round.<ref name="wtacareer"/>
Following the US Open loss, Sharapova did not play again until the [[Kremlin Cup]] in October, where she lost her opening match to [[Victoria Azarenka]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7038379.stm|title=Sharapova crashes out in Moscow|publisher=BBC|date=October 10, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Shortly after this, she fell out of the top 5 in the world rankings for the first time since 2004. She qualified for the eight-woman year-end [[2007 WTA Tour Championships|Sony Ericsson Championships]] because of a withdrawal by Venus Williams before the start of the tournament.<ref name="wtacareer"/> Despite having not previously won a match in two months, Sharapova topped her round-robin group at the tournament, after winning all three of her matches, defeating [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]], Ana Ivanovic, and [[Daniela Hantuchová]]. She then defeated [[Anna Chakvetadze]] in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/nov/11/tennis.news|title=Sharapova straight in|author=Richard Evans |date=November 11, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> In the final, she lost to world No. 1 Henin in a match that lasted 3 hours and 24 minutes. Sharapova reached the top 5 again to end the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3149968|title=Strong finish for Sharapova; stronger return by Davenport|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Joel Drucker|date=December 13, 2007|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
===2008: Australian Open champion, No. 1 and second shoulder injury===
{{main|2008 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova was seeded fifth at the [[2008 Australian Open|Australian Open]], but was not considered a favorite. Nevertheless, she defeated former world No. 1 [[Lindsay Davenport]] in the second round, and then world No. 1 Henin in the quarterfinals,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7201953.stm|title=Brilliant Sharapova hammers Henin|publisher=BBC|date=January 22, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> ending the latter's 32-match winning streak.<ref>{{cite news|last=Clarey|first=Christopher|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/sports/tennis/24tennis.html?fta=y|title=Sharapova Reaches the Final Again and Hopes for a Better Outcome|work=The New York Times |date=January 24, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> She proceeded to the finals by defeating [[Jelena Janković]] in the semifinals, and defeated [[Ana Ivanovic]] in the final to win her third Grand Slam title, having not dropped a set all tournament.
After the Australian Open, Sharapova extended her winning streak to 18 matches. This run encompassed two wins including at the Tier I [[2008 Qatar Total Open|Qatar Total Open]]. Her winning streak was ended in the semifinals of the [[2008 Pacific Life Open|Pacific Life Open]] by Kuznetsova. In April, Sharapova won the [[2008 Bausch & Lomb Championships|Bausch & Lomb Championships]], having survived her longest-ever match, at 3 hours and 26 minutes long, in the third round against [[Anabel Medina Garrigues]].<ref name="epicbattle">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7341970.stm|title=Sharapova wins epic battle|publisher=BBC|date=April 11, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> The following week, at the [[2008 Family Circle Cup|Family Circle Cup]], she lost in the quarterfinals to [[Serena Williams]], her fourth consecutive loss to the American.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2004359654_digs19.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908041540/http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2004359654_digs19.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2014|title=Tennis: Serena Williams beats Maria Sharapova 4th time in a row|work=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=April 19, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
In May, Sharapova regained the world No. 1 ranking because of Henin's sudden retirement from professional tennis and request to the [[Women's Tennis Association|WTA]] that her own ranking be removed immediately.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=tennis&id=3397722|title=Sharapova to take over top ranking from retired Henin|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=May 15, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> As the top-seeded player at the [[2008 French Open – Women's Singles|French Open]], Sharapova was within two points<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french08/news/story?id=3415126|title=Sharapova needs 8–6 win in third set to overcome Rodina|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=May 28, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> of being knocked out by [[Evgeniya Rodina]] in the first round, before eventually winning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/8184486/Sharapova-a-long-way-from-Grand-Slam-form|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215040319/http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/8184486/Sharapova-a-long-way-from-Grand-Slam-form|archivedate=February 15, 2009|title=Sharapova a long way from Grand Slam form|publisher=[[Fox News Channel]]|date=May 28, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> As a result of losing to eventual finalist [[Dinara Safina]] in the fourth round (after serving for the match),<ref>{{cite news|last=Clarey|first=Christopher|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/sports/tennis/03tennis.html|title=Sharapova Roars, but She Is Silenced by Safina Once Again|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 3, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> she relinquished her No. 1 ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3424588|title=Sharapova to drop from top spot after French Open|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=June 3, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref> Her dip in form continued at [[Wimbledon 2008|Wimbledon]], where she lost in the second round to world No. 154 [[Alla Kudryavtseva]]. This was her earliest loss at Wimbledon, and at any Grand Slam in almost five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon08/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&id=3462202|title=Sharapova loss just the start of a chaotic day at Wimbledon|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=June 27, 2008|accessdate=August 7, 2011}}</ref>
Sharapova withdrew from the [[Rogers Cup (tennis)|Rogers Cup]] tournament in August following a shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2008/07/30/rogers-cup-three.html|title=Sharapova withdraws from Rogers Cup|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]|date=July 31, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> An [[magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]] scan revealed that she had been suffering from a [[rotator cuff tear]] since April, forcing her out of all tournaments for the rest of the season, including the [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics|Beijing Olympics]], the [[2008 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], and the [[2008 WTA Tour Championships|WTA Tour Championships]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/tennis/7536416.stm|title=Sharapova to miss US Open & Games|publisher=BBC|date=August 1, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In spite of that, she still finished the year ranked world No. 9. In October, after a failed attempt to rehabilitate the shoulder, Sharapova had surgery to repair the tear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2011-06-30-Brennan-maria-sharapova-wimbledon-final_n.htm|title=Sharapova back at last where she belongs|work=[[USA Today]]|author=Christine Brennan|date=June 30, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
===2009–2010: Shoulder surgery, rehabilitation, comeback and struggles with form===
{{main|2009 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova did not attempt to defend her [[2009 Australian Open|Australian Open]] title, as she continued to recover from surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/tennis/sharapova-out/2009/01/11/1231608525444.html|title=Sharapova out after shoulder fails to recover|publisher=Fairfax Digital|work=The Age|author=Linda Pearce|date=January 12, 2009|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> She returned to the sport in March, in the doubles tournament at the [[2009 BNP Paribas Open – Women's Doubles|BNP Paribas Open]], but she and partner [[Elena Vesnina]] lost in the first round. After this, Sharapova withdrew from further singles tournaments, resulting in her standing in the world rankings being severely affected. She dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in six years in May, the nadir being world No. 126.<ref name="wtatennis" />
[[File:Maria Sharapova at 2009 Roland Garros, Paris, France.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|Sharapova made the quarterfinals of the [[2009 French Open|French Open]], her best Grand Slam performance of 2009]]
Playing her first singles tournament in nearly ten months, Sharapova made the quarterfinals of the clay-court [[2009 Warsaw Open – Singles|Warsaw Open]] in May, losing to finalist [[Alona Bondarenko]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4192265|title=Bondarenko wins in straight sets|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=May 21, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> The following week, in her first Grand Slam appearance since her surgery, she reached the quarterfinals of the [[2009 French Open – Women's Singles|French Open]], before her run was ended by [[Dominika Cibulková]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/5430320/French-Open-2009-Maria-Sharapova-and-the-curse-of-the-cover-stars.html|title=French Open 2009: Maria Sharapova and the curse of the cover stars |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|author=Mark Hodgkinson|date=June 2, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref>
During the summer grass-court season, Sharapova played in [[2009 Aegon Classic – Singles|Birmingham]], losing in the semifinals to Li Na.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4256242|title=Sharapova broken six times in loss|date=June 13, 2009|publisher=[[ESPN]]|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova then played at [[2009 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] as the 24th seed. She was upset in the second round by [[Gisela Dulko]] in three sets.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5624035/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-suffers-shock-defeat-by-Gisela-Dulko.html|title=Wimbledon 2009: Maria Sharapova suffers shock defeat by Gisela Dulko|last=Hodgkinson|first=Mark|date=June 24, 2009|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|accessdate=May 18, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova enjoyed considerable success in the summer months, reaching the quarterfinals at the [[2009 Bank of the West Classic|Bank of the West Classic]], the semifinals at the [[2009 LA Women's Tennis Championships|LA Women's Tennis Championships]], and finishing runner-up at the [[2009 Rogers Cup|Rogers Cup]] to [[Elena Dementieva]]. At the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|2009 US Open]], Sharapova was seeded 29th. She found her way into the third round, defeating [[Tsvetana Pironkova]] and [[Christina McHale]] all in straight sets. She was stunned in the third round by American teenager [[Melanie Oudin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4448907|title=Oudin's run continues; Safina exits early|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=September 6, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> It was the second time in Sharapova's career that she lost to a teenager at a [[Grand Slam (tennis)|Grand Slam]], having lost to [[Agnieszka Radwańska]] during the same event in 2007. The loss made Sharapova's ranking go down to No. 32.<ref name="wtatennis" />
The final stretch of the season brought Sharapova her first title of the year in [[2009 Toray Pan Pacific Open|Tokyo]], after opponent [[Jelena Janković]] retired after being down 2–5 to Sharapova in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/10/03/tennis.sharapova.jankovic.venus/|title= Sharapova lands Tokyo title as Jankovic quits |publisher=CNN|date=October 3, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> By virtue of that result, she was the recipient of a bye at the [[2009 China Open (tennis)|China Open]], but failed to capitalize on it, losing to [[Peng Shuai]] in the third round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/oct/07/maria-sharapova-china-open-shuai|title=Tired Maria Sharapova knocked out of China Open by Peng Shuai|publisher=The Guardian|date=October 7, 2009|accessdate=June 9, 2013}}</ref> She ultimately finished the season at world No. 14, having improved from No. 126 when she started her comeback from injury.<ref name="wtatennis" />
{{main|2010 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
After playing two exhibition tournaments in Asia, Sharapova officially began her season at the [[2010 Australian Open|Australian Open]], where she was upset in her first-round match against [[Maria Kirilenko]]. The loss meant that for the first time since 2003, Sharapova had lost her opening match at a Grand Slam event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/australianopen/7016124/Australian-Open-2010-Maria-Sharapova-dumped-out-by-Maria-Kirilenko.html|author=Mark Hodgkinson|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|title=Australian Open 2010: Maria Sharapova dumped out by Maria Kirilenko|date=January 18, 2010|accessdate=June 12, 2010|location=London}}</ref> She then rebounded by winning a smaller American event, the [[2010 Regions Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup|Cellular South Cup]], her 21st career WTA title and first of the year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8526723.stm|title=Maria Sharapova beats Sofia Arvidsson in Memphis final|date=January 21, 2010|work=BBC Sport |accessdate=February 22, 2010}}</ref>
At the [[2010 BNP Paribas Open|BNP Paribas Open]], Sharapova lost in the third round to [[Zheng Jie]], aggravating a bruised bone on her right elbow in the process, which resulted in her eventual withdrawal from the [[2010 Sony Ericsson Open|Sony Ericsson Open]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/tennis/03/18/tennis.sharapova.injury.elbow/index.html|publisher=CNN|title=Sharapova suffers fresh setback after elbow injury|date=March 18, 2010|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref> and the [[2010 Family Circle Cup|Family Circle Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usta.com/Global/Pro_Tennis/Pro_Tennis/Wire/2010/04/09/Serena_Williams_Sharapova_withdraw_from_Family_Circle_Cup.aspx |publisher=United States Tennis Association |title=Serena Williams, Sharapova withdraw from Family Circle Cup |date=April 9, 2010 |accessdate=June 12, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413075534/http://www.usta.com/Global/Pro_Tennis/Pro_Tennis/Wire/2010/04/09/Serena_Williams_Sharapova_withdraw_from_Family_Circle_Cup.aspx |archivedate=April 13, 2010 }}</ref>
Returning at the [[2010 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open]], Sharapova lost in the first round to [[Lucie Šafářová]]. She continued her French Open preparation at the [[2010 Internationaux de Strasbourg|Internationaux de Strasbourg]] as a wildcard, advancing to the final, where she beat [[Kristina Barrois]]. This was her first title on red clay and 22nd overall title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/tennis/2010/05/24/257792/Sharapova-wins.htm|work=The China Post|location=Taiwan (ROC)|title=Sharapova wins second 2010 title at Strasbourg|date=May 24, 2010|accessdate=June 12, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925202148/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/tennis/2010/05/24/257792/Sharapova-wins.htm|archivedate=September 25, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> At the [[2010 French Open|French Open]], Sharapova's brief clay season culminated with a third-round loss to four-time champion [[Justine Henin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/7785938/French-Open-2010-Justine-Henin-defeats-Maria-Sharapova.html|title=French Open 2010: Justine Henin defeats Maria Sharapova|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=May 30, 2010|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova began her preparations for Wimbledon at the [[2010 Aegon Classic|Aegon Classic]]. She advanced to the final for the fourth time, where she lost to [[Li Na]]. As the 16th seed at [[2010 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]], Sharapova lost in the fourth round to world No. 1 and eventual champion [[Serena Williams]], despite having three set points in the opening set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/tennis/tournaments/story/0,25174,18898_6236218,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701033332/http://www.skysports.com/tennis/tournaments/story/0%2C25174%2C18898_6236218%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 1, 2010 |title=Sharapova tests Serena |work=Sky Sports |date=June 29, 2010 |accessdate=July 3, 2010 |df= }}</ref> The match was seen as another encouraging performance for Sharapova, with some stating their belief that she was approaching the form that would see her contending for Grand Slams once more,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/serena-forced-into-top-gear-to-tame-sharapova-2013078.html|title=Serena forced into top gear to tame Sharapova|author=Chris McGrath|work=The Independent |location=UK|date=June 29, 2010|accessdate=July 3, 2010 }}</ref> and Sharapova herself stating that she felt that she was "in a much better spot than I was last year."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/serena-williams-avoids-flashback-beats-sharapova/|title=Serena Williams Avoids Flashback, Beats Sharapova|author=John Martin|work=The New York Times|date=June 28, 2010|accessdate=July 3, 2010}}</ref>
During the [[US Open Series]], Sharapova made two straight finals, losing to [[Victoria Azarenka]] at the [[2010 Bank of the West Classic – Singles|Bank of the West Classic]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2010-08-01-bank-of-the-west-classic_N.htm|title=Azarenka rolls past Sharapova to win Bank of the West title|work=[[USA Today]]|date=February 8, 2010|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref> and to [[Kim Clijsters]] at the [[2010 Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open – Singles|Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cincytennis.com/clijsters_wins/|title=Clijsters Storms Back to Win 2010 Women's Open|publisher=WTA|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref> In the latter match, Sharapova held three match points while leading 5–3 on Clijsters's serve late in the second set, but could not convert them. At the [[2010 US Open (tennis)|U.S. Open]], Sharapova was the 14th seed. She made it to the fourth round, where she played top seed and 2009 finalist [[Caroline Wozniacki]] and lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen10/news/story?id=5539423|title=Maria Sharapova loses in 4th round|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=September 7, 2010|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova's last two tournaments of the season ended in disappointment. She played in the [[2010 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Singles|Toray Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo, where she was upset in the first round by 39-year-old [[Kimiko Date-Krumm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2010-09-27-pan-pacific-open_N.htm|title=Japan's Date Krumm ousts Sharapova at Pan Pacific Open|work=USA Today|date=September 29, 2010|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Her last tournament of the year was the [[2010 China Open – Women's Singles|China Open]], where she lost in the second round to fellow Russian [[Elena Vesnina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/oct/07/maria-sharapova-china-open-shuai|title=Tired Maria Sharapova knocked out of China Open by Peng Shuai|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 7, 2010|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> She ended the year at number 18 in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/photos/article/2213795/title/2010-year-end-top-20|title=2010: Year-End Top 20|publisher=WTA|date=November 10, 2010|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
===2011: Return to the Top 10===
It was announced that Sharapova would bring in [[Thomas Högstedt]] as a coach for the 2011 season, joining [[Michael Joyce (tennis)|Michael Joyce]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2010/12/sharapova-hires-hogstedt-to-co-coach-with-joyce/26210/|title=Sharapova hires Hogstedt to co-coach with Joyce|author=Matthew Cronin|publisher=TENNIS.com|date=December 4, 2010|accessdate=October 23, 2014 }}</ref> On December 5, Sharapova won an exhibition match against world No. 2 [[Vera Zvonareva]] in Monterrey, Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://origin-www.wtatennis.com/page/OffCourtNews/Read/0,,12781~2239156,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130615221220/http://origin-www.wtatennis.com/page/OffCourtNews/Read/0,,12781~2239156,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |title=Maria & Vera In Monterrey |publisher=WTA |date=December 7, 2010 |accessdate=May 4, 2013 }}</ref> In Sharapova's first official Australian Open warm-up tournament at the [[2011 ASB Classic – Singles|2011 ASB Classic]] in Auckland, New Zealand, she was seeded first. She lost to the Hungarian veteran and eventual champion [[Gréta Arn]] in the quarterfinals. After the ASB Classic, Sharapova decided to split up with Joyce, ending a successful cooperation that has brought her two Grand Slam victories and the world No. 1 ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.ria.ru/sports/20110116/162167367.html|title=Sharapova's long-time coach leaves job|publisher=RIA Novosti|date=January 16, 2011|accessdate=October 23, 2014}}</ref>
Sharapova participated in the first Grand Slam of the season at the [[2011 Australian Open – Women's Singles|Australian Open]], where she was the 14th seed, but lost to [[Andrea Petkovic]] in the fourth round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/sports/20110123/162258814.html|title=Russia's Sharapova loses out to Germany's Petkovic in Australian Open|author=Anton Denisov|date=January 23, 2011|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}</ref> She also had to pull out of the [[2011 Dubai Tennis Championships]] and [[2011 Qatar Ladies Open]] because of an ear infection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/blog/_/name/espntennis/month/february-2011|title=Work to do for Roddick and the Americans|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Ravi Ubha|date=February 16, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova returned to the tour in March by taking part in the [[2011 BNP Paribas Open]], where she was seeded 16th. She defeated former world No. 1 [[Dinara Safina]], in the fourth round en route to the semifinal, where she lost to world No. 1 [[Caroline Wozniacki]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/wozniacki-wins-bnp-paribaas-open_n_838169.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323155204/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/wozniacki-wins-bnp-paribaas-open_n_838169.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 23, 2011 |title=Wozniacki Wins BNP Paribas Open, Beats Marion Bartoli In Finals |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |author=Beth Harris |date=March 20, 2011 |accessdate=June 14, 2013 |df= }}</ref> At the [[2011 Sony Ericsson Open]] in Key Biscayne, Sharapova defeated 26th seed [[Alexandra Dulgheru]] in the quarterfinals, in a match lasting 3 hours and 28 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/sports/20110330/163283242.html|title=Russia's Sharapova moves into semis at Miami tennis tournament|publisher=[[RIA Novosti]]|date=March 30, 2011|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref> In the semifinals, Sharapova took her [[2011 Australian Open – Women's Singles|Australian Open]] reprisal on Germany's [[Andrea Petkovic]] by defeating her. In the final, she was defeated by [[Victoria Azarenka]], despite a late comeback in the second set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/aus12/story/_/id/7513049/2012-australian-open-victoria-azarenka-routs-maria-sharapova-win-title|title=Victoria Azarenka routs Sharapova|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=January 29, 2011|accessdate=June 14, 2013}}</ref> With this result, Sharapova returned to the top 10 for the first time since February 2009.<ref name="wtatennis"/>
During the clay-court season, Sharapova participated in [[2011 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open]], where she lost to [[Dominika Cibulková]] in the third round, and the [[2011 Internazionali BNL d'Italia]], where she was seeded seventh. She defeated top seed Caroline Wozniacki in the semifinals and sixth seed Samantha Stosur in the final to take home the title, marking her biggest clay-court victory to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2360583/title/sharapovas-greatest-clay-court-triumph|title=Sharapova's Greatest Clay Court Triumph|publisher=WTA|date=May 15, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> At the [[2011 French Open]], Sharapova was seeded seventh. She defeated French wildcard [[Caroline Garcia]] in the second round, despite trailing 3–6, 1–4, before winning the last 11 games of the match. In the quarterfinals, she defeated 15th seed [[Andrea Petkovic]], marking her first Grand Slam semifinal since her comeback from the career-threatening shoulder injury. She then lost to sixth seed and eventual champion [[Li Na]], in the semifinals, ending her clay season with a win-loss record of 12–2.<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322014754/http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2011-06-02/201106021307029251097.html|archivedate=March 22, 2012|url=http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2011-06-02/201106021307029251097.html|title=Li sweeps Sharapova aside for tilt at title|author=Louisa Baker|date=June 2, 2011|accessdate=June 4, 2011}}</ref>
At the [[2011 Wimbledon Championships]], Sharapova had not dropped a set entering the final, before losing to eighth seed [[Petra Kvitová]] in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/14002512|title=Wimbledon 2011: Petra Kvitova beats Maria Sharapova to title|publisher=BBC|author=Piers Newbery|date=July 2, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> This marked her first final in over three years at a Grand Slam event. Sharapova started her summer hard-court season at the [[2011 Bank of the West Classic]] in [[Stanford, California]]. In a highly anticipated match, Sharapova lost to the eventual champion [[Serena Williams]] in the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2405569/title/serena-shines-in-qfs-lisicki-awaits-in-sfs|title=Serena Shines In QFs, Lisicki Awaits In SFs|publisher=WTA|date=July 29, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In her next event at the [[2011 Rogers Cup – Women's Singles|2011 Rogers Cup]] in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Sharapova lost to [[Galina Voskoboeva]] in the third round, marking her 100th career loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2417634/title/stosur-dismisses-li-tough-day-for-faves|title=Stosur Dismisses Li, Tough Day For Faves|publisher=WTA|date=August 11, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Maria Sharapova 2011.jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova at the [[2011 Western & Southern Open|Western & Southern Open]], August 2011]]
Sharapova then contested the [[2011 Western & Southern Open – Women's Singles|2011 Western & Southern Open]] in [[Cincinnati]], Ohio. As the fourth seed, she received a bye into the second round. On the way to her fourth final of the year, she beat [[Anastasia Rodionova]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2422838/title/bartoli-back-on-track-serena-edges-hradecka|title=Bartoli Back On Track, Serena Edges Hradecka
|publisher=WTA|date=August 16, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> 14th seed [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2425089/title/hantuchova-gets-past-bartoli-zvonareva-next|title=Hantuchova Gets Past Bartoli, Zvonareva Next|publisher=WTA|date=August 18, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> tenth seed Samantha Stosur,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2426294/title/zvonareva-sharapova-to-clash-in-semifinals|title=Zvonareva & Sharapova to clash in semifinals|publisher=WTA|date=August 19, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> and 2nd seed Vera Zvonareva.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2427204/title/former-world-no1s-to-collide-in-cincinnati|title=Former world No. 1s to Collide in Cincinnati|publisher=WTA|date=August 20, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In the final, she defeated fellow former world No. 1 [[Jelena Janković]], in 2 hours and 49 minutes, making it the longest WTA tour final of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110821/SPT/308210027/Sharapova-wins-women-s-title?odyssey|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130407230738/http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110821/SPT/308210027/Sharapova-wins-women-s-title?odyssey|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 7, 2013|title=Sharapova wins women's title|publisher=Cincinnati.com|author=Shannon Russell|date=August 22, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> She subsequently moved up to world No. 4, her highest ranking since August 2008 and the highest since her comeback from her shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2428859/title/ranking-watch-maria-moves-up-to-no4|title=Ranking Watch: Maria Moves Up To No. 4|publisher=WTA|date=August 22, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova entered the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]], where she was seeded third. She beat [[Heather Watson]], and [[Anastasiya Yakimova]], to reach the third round. She was then upset by [[Flavia Pennetta]]. However, because of the fall of [[Kim Clijsters]] and Vera Zvonareva in the rankings, Sharapova climbed to world No. 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Maria-Sharapova-Shocked-Out-of-US-Open,-More-From-.aspx|title=Maria Sharapova Shocked Out of US Open, More From New York|publisher=Tennisnow|date=September 2, 2011|accessdate=September 2, 2011}}</ref> Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2011 Toray Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo, Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ajw.asahi.com/article/sports/topics/AJ2011093012822 |title=Sharapova limps out of Pan Pacific Open |publisher=The Asahi Shimbun Company |author=Rob Smaal |date=September 30, 2011 |accessdate=June 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231212/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/sports/topics/AJ2011093012822 |archivedate=February 21, 2014 |df= }}</ref> As second seed, she received a bye into the second round, where she beat [[Tamarine Tanasugarn]]. She then beat 13th seed [[Julia Görges]], before retiring against Petra Kvitová in the quarterfinal, 3–4, after slipping on the baseline, suffering an ankle injury. This also forced her to withdraw from the [[2011 China Open (tennis)|2011 China Open]] the following week. Sharapova then flew to Istanbul to prepare for the [[2011 WTA Tour Championships]], her first time qualifying since 2007. During the WTA Tour Championships, Sharapova withdrew during the round-robin stage after defeats against Samantha Stosur and [[Li Na]], as a result of the ankle injury she had suffered in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.rian.ru/sports/20110929/167244910.html|title=Ankle injury forces Sharapova to retire in Tokyo QF against Kvitova|publisher=[[RIA Novosti]]|date=September 29, 2011|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova ended the year as No. 4 in the world, her first top-10 finish since 2008 and first top-5 finish since 2007.
===2012: Career Grand Slam, back to No. 1 and Olympic silver===
{{main|2012 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova withdrew from the [[2012 Brisbane International]] because of her ongoing ankle injury.<ref>{{cite web|last=Musall |first=Jeff |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/news?slug=ycn-10746909 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111124801/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/news?slug=ycn-10746909 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |title=Maria Sharapova Withdraws from Brisbane, Still on for Australian Open: Fan Reaction – Tennis – Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date=April 20, 2011 |accessdate=January 25, 2012 |df= }}</ref> Her first tournament of the season was the [[2012 Australian Open]], where she was seeded fourth. Sharapova advanced to the final round defeating [[Gisela Dulko]], [[Jamie Hampton]], and 30th seed [[Angelique Kerber]], compatriot [[Ekaterina Makarova]] and world No. 2 [[Petra Kvitová]]. She lost to [[Victoria Azarenka]] in two sets. As a result, her ranking improved to world No. 3. She then played in the [[2012 Open GDF Suez|Paris]], where she lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Angelique Kerber. As a result, her ranking improved to world No. 2.
[[File:Flickr - Carine06 - Maria Sharapova (1).jpg|thumb|left|Sharapova at the 2012 Summer Olympics, July 2012]]
At the [[2012 BNP Paribas Open – Women's Singles|Indian Wells]], after battling for over three hours, Sharapova defeated compatriot [[Maria Kirilenko]] to set up a semifinal meeting with [[Ana Ivanovic]]. Sharapova advanced to the final after Ivanovic retired due to a hip injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkWBQLZ15wdEi6m7Hpp14Jg8J8mg?docId=CNG.697f089e0b767f4cfb209463a0122c94.61 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130615221223/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkWBQLZ15wdEi6m7Hpp14Jg8J8mg?docId=CNG.697f089e0b767f4cfb209463a0122c94.61 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |title=Ivanovic sweats on extent of hip injury |publisher=[[Google]] |author=Greg Heakes |date=May 17, 2012 |accessdate=June 2, 2013 }}</ref> In the final, she played world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka in a rematch of the Australian Open final, but lost again in straight sets. Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2012 Sony Ericsson Open]], where she was seeded 2nd and received a bye. In the final, Sharapova lost in straight sets to fifth seed [[Agnieszka Radwańska]]. This was her third loss of the year in finals out of four tournaments played so far. In the [[2012 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – Singles|Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]] in Stuttgart, Sharapova was seeded second. She had a bye in the first round, and advanced to the third round after [[Alizé Cornet]] retired in the second set. She won her first title of the year in Stuttgart after defeating world number one Victoria Azarenka. In doing so, Sharapova defeated three current Grand Slam title holders to win the tournament. Sharapova then played on the [[2012 Mutua Madrid Open]], a premier mandatory event. In the third round, Sharapova's opponent [[Lucie Šafářová]] was unable to compete and withdrew from the tournament, earning Sharapova a walkover into the quarterfinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/05/10/sharapova-serena-reach-madrid-open-quarters/|title=Sharapova, Serena reach Madrid Open quarters|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=May 10, 2012|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref> She was then beaten by eventual champion [[Serena Williams]] in straight sets.
As the defending champion and second seed at the [[2012 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Italian Open]], Sharapova had a bye in the first round. In the semifinals, Sharapova defeated Angelique Kerber to advance to the final for the second year in a row. In the final, Sharapova saved match point for a 2-hour 52-minute win over [[Li Na]] for her 26th career title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/18138072|title=Maria Sharapova |publisher=BBC|date=May 20, 2013|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> This marked the fourth time Sharapova had successfully defended a title.
Sharapova was seeded second at the [[2012 French Open|French Open]], where she defeated [[Alexandra Cadanțu]], [[Petra Kvitová]] on her way to the finals, allowing her to regain the world No. 1 ranking. In the final, she defeated [[Sara Errani]] for her first French Open title. Sharapova became only the tenth woman to complete a Career Grand Slam with the French Open victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/sharapova-savours-her-sweetest-triumph-as-reward-for-comeback-7834856.html|title=Sharapova savours her 'sweetest triumph' as reward for comeback |date=June 11, 2012|work=[[The Independent]]|accessdate=June 11, 2012 }}</ref> During the tournament, Sharapova was the [[List of flag bearers for Russia at the Olympics|inaugural female]] to bear the national flag at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] when she was asked by the [[Russian Olympic Committee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/olympics/blog/eye-on-olympics/19352136/maria-sharapova-to-carry-russian-flag-in-opening-ceremony|title=Maria Sharapova to carry Russian flag in opening ceremony|publisher=CBS Sports|author=Reid Cherner|date=June 14, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova then extended her win streak to 15 matches when she competed in the [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles#Section 1|Wimbledon Championships]] as a top seed career debut distinction. She was upset in the fourth round by 15th-seeded [[Sabine Lisicki]], whom she beat in the previous year's semifinals. Her No. 1 ranking was succeeded by Victoria Azarenka{{Citation needed|date=March 2018}}.
She made her Olympian debut at the [[Tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics|2012 Summer Olympics]] in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/tennis/story/_/id/8229534/2012-london-olympics-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-play-gold-medal|title=Serena, Maria Sharapova in final|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=August 3, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In the quarterfinals, Sharapova defeated fellow former No. 1 [[Kim Clijsters]] to advance to the semifinals, where she faced her compatriot, [[Maria Kirilenko]]. Sharapova defeated Kirilenko to reach the Olympic final, where she lost to Serena Williams,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9452056/London-2012-Olympics-Serena-Williams-storms-to-gold-medal-as-she-thrashes-Maria-Sharapova-in-womens-final.html|title=London 2012 Olympics: Serena Williams storms to gold medal as she thrashes Maria Sharapova in women's final |accessdate=August 4, 2012}}</ref> marking her worst defeat by the American. With this performance, Sharapova overtook Agnieszka Radwańska as world No. 2.
Sharapova was seeded third at the [[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|US Open]], but had no hard-court tune-ups after the Olympics due to a stomach virus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/27/sports/la-sp-sn-sharapova-not-pregnant-20120827|title=Maria Sharapova isn't pregnant, denies Istanbul wedding rumor|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|author=Diane Pucin|date=August 27, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In the fourth round, [[Nadia Petrova]] took it to a third set and was winning until a rain delay. After the delay, Sharapova came back to win. In the quarterfinals, she faced [[Marion Bartoli]], who was 4–0 up before a rain delay, which delayed the match a whole day. Sharapova then came back from a set down to win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/8342222/2012-us-open-maria-sharapova-once-again-reigns-rain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907134135/http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/8342222/2012-us-open-maria-sharapova-once-again-reigns-rain |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 7, 2012 |title=Maria Sharapova reigns after rain |publisher=[[ESPN]] |author=Jane McManus |date=September 6, 2012 |accessdate=June 2, 2013 |df= }}</ref> In the semifinals, Sharapova lost to world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka.
Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2012 Toray Pan Pacific Open – Singles|Toray Pan Pacific Open]] in Tokyo. She made it to the quarterfinals, losing to [[Samantha Stosur]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/172129.html|title= Sharapova and Azarenka out in Tokyo |publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=September 27, 2012|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref> At the [[2012 China Open – Women's Singles|China Open]] she was seeded second. In the finals she was again defeated by Azarenka.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.cntv.cn/program/sportsscene/20121008/104625.shtml|title=Azarenka overwhelms Sharapova to win China Open|publisher=China Central Television|date=October 8, 2012|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova's next tournament was the [[2012 WTA Tour Championships|year-end championships]] in Istanbul, where she was seeded [[2012 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|second]]. She defeated [[Sara Errani]], [[Agnieszka Radwańska]], and [[Samantha Stosur]] in the round-robin matches. In the semifinals, Sharapova beat Azarenka, bringing their head-to-head meetings to 7–5 in Azarenka's favour. Although Sharapova made it to the final, Azarenka clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking with her two round-robin wins. She lost to Serena Williams for the 13th consecutive time in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtachampionships.com/page/Scores/0,,12910,00.html |title=Scores |publisher=WTA |accessdate=June 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810072751/http://www.wtachampionships.com/page/Scores/0%2C%2C12910%2C00.html |archivedate=August 10, 2013 |df= }}</ref>
===2013: Third shoulder injury===
Sharapova's first scheduled tournament of the [[2013 WTA Tour|2013 season]] was the [[2013 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]], where she was seeded second. However, she withdrew from the tournament before it began, citing a collarbone injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/8798746/maria-sharapova-withdraws-brisbane-international-due-collarbone-pain|title=Maria Sharapova skips Brisbane|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=January 1, 2013|accessdate=March 22, 2013}}</ref> She started her season at the [[2013 Australian Open|Australian Open]] seeded second. She defeated [[Olga Puchkova]] and [[Misaki Doi]] in the first two rounds without losing a game in either match, the first time a player has won in back-to-back [[double bagel]]s at a Grand Slam tournament since the [[1985 Australian Open]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3042968/title/once-in-a-lifetime-for-sharapova|title=Once In A Lifetime For Sharapova|publisher=WTA|date=January 16, 2013|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova then defeated [[Venus Williams]], [[Kirsten Flipkens]], and [[Ekaterina Makarova]], where in losing nine games, she overtook [[Monica Seles]]' record of fewest games dropped heading into a Grand Slam semifinal.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21133423 Maria Sharapova and Li Na reach Australian Open semi-finals], BBC Sport, Retrieved January 22, 2013</ref> She lost to [[Li Na]] in the semifinals.
[[File:Maria Sharapova - Roland-Garros 2013 - 002.jpg|thumb|right|Sharapova at the French Open, May 2013]]
She reached the semifinals at the [[Qatar Total Open]], losing to [[Serena Williams]] for the 10th straight time in her career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/436019/20130216/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-wta-qatar-victoria.htm|title=Qatar Total Open: Williams Blasts Sharapova as New World Number One Rolls into Doha Final|publisher=International Business Times|author=Martin Baccardax|date=February 16, 2013|accessdate=May 22, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218071902/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/436019/20130216/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-wta-qatar-victoria.htm|archivedate=February 18, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Her next tournament was [[BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]], where she was seeded second. She received a bye into the second round and successfully reached the final without dropping a set, where she faced 2011 Indian wells champion and former world No. 1 [[Caroline Wozniacki]]. After an hour and twenty-one minutes, Sharapova won the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/9062961/maria-sharapova-wins-indian-wells-title-caroline-wozniacki|title=Maria Sharapova wins Indian Wells|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Martin Baccardax|date=March 17, 2013|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref> This was Maria's 28th career title and second at Indian Wells. Her win also made her the No. 2 player in the world behind [[Serena Williams]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennis.si.com/2013/03/17/sharapova-wins-indian-wells-bnp-wozniacki/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320110024/http://tennis.si.com/2013/03/17/sharapova-wins-indian-wells-bnp-wozniacki/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 20, 2013 |title=Maria Sharapova dominates Caroline Wozniacki for second Indian Wells title |publisher=SI.com |date=March 17, 2013 |accessdate=March 22, 2013 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ubitennis.com/english/sport/tennis/2013/03/21/862125-sharapova_aims_coast_coast_double.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606213820/http://www.ubitennis.com/english/sport/tennis/2013/03/21/862125-sharapova_aims_coast_coast_double.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2014|title=Sharapova aims for coast-to-coast double|publisher=Ubisporting|date=March 23, 2013|accessdate=March 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/03/17/sharapova-sails-past-wozniacki-in-indian-wells-final/|title=Sharapova sails past Wozniacki in Indian Wells final|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=March 17, 2013|accessdate=March 22, 2013}}</ref>
Maria then competed at the [[2013 Sony Open Tennis|Sony Open]]. Once again she reached the final without dropping a set and faced world No. 1 [[Serena Williams]]. Maria started the match strong, winning the first set. However, Serena won the second and dominated the third set. This was Maria's 11th consecutive loss against Serena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-madrid-final_n_3262472.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608141813/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-madrid-final_n_3262472.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |title=Serena Williams Beats Maria Sharapova To Win Madrid Open 2013, Retain No. 1 Ranking |author=Joseph Wilson |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |date=May 12, 2013 |accessdate=May 22, 2013 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1636598-serena-williams-vs-maria-sharapova-world-no-1-will-dominate-madrid-open-final|title=Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova: World No. 1 Will Dominate Madrid Open Final|publisher=Bleacher Report|author=Patrick Clarke|date=May 11, 2013|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref>
Next, she played at the indoor clay event in Stuttgart, where she was the defending champion. Maria was top seed and had a bye in the first round. Her first three matches were long three-setters: she first beat world No. 25 [[Lucie Šafářová]], dropping the second set on a tiebreak, then [[Ana Ivanovic]], then in the semifinals, she won against third seed [[Angelique Kerber]]. In the final, in what was her ninth victory against the Chinese out of 14 matches, she beat second seed world No. 5 [[Li Na]] in straight sets to win her 29th career title.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova beats Li Na to retain Stuttgart title|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22331232|accessdate=April 28, 2013}}</ref>
A week later, she competed at the [[2013 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]], reaching the final, again without dropping a set. She faced [[Serena Williams]] for the 15th time, losing for the 12th consecutive time in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2013/05/12/Serena-Williams-repeats-as-Madrid-Open-champion/UPI-57451368363562/|title=Serena Williams repeats as Madrid Open champion|publisher= United Press International|date=May 12, 2013|accessdate=June 2, 2013}}</ref>
Next, she played in Rome, where she was seeded second and had a bye in the first round. She beat 16th seed [[Sloane Stephens]] in straight sets (with the loss of three games) in the third round, but then did not play her quarterfinal match against seventh seed [[Sara Errani]] and retired from the tournament due to a viral illness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/17/sport/tennis/djokovic-nadal-tennis-sharapova|title=Djokovic loses at Rome Masters, hurting French Open preparations|publisher=CNN|date=May 18, 2013|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/05/17/serena-azarenka-reach-semis-sharapova-pulls-out-in-rome/|title=Serena, Azarenka reach semis; Sharapova pulls out in Rome|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=May 17, 2013|accessdate=May 22, 2013}}</ref>
At the [[2013 French Open]], Sharapova reached the final again, beating Azarenka in three sets in the semifinals, but there she lost in straight sets to [[Serena Williams]]. At [[2013 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] she was comprehensively beaten in the second round by qualifier [[Michelle Larcher de Brito]]. Sharapova then returned to the tour at the [[2013 Western & Southern Open]], where she lost her opening match to Sloane Stephens in three sets. A week later Sharapova withdrew from the U.S. Open, citing a shoulder injury, which prematurely ended her season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova withdraws from the U.S. Open|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2013/08/21/maria-sharapova-withdraws-us-open/2683231/|work=USA Today|accessdate=August 22, 2013}}</ref>
===2014: Comeback and second French Open title===
{{main|2014 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova had not played since August 2013 due to a recurring shoulder injury and made her comeback at the [[2014 Brisbane International]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova to make tennis comeback at Brisbane International|url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-to-make-tennis-comeback-at-brisbane-international/story-fndkzym4-1226759913966|publisher=News.com.au|accessdate=November 14, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova advanced to the semi-finals where she was beaten in straight sets by [[Serena Williams]]. At the [[2014 Australian Open]] Sharapova, ranked 3rd, was knocked out of the tournament in the 4th round by the 20th seed, and eventual finalist, [[Dominika Cibulková]]. Sharapova lost the match in 3 sets. Sharapova then participated in [[2014 Open GDF Suez – Singles|GDF Suez]] where she was upset in the semifinals to fellow Russian and eventual tournament winner [[Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova]] in three sets.
In March, playing in the [[2014 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells Masters]], she was beaten by 22-year-old Italian [[Camila Giorgi]] in the third round, in three sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tennis.si.com/2014/03/10/maria-sharapova-camila-giorgi-indian-wells/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311045906/http://tennis.si.com/2014/03/10/maria-sharapova-camila-giorgi-indian-wells/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 11, 2014 |title=Maria Sharapova ousted by Camila Giorgi in third round at Indian Wells | Beyond The Baseline |publisher=Tennis.si.com |date= |accessdate=March 11, 2014}}</ref> Therefore, due to the WTA ranking system, this would mean another drop in ranking, bringing her to world No. 7. In April, she won [[Women's Stuttgart Open|Stuttgart Open]], her first title of the year and 30th of her career by defeating [[Ana Ivanovic]] in three sets. Stuttgart is the only tournament Sharapova has won three times. In May, Maria won the [[2014 Mutua Madrid Open|Madrid Open]], her second title of the year and first in [[Madrid]], defeating [[Simona Halep]] in three sets. With nine clay titles, she joins Venus Williams as the third most successful active player on the surface.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Sharapova-wins-Madrid-Open-title/articleshow/34985579.cms|title=Sharapova wins Madrid Open title|work=Times of India|accessdate=May 11, 2014}}</ref> Sharapova then competed in the [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] in Rome, where she made the third round. She lost to [[Ana Ivanovic]] in straight sets.
Sharapova was seeded 7th at 2014 French Open and defeated Ksenia Pervak, Tsvetana Pironkova, and Paula Ormaechea in the first 3 rounds, all in straight sets. In the fourth round she defeated Samantha Stosur, reeling off nine straight games from a set and 3–4 down. This marked her 14th win in 16 meetings with the Australian. In the quarters, she defeated [[Garbiñe Muguruza]], again coming back from a set down, to reach the semifinals at the French for the fourth consecutive year. In the semi-finals, she defeated [[Eugenie Bouchard]], once again coming back from a set down, to reach her third consecutive [[French Open]] final. In the final, she defeated [[Simona Halep]] in three sets to win her second French Open title and fifth overall Major title. This was the first time since 2001 where a third set was contested in the final. The match took just over three hours, and has been described as one of the best women's finals in recent years.
<ref>{{cite news|last1=Meyers|first1=Nalia-Jean|title=Maria Sharapova Wins French Open|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/sports/tennis/maria-sharapova-wins-french-open.html?_r=0|work=The New York Times|accessdate=June 7, 2014}}</ref> The [[2014 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2014 Wimbledon Championships]] would be her next tournament, as Sharapova chose not to play a warm-up event before the third Grand Slam of the season gets underway.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2654515/Maria-Sharapova-hops-London-Underground-seeing-boyfriend-Grigor-Dimitrov-beat-James-Ward-Queens-Club.html#ixzz34HRs4TtE Maria Sharapova hops on the London Underground] Dailymail. June 10, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.</ref> At the [[2014 Wimbledon Championships]], Sharapova reached the fourth round, where she lost to German [[Angelique Kerber]], the ninth seed, in three sets.
Sharapova then played the [[2014 Rogers Cup]] in [[Montreal]] where she was the 4th seed. She received a first round bye and faced [[Garbiñe Muguruza]] in her opener, she won in 3 sets. In the following round she lost in 3 sets to Muguruza's compatriot, [[Carla Suárez Navarro]]. At the [[2014 Western & Southern Open]], Sharapova was seeded 5th and defeated [[Madison Keys]] after having a first round bye. She then went on to defeat Pavlyuchenkova and newly crowned world No. 2 [[Simona Halep]] to reach the last four. She faced Ivanovic again but lost in a roller coaster three-setter despite having two match points. Sharapova then travelled to New York for the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] where she was the 5th seed. She defeated compatriot [[Maria Kirilenko]] and Romanian [[Alexandra Dulgheru]] before overcoming 26th seeded German [[Sabine Lisicki]] in round 3 to set up a clash with [[Caroline Wozniacki]] in the round of 16. Sharapova lost to the Dane in 3 sets.
Sharapova next played the inaugural 2014 Wuhan open where she was seeded 4th. After receiving a first round bye, she defeated compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova in 3 sets and next faced [[Timea Bacsinszky]]. Although Sharapova won their 2 previous encounters, she was stunned by Timea in 2 tight sets, thus ending her campaign at the premier 5 tournament.
The following week, Sharapova played the China Open in Beijing, a Premier Mandatory-level tournament. Reaching the final without dropping a set, Sharapova defeated world No. 9 Ana Ivanovic in the semis. In the final, Sharapova met reigning Wimbledon champion and world No. 3 Petra Kvitová. Sharapova won the match in 2 hours 30 minutes, defeating the Czech in three sets. By virtue of the win, Sharapova's ranking rose from No. 4 to No. 2 in the world and she secured herself the second seeding for the WTA year-end Championship. Also, Sharapova closed in on the year-end number-one ranking spot, being just 467 points behind Williams.
Maria was ranked No. 2 heading into the WTA Tour Championships, with a chance of overtaking [[Serena Williams]] as world No. 1. She was drawn in the white group, with [[Petra Kvitová]], [[Agnieszka Radwańska]] and [[Caroline Wozniacki]]. Her first match was a three set loss to Wozniacki. Maria also lost her 2nd round robin match to Kvitová in straight sets; her first loss to Petra since 2011. Maria still had a chance of making the Semis, but she needed to beat Radwańska in two sets, and Wozniacki needed to beat Petra in straight sets as well. She ended her year with a win against Radwańska in three sets, finishing 3rd overall in the White group. She ended the year as world No. 2, behind [[Serena Williams]].
===2015: Fourth Australian Open final===
{{main|2015 Maria Sharapova tennis season}}
Sharapova kicked off her 2015 season at the Brisbane International where she was top seed and received a bye in the first round. Sharapova defeated Yaroslava Shvedova and Carla Suárez Navarro. In the semi finals, Sharapova faced Elina Svitolina, beating her in straight sets. Reaching the final without dropping a set, Sharapova played an intense match against second seed Ana Ivanovic but came through in three sets. This was Sharapova's 10th win over Ivanovic and by winning her 34th title, it meant that Sharapova has won at least one title every year for 13 consecutive years. Also, it was just her second title in Australia so far, and for both she beat Ivanovic. Sharapova's next tournament was the 2015 Australian Open, where she beat [[Petra Martić]] and fellow countrywoman [[Alexandra Panova]] (despite having two match points against her) in the first two rounds, before beating [[Zarina Diyas]] and [[Peng Shuai]] in straight sets. There, she beat seventh-seeded [[Eugenie Bouchard]] and fellow Russian [[Ekaterina Makarova]] in straight sets to make her fourth Australian Open final, where she lost to [[Serena Williams]] in straight sets, worsening her record against her to 2–17. In February, following her participation in the [[2015 Fed Cup|Fed Cup]], Sharapova played in [[2015 Abierto Mexicano Telcel|Acapulco]], where she beat [[Shelby Rogers]], [[Mariana Duque Mariño]] and [[Magdaléna Rybáriková]] to advance the semifinals. Sharapova later withdrew from her match against [[Caroline Garcia]], citing a stomach virus. Next, in [[2015 BNP Paribas Open|Indian Wells]], she beat [[Yanina Wickmayer]] and [[Victoria Azarenka]] in straight sets, before losing to defending champion [[Flavia Pennetta]] in the fourth round in three sets. After receiving a bye in the first round of the [[2015 Miami Open|Miami Open]], Sharapova lost in the second round to fellow Russian [[Daria Gavrilova]] in straight sets, marking her earliest exit from the tournament since her first appearance in Miami in 2003.
Sharapova began her clay season in [[2015 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Stuttgart]] where she was the three-time defending champion. After receiving a first-round bye, she lost in the second round to [[Angelique Kerber]] in three sets, snapping Sharapova's win streak at the tournament and marking her first-ever loss at the tournament, having won it three times in a row ([[2012 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|2012]], [[2013 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|2013]], & [[2014 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|2014]]). The loss also snapped a 64 match win streak on clay where Sharapova won the first set and went on to win the match. The last time Sharapova lost a match on clay after winning the first set was against [[Dinara Safina]] in the fourth round at the [[2008 French Open]]. As a result of the loss Sharapova lost the No. 2 ranking to [[Simona Halep]]. Sharapova's next clay court tournament was the Madrid Open where she was the defending champion. She advanced to the semifinals. There, she was beaten by Svetlana Kuznetsova for the first time since 2008. Sharapova's next tournament was the Italian Open in Rome where she was seeded 3rd. She beat [[Victoria Azarenka]] in the quarterfinals in straight sets to set up a re-match with [[Daria Gavrilova]]. She beat Gavrilova in straight sets to advance to the final, where she faced [[Carla Suárez Navarro]]. After losing the first set, Sharapova managed to claim the next two sets and her third [[Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Rome]] title. By winning Rome, Sharapova reclaimed the No. 2 ranking over Halep, until August 24, when Halep went again to world No. 2, due to Sharapova's not playing any match after [[2015 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon]] (where she reached the semifinals but lost to Serena), including US Open, due to injuries.
She then received a wildcard into [[2015 Wuhan Open|Wuhan Open]]<ref>{{cite web|title = Maria Sharapova To Come Back In Wuhan|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5016773/title/maria-sharapova-to-come-back-in-wuhan|website = Women's Tennis Association|accessdate = January 5, 2016}}</ref> and received a bye into the 2nd round. However, she retired in her match against [[Barbora Strýcová]] in the 3rd set, citing a left forearm injury.<ref>{{cite web|title = Injury Cuts Short Sharapova Comeback|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5033380/title/injury-cuts-short-sharapova-comeback|website = Women's Tennis Association|accessdate = January 5, 2016}}</ref> She then withdrew from the [[2015 China Open (tennis)|China Open]],<ref>{{cite web|title = Maria Sharapova Withdraws From Beijing|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5038315/title/maria-sharapova-withdraws-from-beijing|website = Women's Tennis Association|accessdate = January 5, 2016}}</ref> where she was the defending champion, to recover in time for the [[2015 WTA Finals|WTA Finals]] and the [[2015 Fed Cup World Group|Fed Cup final]]. At the [[2015 WTA Finals|WTA Finals]], she was drawn into the red group, alongside [[Simona Halep]], [[Agnieszka Radwańska]] and [[Flavia Pennetta]]. She then won all three of her round-robin matches, and achieved 1st position in her group. Her win over Pennetta also marked the last match of the Italian's career. Sharapova then played the player who finished 2nd in the White Group, [[Petra Kvitová]]. She lost the match in straight sets, despite having a 5–1 lead in the second set.
Sharapova then played in the [[2015 Fed Cup World Group|Fed Cup final]], winning both of her matches, against [[Karolína Plíšková]] and got revenge against [[Petra Kvitová]] for her loss in the WTA Finals. However, [[Russia Fed Cup team|Russia]] eventually lost 2–3 after falling in a crucial doubles rubber. The Russian ended the season as being the world No. 4, despite not playing the US Open Series and missing most of the Fall Asian Hardcourt season. She had a win-loss record of 39–9 and won 2 titles, reaching the second week in all of the Grand Slams she played.
===2016: More injuries and doping suspension===
Sharapova began her 2016 season at the [[2016 Brisbane International|Brisbane International]] where she was the defending champion. She would have faced [[Ekaterina Makarova]] in the 1st round, but withdrew hours before the match, citing a left forearm injury, and was replaced by [[Margarita Gasparyan]].<ref>{{cite web|title = Halep & Sharapova Out Of Brisbane|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5250538/title/halep-sharapova-out-of-brisbane|website = Women's Tennis Association|accessdate = January 5, 2016}}</ref>
Due to Agnieszka Radwańska winning the Shenzhen Open, Sharapova was seeded fifth at the [[2016 Australian Open|Australian Open]]. She was drawn to face [[Nao Hibino]] in the first round and won in straight sets. She then won her second round match against [[Aliaksandra Sasnovich]], also in straight sets. Sharapova then lost her first set in the tournament as she defeated [[Lauren Davis]] in three sets. In the fourth round, she then played her first career match against [[Belinda Bencic]] and won in two tight sets over two hours of play. Sharapova then faced [[Serena Williams]] in the quarterfinal, a repeat of the previous year's final. Although she started the match brightly, she was defeated in straight sets. She failed to defend her finalist points from the previous year, and fell to sixth in the rankings after the tournament.
After the Australian Open, Sharapova was nominated by team captain [[Anastasia Myskina]] to play the [[2016 Fed Cup World Group|Fed Cup]], but she had a forearm injury and was only listed for the doubles match.<ref>{{cite web|title = Sharapova to Sit out Fed Cup Singles – Tennis Now|url = http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2016/February/Sharapova-to-Sit-out-Fed-Cup-Singles.aspx|website = www.tennisnow.com|access-date = February 6, 2016}}</ref> Russia lost the first three matches and chose [[Ekaterina Makarova|Makarova]] to replace Sharapova for the dead doubles match. In the end, Russia lost 3–1 but by being nominated for the match, Sharapova successfully qualified for the [[Tennis at the 2016 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]] having played sufficient Fed Cup matches to meet the criteria.
Citing the left forearm injury sustained at the start of the year, Sharapova withdrew from the [[2016 Qatar Total Open|Qatar Open]],<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5337381/title/sharapova-out-of-doha|title = Sharapova Out Of Doha|website = Women's Tennis Association|accessdate = February 27, 2016}}</ref> and a week before the [[2016 BNP Paribas Open|BNP Paribas Open]], she withdrew from that for the same reason.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5391658/title/sharapova-out-of-indian-wells|title=Sharapova Out Of Indian Wells|website=Women's Tennis Association|access-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref>
Following a failed drug test from the [[2016 Australian Open]], in which she tested positive for [[meldonium]], a substance that had been banned, effective January 1, 2016 by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Sharapova was provisionally suspended from competitive tennis with effect from March 12.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/news/225826.aspx|title=Press release: Tennis Anti-Doping Programme statement regarding Maria Sharapova|website=www.itftennis.com|access-date=March 17, 2016}}</ref> On June 8 she was banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36482288|title=Maria Sharapova: Russian banned for two years for failed drugs test|publisher=BBC Sport|date=June 8, 2016|accessdate=June 8, 2016}}</ref> Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko has implied that Sharapova was targeted due to the political crisis in Russian-American relations.<ref>Barabash, Taras. [http://rsport.ru/tennis/20160616/947053301.html Допинг-пробу у Шараповой брали намеренно, ее адвокат должен это понимать – Мутко]. ''R-Sport.'' 2016-06-16. ([http://rbth.com/sport/2016/06/17/russian-sports-minister-sharapovas-lawyers-followed-the-hollywood-script_603791 partial English translation])</ref> In October 2016, Sharapova's ban was reduced from 24 months (2 years) to 15 months, starting from January 26, 2016, the date of the drug test she had failed.
===2017: Return from suspension, first WTA title in two years===
Sharapova returned to the WTA tour in April 2017. She was given wild cards to compete in the following three WTA tournaments: [[Women's Stuttgart Open]], [[Madrid Open (tennis)|Madrid Open]] and [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]]. She played her first match of her comeback on April 26 at the [[2017 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]], a tournament that she had previously won on three occasions. Her first round opponent was Italian [[Roberta Vinci]], who she went on to defeat in straight sets to advance to the second round, making it her first victory since her return.<ref name="return">{{cite web|title=Sharapova soars past Vinci in Stuttgart opener.|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/maria-sharapova-soars-past-roberta-vinci-stuttgart-opener-porsche-tennis-grand-prix|publisher=WTA|accessdate=26 April 2017|date=26 April 2017}}</ref> In her on-court interview Sharapova said, "The first few seconds before you enter the arena – it's been a stage of mine since I was a young girl – I've been waiting for this moment for a long time."<ref name="return"/> She followed it up with another straight sets victory over countrywoman [[Ekaterina Makarova]] in the second round. In the quarterfinals, she defeated qualifier [[Anett Kontaveit]] in straight sets, before losing to [[Kristina Mladenovic]] in the semifinals.
Sharapova then took part in the [[2017 Mutua Madrid Open]] where she beat [[Mirjana Lučić-Baroni]] in three sets. Sharapova played a second round encounter with [[Eugenie Bouchard]] which after three sets Sharapova lost.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/05/08/maria-sharapova-vs-eugenie-bouchard-live/|title=Eugenie Bouchard stuns Maria Sharapova and claims 'a lot of players had privately wished me good luck'|last=Eccleshare|first=Charlie|date=2017-05-08|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2019-02-21|last2=Sport|first2=Telegraph|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In the [[2017 Internazionali BNL d'Italia]] opening match she defeated [[Christina McHale]] in straight sets. In her next match, she again faced the 16th seed [[Mirjana Lučić-Baroni]] in a rematch of their encounter in Madrid. At one set apiece, Sharapova needed a medical timeout for her thigh, which ultimately forced her to retire in the third set.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} Just before the players came on court, French Federation president Bernard Giudicelli announced that Sharapova would not be receiving a wildcard in the main draw or the qualifying draw, preventing her from playing in the [[2017 French Open – Women's Singles|2017 French Open]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Maria Sharapova: French Open decides against giving former champion a wildcard|url=http://m.bbc.com/sport/tennis/39932614|work=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2017|accessdate=22 August 2017}}</ref>
Sharapova then received a wildcard to play [[2017 Aegon Classic Birmingham|Birmingham Classic]]. However, the same thigh injury at the [[2017 Internazionali BNL d'Italia|Italian Open]] forced her to withdraw from the entire grass season, including the Wimbledon qualifying rounds. Sharapova was given another wildcard at the [[2017 Bank of the West Classic|Stanford Classic]], her first hard court tournament since the [[2016 Australian Open]]. Her first round opponent was [[Jennifer Brady (tennis)|Jennifer Brady]], whom she defeated in three sets. The win also pushed Sharapova back inside the top 150. Sharapova withdrew from the next round with a left arm injury. She was set to make a return at the [[2017 Rogers Cup|Canadian Open]], where she had received a wildcard, but ultimately withdraw due to a left arm injury. She was set to play the [[2017 Western & Southern Open|Cincinnati Open]] as a wildcard but pulled out to be fully fit for the [[2017 US Open (tennis)|US Open]], which had also granted Sharapova a wildcard entry. She opened the US Open against world No. 2 [[Simona Halep]], and won in three sets, her first US Open win since the [[2014 US Open (tennis)|2014 US Open]]. In second round she defeated [[Tímea Babos]], coming from a set down to win in three. In the third round, she played the American wildcard [[Sofia Kenin]], an 18-year-old who was making her first main draw appearance in a major. Sharapova defeated the teenager in tight straight sets to advance to the second week of the [[2017 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. She was defeated by 16th seed [[Anastasija Sevastova]] from Latvia in the fourth round.
Sharapova received and accepted wildcards to enter the [[2017 China Open – Women's Singles|China Open]] and [[2017 Tianjin Open – Singles|Tianjin Open]], both held in China. In her opening match at the China Open, Sharapova once again faced Sevastova, this time prevailing in a three-hour, three-set match. In the second round, Sharapova defeated Ekaterina Makarova, seeing her move back into the top 100 for the first time since before her suspension. In the third round, Sharapova lost to Simona Halep in straight sets, marking her first loss to the Romanian after seven consecutive victories. Sharapova then remained in China for the Tianjin Open, which was her first appearance at the tournament. Sharapova went on to win the tournament, marking her first WTA title since 2015, without dropping a set, including coming back from 1–4 down in the first set and 1–5 down in the second set against 19-year-old [[Aryna Sabalenka]] in the final. The result saw her eventually climb the rankings into the top 60, and she later received another wildcard to enter the [[2017 Kremlin Cup – Women's Singles|2017 Kremlin Cup]]. Sharapova recorded her first opening round loss since 2013, with a straight-sets loss to eighth seed [[Magdaléna Rybáriková]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/310137/title/Maria-Sharapova |title=Sharapova stats}}</ref>
=== 2018: Return to top 25 and French Open quarterfinal ===
Sharapova began her 2018 season at the [[2018 WTA Shenzhen Open|Shenzhen Open]]. She defeated [[Mihaela Buzarnescu]], [[Alison Riske]] and [[Zarina Diyas]] to advance to the semifinals, where she fell to defending champion [[Katerina Siniakova]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Siniakova supreme over Sharapova to make second straight Shenzhen final|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/siniakova-supreme-over-sharapova-make-second-straight-shenzhen-final|date=5 January 2018|accessdate=10 January 2018}}</ref> Sharapova then returned to the [[2018 Australian Open|Australian Open]] for the first time since her suspension, defeating [[Tatjana Maria]] and [[Anastasija Sevastova]] in the opening two rounds, before losing to [[Angelique Kerber]] in straight sets in the third round.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerber quells Sharapova in battle of former Aussie champs|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-quells-sharapova-battle-former-aussie-champs|date=20 January 2018|accessdate=20 January 2018}}</ref> Sharapova received a wildcard to enter the [[Qatar Ladies Open|Qatar Open]], losing in three sets to [[Monica Niculescu]] in the opening round. Sharapova pulled out of the [[Dubai Tennis Championships]] due to citing a forearm strain.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/02/sharapova-commits-52-unforced-errors-loss-niculescu-doha/72055/|title=Sharapova commits 52 unforced errors in loss to Niculescu in Doha|work=Tennis.com|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> Sharapova played the [[Indian Wells Masters|Indian Wells Open]] falling in the opening round to [[Naomi Osaka]] in straight sets. Sharapova was set to play the [[Miami Open (tennis)|Miami Open]] but withdrew due to a forearm injury.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/osaka-overcomes-frustrated-sharapova-indian-wells|title=Osaka overcomes 'frustrated' Sharapova in Indian Wells|last=Juzwiak|first=Jason|date=2018-03-08|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref>
Sharapova started her clay court season at the [[2018 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix|Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]]. Sharapova faced sixth seed [[Caroline Garcia]] in the opening round but lost in three tight sets. This was her fourth consecutive loss, marking her fall out of the top 50. Sharapova ended her losing streak with a straight sets win over [[Mihaela Buzărnescu]] at the [[Madrid Open]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/sharapova-snaps-losing-streak-madrid-blasts-past-buzarnescu|title=Sharapova snaps losing streak in Madrid, blasts past Buzarnescu|last=Kane|first=David|date=2018-05-06|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref> Sharapova defeated [[Irina-Camelia Begu]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2018/05/08/912092-wta-madrid-sharapova-overcomes-huge-scare-storms-past-begu-in-straight-sets.html|title=WTA Madrid: Sharapova overcomes huge scare, storms past Begu in straight sets|last=Han|first=Don|date=2018-05-08|work=VAVEL.com|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en-us}}</ref> and [[Kristina Mladenovic]] in straight sets to advance to quarterfinals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/sharapova-powers-mladenovic-revenge-madrid|title=Sharapova powers to Mladenovic revenge in Madrid|last=Livaudais|first=Stephanie|date=2018-05-09|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref> Sharapova fell to [[Kiki Bertens]] in three sets, despite the loss, she climbed back inside the top 40. Sharapova began her [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] campaign with a three set win over 16th seed [[Ashleigh Barty]]. In the second round, Sharapova defeated [[Dominika Cibulková]] in three sets,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/news/bertens-seals-sharapova-madrid-comeback-win|title=Bertens seals Sharapova in Madrid comeback win|last=Kane|first=David|date=2018-05-10|work=WTA Tennis|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref> following it up with a straight sets victory over [[Daria Gavrilova]] in the third round. From a set down, she went on to defeat world No. 5 [[Jelena Ostapenko]] in the quarterfinals. Despite taking the opening set in the semifinals, Sharapova's run in Rome ended with a three set loss to world No. 1 [[Simona Halep]]. Despite the loss, her performance improved her ranking inside the top 30 and being seeded for the first time since her suspension at the [[2016 Australian Open]]. Sharapova began her [[2018 French Open]] campaign with a three set win over [[Richèl Hogenkamp]] and continued with a straight sets win over Croatia's [[Donna Vekic]] in the second round. In the third round, she defeated world No. 6 [[Karolína Plíšková]] in straight sets to advance to the second week of the [[French Open]]. In the fourth round, Sharapova was set to play [[Serena Williams]], but Williams withdrew due to injury, giving Sharapova a walkover into her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since the [[2016 Australian Open]]. Sharapova's run ended with a straight sets loss to world No. 3 [[Garbiñe Muguruza]] in the quarterfinals.
Sharapova was set to play the [[Birmingham Classic (tennis)|Birmingham Classic]] but withdrew to fully recover ahead of [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]. Sharapova played two exhibition matches, losing her debut to Greece's [[Maria Sakkari]] but defeating [[Natalia Vikhlyantseva]]. Sharapova exited [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] with a three set lost to [[Vitalia Diatchenko]] despite being up a set and serving for the match. This marked her worst Grand Slam result since the [[2010 Australian Open]] and her first ever opening round loss at [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]. Sharapova was set to play at the [[Silicon Valley Classic]] but withdrew due to a change in her schedule. Sharapova played at the [[Rogers Cup]] and recorded straight sets wins over [[Sesil Karatantcheva]] and [[Daria Kasatkina]]. Sharapova fell in the third round with a straight sets loss to World No.6 [[Caroline Garcia]]. Sharapova was set to play at the [[Western & Southern Open]] but withdrew before the tournament started. Sharapova began her [[2018 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] campaign in the opening round, with a straight set win over [[Patty Schnyder]]. Sharapova continued her run with straight set wins over [[Sorana Cîrstea]] and [[Jelena Ostapenko]]. In the fourth round, Sharapova's run ended with a straight sets loss to [[Carla Suárez Navarro]]. This marked the first time Sharapova had lost in the night session at [[Arthur Ashe Stadium]], previously having a 22–0 record. Sharapova ended her season with withdraws at the [[China Open (tennis)|China Open]], [[Tianjin Open]] and [[Kremlin Cup]] with a right shoulder injury. Sharapova ended the season inside the top 30, ranked 29.
===2019: 800th match and more injuries===
Sharapova began her 2019 season at the [[2019 WTA Shenzhen Open|Shenzhen Open]]. In the opening round, she defeated [[Timea Bacsinszky]] in straight sets which was also her 800th career singles match. In the second round, Sharapova defeated [[Wang Xinyu]] after Wang retired in the second set. In the quarterfinals, Sharapova lost to [[Aryna Sabalenka]] after she retired in the second set. Sharapova started her [[2019 Australian Open|Australian Open]] campaign without the loss of a game in a win over [[Harriet Dart]]. Sharapova followed up with a straight set win over [[Rebecca Peterson]] and a three set victory over defending champion [[Caroline Wozniacki]]. Sharapova's run ended with a three set loss to [[Ashleigh Barty]] in the fourth round. Sharapova recorded her first win in Russia in thirteen years with a straight sets win over [[Daria Gavrilova]] at the [[2019 St. Petersburg Ladies' Trophy]]. Sharapova withdrew from her second round match against [[Daria Kasatkina]]. Sharapova was set to play at the [[Indian Wells Masters|Indian Wells Open]] and [[Miami Open (tennis)|Miami Open]] but withdrew before the tournaments started due to a shoulder injury for which she stated she was to have minor surgery. Sharapova later withdrew from the [[Porsche Tennis Grand Prix]], [[Madrid Open]], [[Italian Open (tennis)|Italian Open]] and [[French Open]] due to not being able to compete at her highest level because of her lingering shoulder injury.
Sharapova made a return after being away for over four months, in the grasscourt season at the [[Mallorca Open]] where she received a wild card. In the opening round, Sharapova defeated [[Viktória Kužmová]] in straight sets and recorded her first grasscourt win since 2015. Sharapova's run ended in the second round with a straight sets lost to [[Angelique Kerber]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Kerber seals rival Sharapova in Mallorca | url=https://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-seals-rival-sharapova-mallorca | work=WTA Tennis | date = 20 June 2019 | accessdate = 26 June 2019}}</ref> In the opening round at [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]], Sharapova retired in the third set against [[Pauline Parmentier]], despite being up a set and a break during the second set. Sharapova lost in the opening round of the [[Rogers Cup]] to [[Anett Kontaveit]] in three sets. Sharapova ended her three match losing streak with a straight sets win over [[Alison Riske]] in the opening round of the [[Western & Southern Open]]. In the second round, Sharapova was defeated by [[Ashleigh Barty]] in straight sets. Sharapova fell in the opening round of the [[2019 US Open (tennis)|US Open]] to eventual finalist [[Serena Williams]] in straight sets, it was also her final match of the year. She ended the year ranked no. 131, her lowest year-end ranking since 2002.
=== 2020: Retirement ===
Sharapova began her 2020 season at an exhibition tournament in [[Abu Dhabi]], where she defeated [[Ajla Tomljanović]] in straight sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bestsport.news/sharapova-won-tomljanovic-exhibition-tournament-in-abu-dhabi/|title=Sharapova won Tomljanovic exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi|last=News|first=Best Sport|date=2019-12-20|website=Best Sport News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> Although she was scheduled to play exhibition at the [[Hawaii Open]] a week later, she pulled out of the tournament because she was unprepared.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/maria-sharapova-announces-sad-news-ahead-of-australian-open-2020/|title=Maria Sharapova Announces Sad News Ahead Of Australian Open 2020|last=Sharma|first=Aryan|date=2019-12-27|website=Essentially Sports|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-28}}</ref> Sharapova received a wildcard at the [[Brisbane International]] and fell in the opening round to [[Jennifer Brady (tennis)|Jennifer Brady]] in three sets. Sharapova participated at the [[Kooyong Classic]], where her opening match against [[Laura Siegemund]] was stopped after the completion the second set due to heavy smoke, before being defeated by Tomljanović in the second round. As a wildcard at the [[2020 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2020 Australian Open]], Sharapova was defeated in straight sets by [[Donna Vekić]] in the first round. This marked her third consecutive first-round loss at a Grand Slam tournament and, following the tournament, her ranking fell to no. 369, her lowest ranking since August 2002.
That defeat to Vekic in Melbourne would prove to be Sharapova's final match of her career, as on 26th February 2020, Sharapova announced her retirement from tennis. In an essay to [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]], Sharapova wrote: "I'm new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis – I'm saying goodbye. But as I embark on my next chapter, I want anyone who dreams of excelling in anything to know that doubt and judgement are inevitable. You will fail hundreds of times and the world will watch you. Accept it. Trust yourself. I promise you that you will prevail."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/02/maria-sharapova-steps-away-from-the-game|title=Exclusive: “Tennis—I’m Saying Goodbye.” After 28 Years and Five Grand Slams, Maria Sharapova Steps Away From The Game|website=Vanity Fair|date=26 February 2020}}</ref>
==WADA substance controversy==
{{wikinews|International Tennis Federation bans Sharapova for two years after positive drug test}}
On March 7, 2016, Sharapova revealed that she had failed a [[drug test]] at the [[2016 Australian Open]], which she described as the result of an oversight.<ref name=BBCMar16>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/35750285|title=Maria Sharapova failed drugs test at Australian Open|date=March 7, 2016|work=BBC News Online|accessdate=March 7, 2016}}</ref> Sharapova admitted to testing positive for [[meldonium]], an [[ischemia|anti-ischemic]] drug usually prescribed for heart conditions that was added to the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA)'s banned substances list on January 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://swimswam.com/blood-flow-drug-meldonium-added-to-wadas-banned-substances-list/ | title=Blood-Flow Drug Meldonium Added to WADA's Banned Substances List | accessdate=March 7, 2016}}</ref> Sharapova was provisionally suspended by the [[International Tennis Federation]] (ITF) from playing tennis effective from March 12, 2016. She later released a statement regarding the test and explaining her use of the medicine:
<blockquote>I received a letter from the ITF that I failed a drugs test at the Australian Open. I take full responsibility for it. For the past ten years I have been given a medicine called mildronate by my family doctor and a few days ago after I received the ITF letter I found out that it also has another name of meldonium which I did not know. It is very important for you to understand that for ten years this medicine was not on WADA's banned list and I had legally been taking the medicine for the past ten years. But on January 1st [2016] the rules had changed and meldonium became a prohibited substance which I had not known. I was given this medicine by my doctor for several health issues that I was having in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-fails-drug-test-her-statement-in-full-after-testing-positive-for-meldonium-a6917911.html|title=Maria Sharapova fails drug test: Her statement in full after admitting testing positive for meldonium|publisher=Independent.co.uk|date=7 March 2016}}</ref></blockquote>
Meldonium is not approved for use in the [[United States]], Sharapova's country of residence;<ref name="RFER Kalvins">{{cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/sharapova-drug-meldonium-mildronate-not-doping-latvian-inventor/27603162.html|title='Sharapova Drug' Is Not Doping, Says Its Latvian Inventor|publisher=rferl.org|accessdate=March 14, 2016}}</ref> however, it is legal to use in [[Russia]], the country that Sharapova represents in tennis.<ref name="wjla">{{cite web | url=http://wjla.com/news/nation-world/sharapova-calls-news-conference-to-make-major-announcement | title=I made a huge mistake | accessdate=March 24, 2016}}</ref> The drug's inventor [[Ivars Kalviņš]] said that he did not think taking it should be construed as "doping",<ref name="RFER Kalvins"/> but he also said that it "is very popular among athletes" and was used by the Soviet military for "optimizing the use of oxygen" and that it "allows athletes to train under maximum strain".<ref name="RFER Kalvins"/> [[Don Catlin]], a long-time anti-doping expert and the scientific director of the Banned Substances Control Group (BSCG) stated that "There's really no evidence that there's any performance enhancement from meldonium – Zero percent."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-18/holmes-when-wada-goes-rogue/7334952|title=When WADA goes rogue: how the anti-doping agency got it wrong|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=18 Apr 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/04/05/meldonium-experts-wada-performance-enhancing-drug/82663156/|title=Experts say there's little evidence meldonium enhances performance|author=Rachel Axon|publisher=USA Today|accessdate=April 5, 2016}}</ref>
Sharapova said that she had been taking the drug to treat magnesium deficiency, an irregular EKG and family history of diabetes,<ref name="Reuters sponsors">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/tennis-sharapova-idUSKCN0WA1XU|title=Sponsors back away from Sharapova after failed drug test|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=March 8, 2016}}</ref> and indicated that she had not read an email informing her that meldonium had been banned for use in tennis. Meldonium's addition was outlined on a WADA and [[United States Anti-Doping Agency]] summary document<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/maria-sharapova-drug-bombshell-what-happens-to-tennis-superstar-after-positive-meldonium-test/news-story/dfc1c781281cbc64367832955766c8bc |title=Maria Sharapova drug bombshell: What happens to tennis superstar after positive Meldonium test? |publisher=Foxsports (Australia) |date=March 9, 2016 |accessdate=March 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usada.org/substances/prohibited-list/major-changes-2016-prohibited-list/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319233235/http://www.usada.org/substances/prohibited-list/major-changes-2016-prohibited-list/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 19, 2016 |title=Major Changes – 2016 WADA Prohibited List |publisher=USADA |accessdate=March 15, 2016}}</ref> and it has been reported that all tennis players were warned five times that it was due to be banned.<ref name="stuff warnings">{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/77730102/former-wada-president-dick-pound-rips-maria-sharapova-how-stupid-can-you-be |title=Maria Sharapova has 'no excuses' for missing five warnings about meldonium ban |work=stuff.co.nz |date=March 12, 2016 |accessdate=March 11, 2016}}</ref> On March 11, 2016, Sharapova denied reports about the five missed warnings via [[Facebook]]:
<blockquote>That's a distortion of the actual "communications" which were provided or simply posted onto a webpage. I make no excuses for not knowing about the ban. The other "communications"? They were buried in newsletters, websites, or handouts (many of them technical, in small print). I didn't take the medicine every day. I took it the way my doctor recommended I take it and I took it in the low doses recommended. I'm proud of how I have played the game. I have been honest and upfront. I won't pretend to be injured so I can hide the truth about my testing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-denies-missing-warnings-about-meldonium-20160312-gnh8yh.html|title=Maria Sharapova denies missing warnings about meldonium|publisher=Sydney Morning Herald|date=March 12, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/12/maria-sharapova-denies-warned-five-times-meldonium|title=Maria Sharapova denies reports she was warned five times over meldonium|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=March 11, 2016}}</ref></blockquote>
Most fellow tennis players reacted to Sharapova's announcement with little support or sympathy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2016/04/05/tennis-world-continues-hate-maria-sharapova/|title=Tennis world shuns Maria Sharapova|work=The New Daily Australia|date=April 5, 2016|accessdate=April 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11614009|title=Tennis: Why no one likes Maria Sharapova|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=March 30, 2016|accessdate=March 30, 2016}}</ref> [[John McEnroe]] and [[Pat Cash]] said they found it hard to believe her.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/tennis/mcenroe-doesnt-believe-sharapova-790798|title=McEnroe doesn't believe Sharapova |work=The Daily Star Bangladesh|date=March 14, 2016|accessdate=March 26, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Pat Cash: I find it hard to believe Sharapova|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03lyp7y|publisher=BBC|date=March 9, 2016}}</ref> [[Jennifer Capriati]] posted on [[Twitter]] that she should be stripped of her 35 professional titles.<ref name="ABC strip">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-08/maria-sharapova-jennifer-capriati-twitter-drug-test/7229972 |title=Maria Sharapova: Jennifer Capriati launches Twitter attack on Russian tennis player after drug test announcement |work=ABC News (Australia) |date=March 8, 2016 |accessdate=March 9, 2016}}</ref> [[Chris Evert]] expressed her surprise at the lack of support in tennis for Sharapova, noting that she "[had] always isolated herself from the rest of the tennis world, from the players".<ref>{{cite news|quote=Whether it's shock or whether they don't want to become involved or have an opinion about it. It's sort of surprising that not a lot of players have shown their support for her.|title=Muted response from rivals is because Maria Sharapova has no friends on tour: Evert|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/muted-response-from-rivals-is-because-maria-sharapova-has-no-friends-on-tour-evert/news-story/25942ce807c2b28b0038b11f981bba5d|work=Foxsports|date=March 10, 2016|accessdate=March 27, 2016}}</ref> [[Serena Williams]] expressed surprise at Sharapova's announcement but commended her for being "upfront with what she had done".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/09/sports/tennis/serena-williams-says-sharapovas-announcement-surprised-her.html|title=Serena Williams Says Sharapova's Announcement Surprised Her|work=The New York Times|date=March 8, 2016|accessdate=March 26, 2016}}</ref> [[Roger Federer]], [[Rafael Nadal]] and [[Andy Murray]] all publicly condemned Sharapova and argued that she deserved to be punished on the basis that she failed the doping test,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11603707|title=Nadal: Sharapova should be punished|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=March 11, 2016|accessdate=March 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name="National Murray">{{cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/tennis/andy-murray-joins-rafael-nadal-in-calls-for-maria-sharapova-to-face-punishment|title=Andy Murray joins Rafael Nadal in calls for Maria Sharapova to face punishment|work=The National|date=March 11, 2016|accessdate=March 13, 2016}}</ref> with Murray adding that "Taking a drug you don't necessarily need because it's legal is wrong"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsjs.com/url.php?p=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/tennis/taking-a-drug-you-dont-necessarily-need-because-its-legal-is-wrong-andy-murray-on-sharapova-ban-34530253.html|title='Taking a drug you don't necessarily need because it's legal is wrong' – Andy Murray on Sharapova ban|work=Irish Independent|date=March 10, 2016|accessdate=March 26, 2016}}</ref> and Federer stating that "Whether it's intentional or not, I don't see too much difference. You must be 100 percent about what you are taking".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/06/federer-calls-zero-tolerance-following-news-sharapovas-two-year-ban/58937/#.V2c_BJMrJ0c|title=Federer calls for 'zero tolerance' following news of Sharapova's two-year ban|work=Tennis.com|date=June 9, 2016|accessdate=June 19, 2016}}</ref> Sharapova's case prompted Federer to urge the tennis federation to conduct more anti-doping tests.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Sports/2016-03-27/Shocked-Federer-breaks-silence-on-Sharapova-doping-scandal/216707|title=Shocked Federer breaks silence on Sharapova doping scandal|work=The Hans India|date=March 27, 2016|accessdate=April 6, 2016}}</ref> [[Novak Djokovic]] said that he felt sorry for her, but that she must still be ready for punishment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-tennis-no-tears-are-shed-for-maria-sharapova-1457739940|title=In Tennis, No Tears Are Shed for Maria Sharapova|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=March 11, 2016|accessdate=March 29, 2016}}</ref> The [[Russian Tennis Federation]] strongly defended Sharapova, describing the positive drug test as "nonsense" and adding that they expected Sharapova to be available for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Maria Sharapova provisionally banned from tennis after revealing failed drugs test|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/07/maria-sharapova-failed-drugs-test-australian-open-2016-tennis|publisher=The Guardian|date=March 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Maria Sharapova to play Fed Cup, ensure Olympic place; no Tokyo 2020?|url = http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/02/05/maria-sharapova-fed-cup-doubles-olympics-russia-tennis/|website = OlympicTalk|access-date = February 7, 2016|first = Nick|last = Zaccardi}}</ref>
As a result of the failed drug test, [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] and [[TAG Heuer]] suspended their relationships with Sharapova, while [[Porsche]] postponed promotional work.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maria Sharapova: Nike suspends contract with Russian over drugs test|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35751916|accessdate=March 8, 2016|work=BBC|date=March 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name=gaur>{{cite news|last1=Gibson|first1=Owen|last2=Cambers|first2=Simon|title=Maria Sharapova under pressure over meldonium use as sponsors flee|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/08/maria-sharapova-meldonium-drug-test-sponsors|accessdate=March 8, 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 8, 2016}}</ref> Racquet manufacturer [[Head (company)|HEAD]] stood by Sharapova, saying, "We look forward to working with her", and announced that they intended to extend their contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Head stand by Maria Sharapova after failed drug test: 'We look forward to working with her'|url=http://www.thenational.ae/sport/tennis/head-stand-by-maria-sharapova-after-failed-drug-test-we-look-forward-to-working-with-her|work=The National|date=March 10, 2016|accessdate=March 12, 2016}}</ref> They also suggested that WADA should prove scientifically why the drug should be banned.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35785322|title=Maria Sharapova: Head questions Wada's stance on meldonium|publisher=BBC|accessdate=March 11, 2016}}</ref> The [[United Nations Development Programme]] suspended Sharapova from her role as a goodwill ambassador on March 16, while expressing thanks for her support of their work over the previous nine years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/tennis/united-nations-suspends-maria-sharapova-s-role-as-goodwill-ambassador/story-XCGrbYEAL1AVSHUHHlCySO.html|title=United Nations suspends Maria Sharapova's role as goodwill ambassador |work=Hindustantimes|date=March 16, 2016|accessdate=March 16, 2016}}</ref>
On April 12, WADA intimated that athletes who tested positive for meldonium before March 1 could avoid bans, but the International Tennis Federation said that Sharapova's case would proceed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/36045637 |title=Meldonium: Maria Sharapova faces hearing despite new Wada guidance |publisher=BBC News |date=April 14, 2016 |accessdate=April 16, 2016}}</ref> On June 8, the ITF announced that Sharapova would be suspended for two years. Sharapova indicated she would appeal the ban.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com/tennis/story/maria-sharapova-drug-test-ban-two-years-meldonium-060816 |title=Maria Sharapova banned from tennis for two years for positive drug test |publisher=FOX Sports |date=June 8, 2016 |accessdate=June 8, 2016}}</ref>
Following a hearing on 7 and 8 September 2016, the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] (CAS) panel found that Sharapova had a reduced perception of the risk that she took while using Mildronate, because (a) she had used Mildronate for around ten years without any anti-doping issue, (b) she had consulted the Russian doctor who prescribed the Mildronate for medical reasons, not to enhance her performance, and (c) she had received no specific warning about the change in status of meldonium from WADA, the ITF, or the WTA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/media/243891/243891.pdf|title=CAS 2016/A/4643 Maria Sharapova v. International Tennis Federation|publisher=itftennis.com|accessdate=October 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tas-cas.org/en/general-information/news-detail/article/cas-reduces-the-ban-of-maria-sharapova-to-fifteen-months.html|title=CAS reduces the ban of Maria Sharapova to fifteen months|publisher=tas-cas.org|accessdate= 4 October 2016}}</ref> However, the CAS panel also noted Sharapova's failure to disclose her use of meldonium on her doping control forms and that she was at fault for (a) failing to give her agent adequate instructions as to how to carry out the important task of checking the Prohibited List, and (b) failing to supervise and control the actions of her agent in carrying out that task (specifically the lack of any procedure for reporting or follow-up verification to make sure that her agent had actually discharged his duty).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itftennis.com/news/243888.aspx|title=CAS decision in the case of Maria Sharapova|publisher=ITFTennis.com|accessdate= Oct 4, 2016}}</ref>
On October 4, the CAS reduced the sanction imposed on Sharapova by an Independent Tribunal from 24 months to 15 months.<ref name="WTATennis.com"/> CAS has released a statement on its official website stating:<ref name="edition.cnn.com"/>
<blockquote>Ms. Sharapova committed an anti-doping rule violation and that while it was with "no significant fault", she bore some degree of fault, for which a sanction of 15 months is appropriate.</blockquote>
==Fed Cup participation==
Sharapova has lived in the United States since moving there at the age of seven, but retains her Russian citizenship, and is therefore eligible to play in the [[Fed Cup]] for Russia.<ref name="pravda">{{cite web|url=http://english.pravda.ru/society/stories/11-10-2005/9051-sharapova-0/|title=Maria Sharapova unwilling to trade her Russian citizenship for anything|publisher=[[Pravda]]|date=October 11, 2005|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> However, the behavior of Sharapova's father during her matches on the WTA Tour, combined with a perceived lack of commitment by her to the Fed Cup, has made her selection for the [[Russia Fed Cup team|Russian Fed Cup team]] controversial in the past.
After Sharapova had beaten fellow Russian [[Anastasia Myskina]] at the [[2004 WTA Tour Championships]], Myskina criticized Sharapova's father, saying: "He was just yelling and screaming instructions to her and I thought he just might jump right on the court at one point in the match." At the Fed Cup semifinals two weeks later, Myskina stated she would stop playing for Russia if Sharapova joined the Russian team the following season: "If she joins our team next season you won't see me there for sure. His behaviour is totally incorrect, simply rude. I don't want to be around people like him." [[Larisa Neiland]], assistant to Russia Fed Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev, added: "Her father's behaviour (at the WTA Tour Championships) was simply outrageous. I just don't see how he could work with the rest of us." However, Tarpishchev himself played down the problem, insisting: "I feel that things will calm down soon and we'll have Myskina, Sharapova, Kuznetsova and everyone else playing for Russia."<ref name="myskina">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4040243.stm|title=Myskina stands by Fed Cup threat|publisher=BBC|date=November 25, 2004|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
At the end of 2005, Sharapova stated she was now keen to make her Fed Cup debut<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4326784.stm|title=Sharapova keen to play for Russia|publisher=BBC|date=October 10, 2005|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> and was set to play against Belgium in April 2006, but withdrew.<ref name="sharapovadelays">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4788132.stm|title=Sharapova delays debut for Russia|publisher=BBC|date=March 8, 2006|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
She later withdrew from ties against Spain in April 2007<ref name="missfedcup">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6520271.stm|title=Sharapova to miss Fed Cup debut|publisher=BBC|date=April 2, 2007|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> and against the United States in July 2007 because of injuries.<ref name="pulloutangers">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6288526.stm|title=Sharapova pull-out angers Russia|publisher=BBC|date=July 10, 2007|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> The latter withdrawal led to Russia's captain saying she would be "ineligible for selection" for the Fed Cup final in September.<ref name="forfedcup">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6904802.stm|title=Russia drop Sharapova for Fed Cup|publisher=BBC|date=July 16, 2007|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> However, Sharapova attended the final, cheering from the sidelines and acting as a "hitting partner" in practices, resulting in some of her Russian teammates implying that she was attending only to enable her to play at the [[Tennis at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing Olympics]] (rules state that players must have "shown commitment" to Fed Cup in order to play). [[Svetlana Kuznetsova]] said, "She said she wanted to be our practice partner but if you can't play how then can you practice?"<ref name="rowover">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6999113.stm|title=Row over Sharapova's Fed Cup show|publisher=BBC|date=September 17, 2007|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
Sharapova finally made her Fed Cup debut in February 2008, in Russia's quarterfinal tie against [[Israel Fed Cup team|Israel]].<ref name="Fedcupdebut" >{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/sharapova-set-to-make-fed-cup-debut/2008/01/22/1200764265448.html|title=Sharapova set to make Fed Cup debut|work=The Age|accessdate=May 4, 2013|date=January 23, 2008}}</ref> She won both her singles rubbers, against [[Tzipora Obziler]] and [[Shahar Pe'er]], helping Russia to a 4–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fedcup.com/en/results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100010107|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630213658/http://www.fedcup.com/en/results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100010107|archivedate=June 30, 2008|publisher=Fed Cup|title=Fed Cup: Israel vs. Russia tie|date= February 2–3, 2008|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref> For the semifinals, she was given permission to skip the tie, with Tarpishchev announcing that she will be on the team for the final.<ref name="theage">{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/sharapova-set-to-make-fed-cup-debut/2008/01/22/1200764265448.html|work=The Age|accessdate=September 6, 2011|date=January 23, 2008|title=Sharapova set to make Fed Cup debut}}</ref> However, the date of the final coincided with the lay-off from her shoulder injury, and thus she did not play.<ref name="theage" />
In the 2011 first-round tie, Sharapova played [[Virginie Razzano]] of France and lost. Sharapova was supposed to play [[Alizé Cornet]] but she was suffering from a viral illness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-france-viral-illness/ |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130616031235/http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-france-viral-illness/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2013 |title=Sharapova pulls out of Gaz de France due to viral illness |publisher=TV-Novosti |work=[[Russia Today]] |date=February 10, 2011 |accessdate=May 4, 2013 |df= }}</ref> Teammate [[Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova]] played and defeated Cornet to secure the 3–2 win for Russia against France. Sharapova continued to participate in 2012 and helped Russia to a 3–2 win against Spain in the first-round tie. Sharapova defeated [[Silvia Soler Espinosa]] in the first rubber, but was unable to play her second rubber due to illness.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-russia-serbia-fed-cup-tarpischev-573/ |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130615221251/http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-russia-serbia-fed-cup-tarpischev-573/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |title=Sharapova to miss Fed Cup semis |publisher=TV-Novosti |work=[[Russia Today]] |date=February 6, 2012 |accessdate=May 22, 2013 |df= }}</ref> In 2015, Sharapova helped Russia earn a place in the semifinals after beating Pole [[Urszula Radwańska]] in the first tie and her sister [[Agnieszka Radwańska]] in the second tie. Sharapova was scheduled to play the semi-final against [[Germany Fed Cup team|Germany]], however, she withdrew days before the competition. She then joined the team for the final against [[Czech Republic Fed Cup team|Czech Republic]] and won both of her matches, against [[Petra Kvitová]] and [[Karolína Plíšková]]. Despite the 2 wins by Sharapova, Russia still lost 3–2 after losing the decisive doubles rubber.
==Playing style==
Sharapova is an aggressive baseliner with power, depth, and angles on her forehand and backhand.<ref name="profile">Jeff Cooper. [http://tennis.about.com/od/playersfemale/a/sharapovagp.htm Maria Sharapova – Tennis Game Profile], About.com. Retrieved July 23, 2008.</ref> She is one of the few players on the WTA tour who often use the reverse forehand. Instead of using a traditional [[volley (tennis)|volley]] or overhead [[Smash (tennis)|smash]], she prefers to hit a powerful "swinging" volley when approaching the net or attacking [[Lob (tennis)|lobs]].<ref>Douglas Robson. [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/wimb/2007-06-24-volleys_N.htm Swinging, midcourt volley becomes key weapon among pros], ''USA Today'', June 25, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2008.</ref> Sharapova is thought to have good speed around the court, especially considering her height.<ref name="profile"/> At the beginning of 2008, some observers noted that Sharapova had developed her game, showing improved movement and footwork and the addition of a [[drop shot]] and sliced backhand to her repertoire of shots.<ref>Steve Bierley. [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/23/tennis.australianopen2008 Sharapova adds variety to end Henin run], ''The Guardian'', January 23, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thetennistimes.com/maria-sharapova/|title=Maria Sharapova Scouting report|publisher=Thetennistimes.com|accessdate=August 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007231236/http://thetennistimes.com/maria-sharapova/|archivedate=October 7, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Despite her powerful game, Sharapova's greatest asset is considered to be her mental toughness and competitive spirit, with Nick Bollettieri stating that she is "tough as nails". Hall-of-famer [[John McEnroe]] said of Sharapova, "she's one of the best competitors in the history of the sport."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/04/1088879371559.html|author=Linda Pearce|work=The Age |title=Sharapova's arrival a victory for mental toughness|date=July 5, 2004|accessdate=June 12, 2010|location=Melbourne}}</ref>
Sharapova is known for on-court "[[grunting in tennis|grunting]]", which reached a recorded 101 [[decibel]]s during a match at [[2005 Wimbledon Championships|Wimbledon in 2005]].<ref name="grunting">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4118708.stm|title=Why do women tennis stars grunt?|author=Megan Lane|publisher=BBC|date=June 22, 2005|accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> During her second round match in Birmingham in 2003, Sharapova was asked to tone down the level of her grunt after opponent [[Nathalie Dechy]] complained to the umpire, with Sharapova's response saying that her grunting was "a natural instinct."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/06/12/878185.htm|title=Scream queen Sharapova warned to silence screams|date=June 12, 2003|accessdate=July 4, 2010}}</ref> [[Monica Seles]] suggested that grunting is involuntary and a part of tennis.<ref name="GruntTelegraph">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1523117/Grunting-is-just-part-of-my-game-claims-Sharapova.html|title=Grunting is just part of my game, claims Sharapova|author=Catriona Davies|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=September 24, 2008|accessdate=October 19, 2008}}</ref> When questioned by the media about her grunting, Sharapova urged the media to "just watch the match."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4649550.stm|title=Beaten Sharapova turns on media|publisher=BBC|date=January 26, 2006|accessdate=June 2, 2008}}</ref> Her defensive game has been worked on by her new coach, and this has reflected in her results, making consecutive semi-finals at premier mandatory events on the tour. Later in her career, Sharapova also added drop shots to her repertoire, making for a more unpredictable game style.
===Serve===
[[File:Maria Sharapova at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships 12 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Sharapova at The Championships, Wimbledon in 2009.]]
Early in her career, Sharapova's first and second serves were regarded as powerful,<ref name="profile"/> and she was believed to possess one of the best deliveries on the Tour.<ref name="Serve1" /> Since the beginning of 2007, however, problems with her shoulder have reduced the effectiveness of her serve.<ref name="Serve1">{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3046996|author=Joel Drucker|publisher=ESPN Tennis|title=Lingering injuries or limitations coming to light for Sharapova|date=October 3, 2007|accessdate=June 12, 2010}}</ref> The shoulder injury resulted in not only her inconsistent first serves, but also her hitting high numbers of double faults.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071124055318/http://www.tennis.com/features/general/features.aspx?id=108430 "Bottom line for the top women, 2007"], Tennis.com. Retrieved July 23, 2008.</ref> Two-time US Open singles champion [[Tracy Austin]] believes that Sharapova often loses confidence in the rest of her game when she experiences problems with her serve and consequently produces more unforced errors and generally plays more tentatively,<ref name="austin">{{cite web|author=Tracy Austin |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25396610/ |title=Austin: Sharapova loss a win for Venus and Serena |work=NBC Sports |date=June 27, 2008 |accessdate=July 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714023402/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25396610/ |archivedate=July 14, 2008 }}</ref> while tennis writer Joel Drucker remarked that her serve was the "catalyst for her entire game", and that her struggles with it left her "unmasked."<ref name="Serve1" />
In her return from layoff in 2008 to 2009, she used an abbreviated motion, which was somewhat less powerful, and though producing aces, also gave a very high number of double faults. After her early loss at the [[2009 US Open (tennis)|2009 US Open]], Sharapova returned to a more elongated motion, similar to her pre-surgery serve. She has since been able to produce speeds greater than before, including a 121-mph serve hit at the Birmingham tournament in 2010 – the fastest serve of her career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/7841792/Wimbledon-2010-Maria-Sharapova-fighting-fit-at-last-and-ready-to-reclaim-her-SW19-crown.html|title=Wimbledon 2010: Maria Sharapova fighting fit at last and ready to reclaim her SW19 crown|author=Mark Hodgkinson|date=June 21, 2010|accessdate=June 21, 2010|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}</ref>
However, since her shoulder operation Sharapova has been unable to control her serve. This has led to numerous faults, as she is unable to feel how much power she is generating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/09/sports/sp-la-women-tennis9|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first=Diane|last=Pucin|title=Maria Sharapova can't control her serve|date=August 9, 2009}}</ref> The new action led to an elbow injury, and, although under Thomas Högstedt it has improved, it can still be erratic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.optimumtennis.net/maria-sharapova-serve.htm|title=Maria Sharapova Serve Analysis – A Look Behind the Sharapova Serve Technique|publisher=Optimumtennis.net|accessdate=January 25, 2012}}</ref> This improvement in serving can be seen in the 2013 Australian Open and following tournaments where Maria Sharapova committed fewer double faults than in previous years.
===Surfaces===
Because she predicates her game on power, Sharapova's preferred surfaces early in her career were the fast-playing hard and grass courts, as evident through her 25 victories on hard court and grass court.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} This was most notable when she won the [[2004 Wimbledon]], [[2006 US Open (tennis)|2006 U.S. Open]] and [[2008 Australian Open]] crowns, where she had her career breakthrough and played her peak tennis level, respectively.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
Sharapova initially was not as well-suited to the slower clay courts as she is on hard and grass courts. Sharapova admitted in 2007 that she was not as comfortable with her movement on clay compared with other court surfaces and once described herself as like a "cow on ice" after a match on clay,<ref name="cow">Barry Flatman. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1867693.ece Sharapova: a cow on ice?], ''The Times'', May 31, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2008.</ref> due to her inability to slide. Later in her career, she showed improvement on this surface with respect to experience, as evidenced with her first WTA red-clay title at the [[2010 Internationaux de Strasbourg]], 7 years since playing on the WTA circuit. She won her first French Open title and captured the career grand slam at the [[2012 French Open]] and as of 2014, led the WTA tour of active players with the highest winning percentage on clay, with an 84.25% winning rate.<ref name="tennis.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/04/dont-have-cow/51317/#.U2WX28JOVwU|title=Don't Have a Cow|publisher=}}</ref> Since her shoulder injury, her best surface has become clay over grass & hard courts, and with her victory at the [[2014 French Open]], she has now won the French Open twice, which is more times than she has won any other slam, and three out of her four last Grand Slam Finals have all been at the French Open (3 consecutive finals from 2012–2014).
==Coaches==
Sharapova has had multiple coaches throughout her career including: [[Robert Lansdorp]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/20/wimbledon2005.wimbledon20 |title=Man who put the work into Sharapova}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3742834 |title=ESPN: The look of love}}</ref> Yuri Sharapov,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/09/sports/tennis/biggest-distraction-for-sharapova-is-her-father.html?mcubz=0&_r=0 |title=NY Times: Biggest distraction for Sharapova is her father}}</ref> [[Michael Joyce (tennis)|Michael Joyce]] in 2004–11,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.costa-del-tennis.com/tennis-interview-coach-michael-joyce/ |title=Coach Michael Joyce interview}}</ref> [[Jimmy Connors]] in 2013,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/10247183/Maria-Sharapova-dumps-coach-Jimmy-Connors-after-just-one-match-following-Cincinnati-Masters-defeat.html |title=Maria Sharapova dumps coach Jimmy Connors}}</ref> [[Sven Groeneveld]] in 2013–18,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2013/11/21/maria-sharapova-hires-sven-groeneveld-as-new-coach |title=Maria Sharapova hires Sven Groeneveld as her new coach}}</ref> [[Thomas Högstedt]] in 2011–13, 2018–19,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2013/07/12/maria-sharapova-splits-with-coach-thomas-hogstedt-ana-ivanovic-splits-with-nigel-sears|title=Maria Sharapova splits with coach|first=Courtney|last=Nguyen|publisher=}}</ref> and [[Riccardo Piatti]] in 2019–2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/maria-sharapova-is-ready-to-attack-again-coach-riccardo-piatti/|title=“Maria Sharapova is Ready To Attack Again”- Coach Riccardo Piatti|website=Essentially Sports|date=11 November 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life==
===Relationships===
In 2011, Sharapova was engaged to Slovenian professional basketball player [[Sasha Vujačić]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2010/10/21/maria-sharapova-sasha-vujacic-engaged-proposed-los-angeles-lakers/|title=Maria Sharapova & Sasha Vujacic – Engaged|publisher=[[TMZ.com|TMZ]]|date=October 21, 2010|accessdate=October 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=5713080|title=Maria Sharapova betrothed to guard|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=October 21, 2010|accessdate=October 22, 2010}}</ref> with whom she had been in a relationship since 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/11/lakers-sasha-vujacic-maria-sharapova-dating.html|title=The Fabulous Forum: Are Sasha Vujacic and Maria Sharapova dating?|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 3, 2009|accessdate=June 18, 2010}}</ref> On August 31, 2012, Sharapova confirmed that the pair had ended the engagement and separated earlier that year.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
===Public profile===
Sharapova has lived in the United States since moving there at the age of seven. Besides a home in [[Bradenton]], Florida, she also has a residence in [[Manhattan Beach, California]].<ref name="peoplemagazine">{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1183711,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223093250/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C26334%2C1183711%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 23, 2008 |title=Celebrity Q & A – Maria Sharapova |publisher=[[People Magazine]] |date=April 17, 2006 |author=Kathy Ehrich-Dowd |df= }}</ref>
From 2005 to 2011, Sharapova was named to the [[Forbes Celebrity 100]], which attempts to compile the top 100 most powerful celebrities of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/maria-sharapova|title=The Celebrity 100|work=[[Forbes]]|accessdate=June 28, 2011}}</ref>
Sharapova has made varying remarks on how long she intends to maintain her tennis career. Following the retirement of 25-year-old [[Justine Henin]] in 2008, Sharapova said, "If I [were] 25, and I'd won so many Grand Slams, I'd quit too."<ref name="henin">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7401565.stm|title=Henin is best of her generation|publisher=BBC|date=May 15, 2008|accessdate=July 23, 2008}}</ref> In an interview after the [[2008 Australian Open]], she balked at the idea of playing for another ten years, saying that she hoped to have a "nice husband and a few kids" by then.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22856899/ |title=Billie Jean King's text inspired Sharapova |agency=Associated Press |publisher=[[NBC Sports]] |date=January 26, 2008 |accessdate=October 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607055611/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22856899/ |archivedate=June 7, 2008 }}</ref> However, in an interview before her [[2012 Australian Open]] semifinal, Sharapova changed her stance, saying she intended to continue playing tennis for as long as she enjoyed playing the game. Sharapova stated, "I'm sure when I was 17 years old and someone said, you'll be playing for another eight years, it would be like, you're not going to see me at a press conference at 25 years old. But years go on. I missed a year in my career—I didn't play that year. I've said this, just before the tournament, a few weeks before, I woke up, and I was just so happy to be going back on the court. I felt so fresh, full of energy, just with a really good perspective. Times change, obviously. I see myself playing this sport for many more years because it's something that gives me the most pleasure in my life. I think it helps when you know you're good at something, and you can always improve it. It obviously helps with the encouragement."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportal.com.au/tennis-opinion-display/maria-not-ready-for-veterans-list-158083 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120915060011/http://www.sportal.com.au/tennis-opinion-display/maria-not-ready-for-veterans-list-158083 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 15, 2012 |title=Maria not ready for veteran's list – Tennis – Sportal Australia |publisher=Sportal.com.au |date= |accessdate=June 11, 2012 |first=Bren |last=O'Brien at }}</ref>
===Citizenship===
Although a [[Lawful permanent residents (United States)|United States resident]] since 1994, Sharapova still prefers Russian citizenship. Sharapova has stated the reason she prefers to keep Russian citizenship is because "it is about the family environment, it is about the rich culture. Just life experiences that I look back to and I know that for so many years I was shaped into the individual I was from those experiences. And not necessarily simply the country, but the people, the mentality and the toughness and that never giving up attitude".<ref>https://www.cnbc.com/2015/03/23/maria-sharapova-i-wont-trade-russian-citizenship.html</ref>
===Charity work===
The Maria Sharapova Foundation is committed to helping children around the world achieve their dreams. Sharapova has donated $100,000 to Chernobyl-related projects. In partnership with the UNDP, she launched a $210,000 scholarship program for students from Chernobyl-affected areas of Belarus that will award five-year scholarships to 12 students at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts and the Belarusian State University.<ref>{{cite web|author=www.xperedon.com |url=http://www.chnet.com/4209/maria-sharapova-foundation.html |title=Donate online to Maria Sharapova Foundation |publisher=Chnet.com |date= |accessdate=2017-03-29}}</ref> At the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|2004 US Open]], Sharapova, along with several other Russian female tennis players, wore a black ribbon in observance of the tragedy after the [[Beslan school hostage crisis]], which took place only days before.<ref name="espn">{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen04/news/story?id=1874900|title=Sharapova puts loss in perspective|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=David Boroff|date=September 6, 2004|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In 2005, she donated around US$50,000 to those affected by the crisis.<ref name="wtacareer"/> On February 14, 2007, Sharapova was appointed a [[UNDP Goodwill Ambassador|Goodwill Ambassador]] for the [[UNDP|United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP) and donated US$210,000 to [[Chernobyl Recovery and Development Programme (CRDP)|UNDP Chernobyl-recovery projects]]. She stated at the time that she was planning to travel back to the area after Wimbledon in 2008,<ref name="usatoday">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2007-08-13-799623401_x.htm|title=Maria Sharapova plans 1st trip back to Chernobyl since family fled|publisher=USAToday|author=Beth Harris|date=August 13, 2007|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> though it didn't happen since she had to travel back to the US because of her shoulder injury.<ref name="wimbledon">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629223721/http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2010-06-28/201006281277743223156.html|archivedate=June 29, 2010 |url=http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2010-06-28/201006281277743223156.html|title=Interview with Sharapova|publisher=WTA|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> She fulfilled the trip in late June/early July 2010. Sharapova has helped to promote the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], Russia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/sport/interview-with-maria-sharapova/|publisher=TV-Novosti|work=[[Russia Today]]|accessdate=May 4, 2013|title=Interview with Maria Sharapova|date=May 11, 2007}}</ref> and was the first torch bearer in the torch-lighting ceremony during the opening festivities. In addition, with [[Angela Haynes]], [[Maria Kirilenko]], [[Nicole Vaidišová]], [[Rennae Stubbs]], Governor [[Jeb Bush]], and [[Jennifer Capriati]], Sharapova participated in an exhibition in Tampa in December 2004, raising money for the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/tennis/story/7874647|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130615221331/http://www.cbssports.com/tennis/story/7874647|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 15, 2013|title=Capriati, Sharapova to play benefit for hurricane victims|publisher=CBS Sports|date=November 10, 2004|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> In July 2008, Sharapova sent a message on DVD to the memorial service of cancer victim Emily Bailes, who had performed the coin toss ahead of the [[2004 Wimbledon Championships|2004 Wimbledon final]] that Sharapova had gone on to win.<ref name="bbcnews">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/7489565.stm|title=Service held for Wimbledon girl|publisher=BBC|date=July 4, 2008|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
===Autobiography===
Sharapova's autobiography, ''Unstoppable: My Life So Far'' was published on September 12, 2017, by [[Farrar, Straus and Giroux|Sarah Crichton Books]].<ref>[http://www.vowelor.com/book/unstoppable-maria-sharapova-autobiography/ Unstoppable: My Life So Far by Maria Sharapova], ''Sarah Crichton Books''</ref>
==Endorsements==
[[File:Maria Sharapova, December 2008.jpg|thumb|Sharapova at official unveiling of her [[Canon PowerShot]] Diamond lineup]]
Sharapova's tennis success and appearance have enabled her to secure commercial endorsements that greatly exceed the value of her tournament winnings.<ref name="marcganis">Marc Ganis, the president of SportsCorp Ltd., a sports-industry consultant in Chicago, said, "Never underestimate the importance of physical beauty to an athlete's endorsement opportunities. Other than performance on the court, it may be the single most important asset." ''The New York Times''. [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/sports/tennis/03endorse.html?fta=y Serving Their Clients], September 7, 2006</ref><ref name="hbswk">"It does not hurt that Sharapova is regarded as one of the most beautiful athletes in the world." [http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5607.html Marketing Maria: Managing the Athlete Endorsement], [[Harvard Business School]] Lessons from the classroom, Sara Jane Gilbert, October 29, 2007. Retrieved on June 1, 2008.</ref> In March 2006, Forbes magazine listed her as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, with annual earnings of over US$18 million,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2006/03/22/woods-sharapova-nike_cx_lr_0322athletes_2.html|title=The World's Best-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|date=March 22, 2006}}</ref> the majority of which was from endorsements and sponsorships. She topped that list every year until 2016, even after her 2007 shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web|title = World's Highest-Paid Women Athletes|url =http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/earnings/women-paid.htm|accessdate =May 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/07/22/women-athletes-endorsements-biz-sports-cx_tvr_kb_0722athletes.html|title=Top-Earning Female Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|date=July 22, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/08/18/top-earning-female-athletes-business-sportsmoney-female-athletes.html|title=The World's Highest-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|date=August 18, 2010}}</ref> In 2011, ''Forbes'' listed Sharapova as No. 29 in their list of 50 top-paid athletes, the only woman on the list.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kurt Badenhausen |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106040824/http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/05/31/the-worlds-highest-paid-athletes/2/|archivedate=November 6, 2012|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2011/05/31/the-worlds-highest-paid-athletes/ |title=The World's Highest-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]] |date=April 18, 2012 |accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> In 2012, she was listed as No. 15, and was joined in the top 20 by [[Li Na]] at No. 16 and [[Serena Williams]] at No. 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2012/06/18/mayweather-tops-list-of-the-worlds-100-highest-paid-athletes/|title=Mayweather Tops List Of The World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes|work=[[Forbes]]|author=Kurt Badenhausen|date=June 18, 2012|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> In April 2005, ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' named her one of the 50 most beautiful celebrities in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=PEOPLE's 50 Most Beautiful People |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1046248_1054061,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104001504/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C1046248_1054061%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 4, 2007 |date=April 27, 2005 |accessdate=May 5, 2013 |df= }}</ref> In 2006, ''[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]]'' ranked Sharapova the hottest athlete in the world for the fourth consecutive year. She posed in a six-page bikini photoshoot spread in the 2006 [[Valentine's Day]] issue of the ''[[Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue]]'', alongside 25 supermodels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/swimsuit/coverfeatured/10256/index.htm|title=2006 SWIMSUIT COVER|work=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 4, 1995|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> In a poll run by Britain's ''[[FHM]]'' magazine, she was voted the [[FHM's 100 Sexiest Women (UK)#Most Eligible Bachelorettes|seventh most eligible bachelorette]],<ref name="newscomau">{{cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,21300664-10388,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303091807/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0%2C23663%2C21300664-10388%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 3, 2007 |work=News.com.au |title=Rod's daughter most eligible |date=February 28, 2007 |accessdate=May 4, 2013 |df= }}</ref> based on both "wealth and looks."
Immediately after her win at the 2004 Wimbledon Championship, mobile phone company [[Motorola]] signed Sharapova to endorse their mobile phone line.<ref name=nytdress/> Additionally, she appeared in commercials for [[Land Rover]] and [[Canon (company)|Canon]], as well as approved of namesake items by watch brand [[Tag Heuer]] and jeweller [[Tiffany & Co.|Tiffany]].<ref name=nytdress/> Tiffany also provides Sharapova with earrings from the "Tiffany for Maria Sharapova" collection at the four major events, that are also retailed globally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://press.tiffany.com/News/NewsItem.aspx?id=130 |title=Tiffany & Co. For The Press | News | Maria Sharapova to Wear Tiffany Earrings at the 2011 French Open | United States |publisher=Tiffany & Co. |date=May 11, 2011 |accessdate=June 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108004447/http://press.tiffany.com/News/NewsItem.aspx?id=130 |archivedate=January 8, 2013 }}</ref> She also starred in an award-winning campaign for the sports clothing brand Nike, "[[Pretty (advertisement)|Pretty]]", in the summer of 2006. She signed a sponsorship deal in January 2007 with [[Gatorade]] and [[Tropicana Products|Tropicana]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/01/Issue-72/Sponsorships-Advertising-Marketing/Pepsico-Inks-Sharapova-To-Promote-Gatorade-Tropicana-Brands.aspx |title=PepsiCo Inks Sharapova To Promote Gatorade, Tropicana Brands |publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |date=January 3, 2007 |accessdate=September 10, 2014 }}</ref> which ended in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/5163203/Maria-Sharapova-loses-tennis-fizz-as-Pepsi-end-deal.html |title=Maria Sharapova loses tennis fizz as Pepsi end deal |work=The Telegraph |date=April 16, 2009 |first=Rod |last=Gilmour |accessdate=September 10, 2014 }}</ref> In 2007, Sharapova was featured in a number of Canon USA's commercials for the PowerShot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/14539/maria-sharapova/|title=Maria Sharapova in Canon PowerShot commercial|publisher=LetsGoDigital|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> Sharapova has also been depicted in many tennis-related video games. Some of the titles include the ''[[Top Spin (video game)|Top Spin series]]'', ''[[Virtua Tennis]]'' series, and ''[[Grand Slam Tennis]]'' series. During the layoff due to her shoulder surgery, sensing the fleeting nature of a professional athlete's career, Sharapova decided to focus on developing her name as a brand, beginning with meeting with her sponsors more extensively to further her brand.<ref name=nytdress/> In January 2010, it was announced that Sharapova had renewed her contract with Nike, signing an 8-year deal for $70 million. This is the most lucrative deal ever for a sportswoman, dwarfing the previous record, which was Venus Williams' $43 million deal with Reebok.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jan/12/maria-sharapova-nike-deal|title=Maria Sharapova signs £43m deal with Nike|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Simon Cambers|accessdate=May 5, 2013|date=January 12, 2010}}</ref>
Following in the footsteps of tennis players who started clothing lines such as [[Fred Perry]] and [[René Lacoste]], Sharapova launched her own tennis apparel line, the "Nike Maria Sharapova Collection", in 2010. The collection includes dresses that she designed for all the major tournaments, in collaboration with Nike and [[Cole Haan]].<ref name=cnn-ms>{{cite web| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2012/01/27/sport/tennis/tennis-sharapova-grand-slam-design/index.html | publisher=CNN | title=Grand slam designs: Maria Sharapova's fashion statement | date=January 27, 2012|accessdate=May 19, 2013}}</ref> She had previously found that the outfits given to her by Nike did not suit her frame and were worn by too many other players.<ref name=nytdress/> She comes up with design ideas and sketches in a process that begins 18 months before the event<ref name=cnn-ms/> and receives royalties from the sale of the collection, of which the corresponding dresses are coordinated to be available simultaneously with the corresponding major tournament.<ref name=nytdress/> The collection is worn by other WTA players, including [[Sofia Arvidsson]], [[Eugenie Bouchard]], [[Kai-Chen Chang]], [[Andrea Hlaváčková]], [[Madison Keys]], [[Anastasia Pivovarova]] as well as junior players such as [[Indy de Vroome]].<ref name=cnn-ms/> Sharapova had earlier collaborated with Nike on the "little black dress" that she wore for her night matches at the 2006 US Open.<ref name=nytdress/> The dress featured a round crystal studded collar and was inspired by [[Audrey Hepburn]].<ref name=nytdress>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/fashion/maria-sharapovas-campaign-to-establish-herself-as-a-brand.html?pagewanted=all | work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Eric | last=Wilson | title=Maria Sharapova's Campaign to Establish Herself as a Brand | date=May 25, 2011|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> The dress was well publicized and received but was not mass-produced.<ref name=nytdress/><ref name=cnn-ms/><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sectionfront/life/sharapovas-little-black-dress-provokes-a-big-racket-at-us-open-448646/ | work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] | first=MacKenzie | last=Carpenter | title=Sharapova's little black dress provokes a big racket at U.S. Open | date=September 1, 2006|accessdate=May 5, 2013}}</ref> Additionally, she designs shoes and handbags for Cole Haan, for which her signature ballerina flats are one of the biggest sellers of the entire brand.<ref name=nytdress/>
Sharapova used the [[Prince Sports|Prince]] Triple Threat Hornet for part of 2003 and then used several different Prince racquets until the [[2004 US Open (tennis)|US Open]]. She gave the racquet she used in the [[2004 Wimbledon]] final to [[Regis Philbin]] when taping ''[[Live with Regis and Kelly]]''. Sharapova began using the Prince Shark OS at that tournament specially designed for her.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/PSHKOS/PSHKOSReview.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327130507/http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/PSHKOS/PSHKOSReview.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 27, 2008 |title=Prince Shark Racquet Review |accessdate=June 18, 2012 |publisher=Tennis Warehouse |df= }}</ref> She then switched to the Prince O3 White racquet in January 2006. She switched to the Prince O3 Speedport Black in July 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://princetennis.com/tennis/files/teamPrincePlayer.aspx?plyid=89 |title=Tennis Racquets, Tennis Footwear, String, EXO3 Racquet |publisher=Prince Tennis |accessdate=August 31, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022085350/http://www.princetennis.com/tennis/files/teamPrincePlayer.aspx?plyid=89 |archivedate=October 22, 2008 }}</ref> After being with Prince for ten years,<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228161310/http://tennis.com/articles/templates/gear.aspx?articleid=9327&zoneid=24|archivedate=December 28, 2010|url=http://tennis.com/articles/templates/gear.aspx?articleid=9327&zoneid=24 |title=Gear – Maria Sharapova's New Head for the New Year? |publisher=TENNIS.com |date=December 21, 2010 |accessdate=June 11, 2012}}</ref> Sharapova began endorsing [[Head (company)|Head]] racquets in 2011 and uses the Head YOUTEK IG Instinct.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.head.com/tennis/news.php?region=us&id=758|title=Performance meets Style – Maria Sharapova joins the HEAD team!|publisher=Head Tennis|date=January 3, 2011|accessdate=January 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/player.html?ccode=SHARAPOVA|title=Maria Sharapova|publisher=Tennis Warehouse|date=January 18, 2011|accessdate=January 18, 2011}}</ref> Sharapova signed a three-year deal to be brand ambassador for [[Porsche]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harley|first=Michael|title=Porsche picks Maria Sharapova as brand ambassador|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/23/porsche-picks-maria-sharapova-as-brand-ambassador/|accessdate=August 25, 2013}}</ref>
==Sugarpova==
''Sugarpova''<ref>{{cite web|title = International Shipping {{!}} Sugarpova|url = http://www.sugarpova.com/|website = www.sugarpova.com|access-date = February 3, 2016}}</ref> is a [[candy]] line created by Maria Sharapova and candy veteran Jeff Rubin, founder of international retailer IT'SUGAR.<ref name="Sugarpova Candy: Sharapova's Sweet Taste of Success">{{cite web|title=Sugarpova Candy: Sharapova's Sweet Taste of Success|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-17/sugarpova-candy-sharapovas-sweet-taste-of-success|accessdate=January 22, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Sharapova's Sugarpova lolly range 'smacks of irresponsible marketing'">{{cite news|title=Sharapova's Sugarpova lolly range 'smacks of irresponsible marketing'|url=http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/sharapovas-sugarpova-lolly-range-smacks-of-irresponsible-marketing/story-fneuz8zj-1226552023463|accessdate=January 22, 2013}}</ref> According to the Sugarpova website, "Sugarpova is a premium candy line that reflects the fun, fashionable, sweet side of international tennis sensation Maria Sharapova."<ref name="sugarpova.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.sugarpova.com/about/|title=About – Sugarpova|website=www.sugarpova.com|access-date=August 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803094456/http://www.sugarpova.com/about/|archive-date=August 3, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> A portion of all proceeds goes to the Maria Sharapova Foundation, Sharapova's charity.<ref name="sugarpova.com"/> Sugarpova was launched worldwide in 2013. In February 2016, Sugarpova announced that it had partnered with Polish company ''Baron Chocolatier''<ref>{{cite web|title = Baron Chocolatier Chocolates {{!}} Premium European Chocolate GMO FREE, NATURAL & KOSHER|url = https://baronchocolatier.com/|website = baronchocolatier.com|access-date = February 3, 2016}}</ref> to make Sugarpova Premium Chocolates.<ref>{{cite web|title = Sugarpova Partners With Baron Chocolatier|url = http://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/600253-sugarpova-partners-with-baron-chocolatier.html|website = VAVEL|access-date = February 3, 2016|first = Thomas|last = Cluck}}</ref> Sugarpova also plans to extend its range to lifestyle products.<ref>{{cite web|title = Sharapova to Extend Sugarpova to Home Goods Sleep and Loungewear|url = http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Sharapova-to-Extend-Sugarpova-to-Home-Goods-Sleep-and-Loungewear-articolo29926.html|website = www.tennisworldusa.org|access-date = February 3, 2016}}</ref>
Sharapova considered changing her name to ‘Sugarpova’ for the duration of the 2013 US Open for advertising reasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maria Sharapova hopes to change her surname to Sugarpova for US Open |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/aug/20/maria-sharapova-name-change-sugarpova |website=The Guardian |accessdate=26 February 2020}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
{{main|Maria Sharapova career statistics}}
===Grand Slam tournament performance timeline===
{{Performance key|short=yes}}
''Current through the [[2020 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2020 Australian Open]].''
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center;font-size:96%
|-
! Tournament
! [[2003 WTA Tour|2003]]
! [[2004 WTA Tour|2004]]
! [[2005 WTA Tour|2005]]
! [[2006 WTA Tour|2006]]
! [[2007 WTA Tour|2007]]
! [[2008 WTA Tour|2008]]
! [[2009 WTA Tour|2009]]
! [[2010 WTA Tour|2010]]
! [[2011 WTA Tour|2011]]
! [[2012 WTA Tour|2012]]
! [[2013 WTA Tour|2013]]
! [[2014 WTA Tour|2014]]
! [[2015 WTA Tour|2015]]
! [[2016 WTA Tour|2016]]
! [[2017 WTA Tour|2017]]
! [[2018 WTA Tour|2018]]
! [[2019 WTA Tour|2019]]
! [[2020 WTA Tour|2020]]
! {{Tooltip|SR|Strike Rate}}
! {{Tooltip|W–L|Win–Loss}}
! Win %
|-
| align=left | '''{{nowrap|[[Australian Open]]}}'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 Australian Open – Women's Singles|1R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2004 Australian Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2005 Australian Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2006 Australian Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|F]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2008 Australian Open – Women's Singles|W]]'''
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 Australian Open – Women's Singles|1R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2011 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2012 Australian Open – Women's Singles|F]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2013 Australian Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2014 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|F]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2016 Australian Open - Women's Singles|QF]]
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2018 Australian Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2019 Australian Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2020 Australian Open – Women's Singles|1R]]
| 1 / 16
| 57–15
| {{tennis win percentage|won=57|lost=15|integer=yes}}
|-
| align=left | '''[[French Open]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 French Open – Women's Singles|1R]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2004 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2005 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2006 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2007 French Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2008 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2009 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 French Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2011 French Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2012 French Open – Women's Singles|W]]'''
| style="background:thistle" | [[2013 French Open – Women's Singles|F]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2014 French Open – Women's Singles|W]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2015 French Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| A
| A
| style="background:#ffebcd" | [[2018 French Open – Women's Singles|QF]]
| A
|
| 2 / 14
| 56–12
| {{tennis win percentage|won=56|lost=12|integer=yes}}
|-
| align=left | '''[[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|W]]'''
| style="background:yellow" | [[2005 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2006 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2007 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2008 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2009 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:thistle" | [[2011 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|F]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2012 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2013 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2014 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2015 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|SF]]
| A
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2018 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|1R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2019 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|1R]]
|
| 1 / 15
| 46–14
| {{tennis win percentage|won=46|lost=14|integer=yes}}
|-
| align=left | '''[[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2003 US Open – Women's Singles|2R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2004 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2005 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| style="background:lime" | '''[[2006 US Open – Women's Singles|W]]'''
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2007 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2009 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2010 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2011 US Open – Women's Singles|3R]]
| style="background:yellow" | [[2012 US Open – Women's Singles|SF]]
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2014 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| A
| A
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2017 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2018 US Open – Women's Singles|4R]]
| style="background:#afeeee" | [[2019 US Open – Women's Singles|1R]]
|
| 1 / 13
| 38–12
| {{tennis win percentage|won=38|lost=12|integer=yes}}
|- style="font-weight:bold; background:#efefef"
| style=text-align:left | Win–Loss
| 4–4
| 15–3
| 19–4
| 20–3
| 16–4
| 11–2
| 7–3
| 8–4
| 16–4
| 21–3
| 12–3
| 16–3
| 14–3
| 4–1
| 3–1
| 8–4
| 3–3
| 0–1
| {{nowrap|5 / 58}}
| {{nowrap|197–53}}
| {{tennis win percentage|won=197|lost=53|integer=yes}}
|}
<small>
* Sharapova received a walkover in the fourth round of the [[2018 French Open – Women's Singles|2018 French Open]], which does not count as a win.</small>
====Singles finals: 10 (5 titles, 5 runner-ups)====
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Result
! Year
! width=120 | Tournament
! Surface
! width=150 | Opponent
! style="width:200px;" class="unsortable"| Score
|- style="background:#cfc"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2004 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2004]] || [[The Championships, Wimbledon|Wimbledon]] || Grass || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Serena Williams]] || 6–1, 6–4
|- style="background:#ccf"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2006 US Open – Women's Singles|2006]] || [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] || Hard || {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Justine Henin]] || 6–4, 6–4
|- style="background:#ffc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2007 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2007]] || [[Australian Open]] || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 1–6, 2–6
|- style="background:#ffc"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2008 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2008]] || Australian Open || Hard || {{flagicon|SRB|2004}} [[Ana Ivanovic]] || 7–5, 6–3
|- style="background:#cfc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2011 Wimbledon Championships – Women's Singles|2011]] || Wimbledon || Grass || {{flagicon|CZE}} [[Petra Kvitová]] || 3–6, 4–6
|- style="background:#ffc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2012 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2012]] || Australian Open || Hard || {{flagicon|BLR|1995}} [[Victoria Azarenka]] || 3–6, 0–6
|- style="background:#ebc2af"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2012 French Open – Women's Singles|2012]] || [[French Open]] || Clay || {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Sara Errani]] || 6–3, 6–2
|- style="background:#ebc2af"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2013 French Open|2013]] || French Open || Clay || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 4–6, 4–6
|- style="background:#ebc2af"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2014 French Open|2014]] || French Open <small>(2)</small> || Clay || {{flagicon|ROU}} [[Simona Halep]] || 6–4, 6–7<sup>(5–7)</sup>, 6–4
|- style="background:#ffc"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2015 Australian Open – Women's Singles|2015]] || Australian Open || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 3–6, 6–7<sup>(5–7)</sup>
|}
===WTA Tour Championships===
'''Finals: 3 (1 title, 2 runner-ups)'''
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! Result
! Year
! Surface
! width=150 | Opponent
! style="width:200px;" class="unsortable"| Score
|- style="background:#fffcc;"
| style="background:#98fb98;"| Win || [[2004 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2004]] || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Serena Williams]] || 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
|- style="background:#fffcc;"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2007 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2007]] || Hard || {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Justine Henin]] || 7–5, 5–7, 3–6
|- style="background:#fffcc;"
| style="background:#ffa07a;"| Loss || [[2012 WTA Tour Championships – Singles|2012]] || Hard || {{flagicon|USA}} Serena Williams || 4–6, 3–6
|}
==Awards==
{{See also|WTA Awards}}
{{Div col}}
;2003
*[[Russian Cup (tennis)|Russian Cup]] Newcomer of the Year
*Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Newcomer of the Year<ref name="WTA_Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |publisher=WTA |accessdate=April 29, 2013 |title=WTA Awards |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421031247/http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards |archivedate=April 21, 2013 |df= }}</ref>
;2004
*WTA Player of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info">{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499|publisher=WTA|accessdate=April 29, 2013|title=Players: Maria Sharapova|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606221849/http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499|archive-date=June 6, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*WTA Most Improved Player of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
;2005
*[[ESPY Awards|ESPY]] Best Female Tennis Player<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*Prix de Citron Roland Garros<ref>{{cite web|url=http://orange-citron.org/2005/communiques.php|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113030513/http://www.orange-citron.org/2005/communiques.php|archivedate=November 13, 2008|publisher=Prix Orange|language=French|accessdate=September 6, 2011|title=Communiqués de presse|trans-title=Press releases}}</ref>
*Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year
;2006
*Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year
*Whirlpool 6th Sense Player of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
;2007
*ESPY Best Female Tennis Player<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*ESPY Best International Female Athlete<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
;2008
*ESPY Best Female Tennis Player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/espyawrd.shtml#wtennis|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20020223000325/http://www.hickoksports.com/history/espyawrd.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 23, 2002|publisher=Hickock Sports|title=Women's Tennis|accessdate=September 6, 2011}}</ref>
*Russian Cup Team of the Year (as part of the [[Russia Fed Cup team|Fed Cup team]])
;2010
*WTA Fan Favorite Singles Player<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*WTA Humanitarian of the Year<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*WTA Most Fashionable Player (On Court)<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*WTA Most Fashionable Player (Off Court)<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
*WTA Most Dramatic Expression<ref name="WTA_Info"/>
;2012
*ESPY Best Female Tennis Player<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1255849-espy-awards-2012-winners-results-recap-and-top-moments|title=2012 ESPY Awards Winners: Results, Recap and Top Moments|publisher=Bleacher Report|author=Richard Langford|date=July 12, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref>
*[[Order of Merit for the Fatherland#Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland|Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland]] 2nd Class (April 28, 2012) – ''for her philanthropic activity''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pravo.gov.ru:8080/page.aspx?13296|script-title=ru:Указ Президента Российской Федерации от April 28, 2012 № 529 "О награждении государственными наградами Российской Федерации"|publisher=Government of Russia|language=Russian|accessdate=May 5, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517012042/http://www.pravo.gov.ru:8080/page.aspx?13296|archivedate=May 17, 2012}}</ref>
*[[Order of Merit for the Fatherland#Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland|Medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland]] 1st Class (August 13, 2012) – ''for her outstanding contribution to the development of physical cultures and sports at the XXX Olympic Games in 2012 in London (Great Britain)''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://graph.document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1623257 |script-title=ru:Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 13 августа 2012 года № 1165 "О награждении государственными наградами Российской Федерации" |publisher=Government of Russia |language=Russian |accessdate=May 5, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130423171125/http://graph.document.kremlin.ru/page.aspx?1623257 |archivedate=April 23, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref>
*Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year
;2016
*[[Order For Merit to the Fatherland]] (February 5, 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.championat.com/tennis/news-2371661-mutko-vruchil-sharapovoj-gosudarstvennye-nagrady.html|title=Мутко вручил Шараповой государственные награды|trans-title=Mutko handed in government awards to Sharapova|publisher=Championat.com|date=February 5, 2016|accessdate=February 5, 2016|language=Russian}}</ref>
{{Div col end}}
== See also ==
{{Portal|Tennis|Politics}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[ATP World Tour records]]
*[[WTA Tour records]]
*[[List of WTA number 1 ranked players]]
*[[List of female tennis players]]
*[[List of tennis rivalries]]
*[[Tennis records of the Open Era – Women's Singles]]
{{div col end}}
==References==
'''General'''
*{{cite web|url=http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499/title/maria-sharapova|title=Players: Maria Sharapova|publisher=WTA|accessdate=April 19, 2013}}
'''Specific'''
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links==
{{commons}}
*{{Official website}} {{in lang|en}}
*{{WTA}}
*{{ITF profile}}
*{{Fed Cup player}}
{{Maria Sharapova}}
{{Maria Sharapova start boxes}}
{{navboxes|title=Maria Sharapova in the [[grand slam (tennis)|Grand Slam Tournaments]]
|list1=
{{Tennis Career Grand Slam Champions}}
{{Australian Open women's singles champions}}
{{French Open women's singles champions}}
{{Wimbledon women's singles champions}}
{{US Open women's singles champions}}
}}
{{navboxes|title=[[Maria Sharapova career statistics]]
|list1=
{{Tennis World Number Ones (women)}}
{{WTA Year-End Championship winners}}
}}
{{Russian Cup Female Tennis Player of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharapova, Maria}}
[[Category:Maria Sharapova|*]]
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of supra-national bodies]]
[[Category:Australian Open (tennis) champions]]
[[Category:Expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:French Open champions]]
[[Category:Grand Slam (tennis) champions in women's singles]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in tennis]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for Russia]]
[[Category:Olympic tennis players of Russia]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Bradenton, Florida]]
[[Category:People from Nyagan]]
[[Category:Russian expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:Russian female models]]
[[Category:Russian female tennis players]]
[[Category:Tennis players at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Russian officials of the United Nations]]
[[Category:US Open (tennis) champions]]
[[Category:Wimbledon champions]]
[[Category:World No. 1 tennis players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" I class]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" II class]]
[[Category:Russian sportspeople in doping cases]]
[[Category:Doping cases in tennis]]
[[Category:Tatar people of Russia]]' |
All external links in the new text (all_links) | [
0 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/9499/title/maria-sharapova',
1 => 'http://wtafiles.wtatennis.com/pdf/rankings/All_Career_Prize_Money.pdf',
2 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/8728691/US-Open-2011-Elena-Baltacha-warns-Heather-Watson-of-the-extreme-intensity-of-Maria-Sharapova.html',
3 => 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZUeNoPV-F0',
4 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140106223920/http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/Notes&Netcords/2012/july16.pdf',
5 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/Notes&Netcords/2012/july16.pdf',
6 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130728161149/http://www.3news.co.nz/Maria-Sharapova-reclaims-world-number-one-ranking/tabid/415/articleID/257186/Default.aspx',
7 => 'http://www.3news.co.nz/Maria-Sharapova-reclaims-world-number-one-ranking/tabid/415/articleID/257186/Default.aspx',
8 => 'http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2079150_2079148_2079118,00.html',
9 => 'https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2015/08/12/the-worlds-highest-paid-female-athletes-2015/#2782d7397b11',
10 => 'https://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2016/03/08/how-maria-sharapova-earned-285-mill-during-her-tennis-career/#1ddef49766fd',
11 => 'https://www.forbes.com/sites/daniellerossingh/2018/03/08/maria-sharapova-to-mentor-women-business-owners/#578584bd00de',
12 => 'https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35750285',
13 => 'http://www.itftennis.com/news/225826.aspx',
14 => 'https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/36482288',
15 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5949604/title/cas-reduce-sharapova-suspension-to-15-months',
16 => 'http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/04/tennis/tennis-sharapova-cas-drugs/',
17 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/content/inside-maria-sharapovas-cas-appeal-decision-reduce-ban-0',
18 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2309886/Sharapova-still-haunted-by-Chernobyl.html',
19 => 'http://lenta.ru/lib/14164248/',
20 => 'http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article3177376.ece',
21 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110707185603/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-11732071-masha-was-a-star-at-four.do',
22 => 'http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-11732071-masha-was-a-star-at-four.do',
23 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120725075033/http://www.eddieherr.com/PastChampions.htm',
24 => 'http://www.eddieherr.com/PastChampions.htm',
25 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120317171129/http://www.eddieherr.com/2009/PlayerPacket09.pdf',
26 => 'http://www.eddieherr.com/2009/PlayerPacket09.pdf',
27 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5567102/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-20-facts-you-didnt-know.html',
28 => 'http://www.itftennis.com/juniors/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=100013223',
29 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20170928193303/http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Rankings_Stats/Singles_Numeric_2003.pdf',
30 => 'http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Rankings_Stats/Singles_Numeric_2003.pdf',
31 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/wimbledon_2003/3028488.stm',
32 => 'http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2003-11-02-quebec_x.htm',
33 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130517115202/http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards',
34 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/scontent/article/3010014/title/wta-awards',
35 => 'https://archive.is/20130616031055/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/australian_open/2004/01/24/bc.sport.tennis.open.myskina/',
36 => 'http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/tennis/specials/australian_open/2004/01/24/bc.sport.tennis.open.myskina/',
37 => 'http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2004-02-20-roundup_x.htm',
38 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/01/1086058856148.html',
39 => 'https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25495-2004Jul3.html',
40 => 'https://archive.is/20120912142226/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-11722204-birth-of-a-superstar.do',
41 => 'http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-11722204-birth-of-a-superstar.do',
42 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=1834581',
43 => 'http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/27/commentary/column_sportsbiz/sportsbiz/index.htm',
44 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/3628366.stm',
45 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/25/1098556329960.html?from=storylhs',
46 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4015111.stm',
47 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4363185.stm',
48 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/01/sports/tennis/01tennis.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/S/Sharapova,%20Maria&_r=0',
49 => 'https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21225-2005Apr2.html',
50 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4544729.stm',
51 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/01/tennis.frenchopen2005',
52 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4085880.stm',
53 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4639341.stm',
54 => 'http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/qa-sharapovas-first-business-aims-for-the-sweet-spot/479274.html',
55 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4228310.stm',
56 => 'http://sports.ndtv.com/tennis/news/17404-davenport-regains-no-1-ranking',
57 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen06/news/story?id=2579411',
58 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/4818828.stm',
59 => 'http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-03-19/sports/0603190381_1_pacific-life-open-title-indian-wells-james-blake',
60 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/apr/02/tennis.richardevans',
61 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/sports/tennis/04french-wire.html?_r=0',
62 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/5091134.stm',
63 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200607/s1680842.htm',
64 => 'http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2006-08-06-acura-classic_x.htm',
65 => 'http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/open/2006-09-08-day-12_x.htm?POESPOISVA',
66 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen06/news/story?id=2581102',
67 => 'http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-11-26/sports/0611250235_1_maria-sharapova-justine-henin-hardenne-wta-championships',
68 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6326809.stm',
69 => 'https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/03/25/us-tennis-miami-idUSL2308180420070325',
70 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140729030341/http://voices.yahoo.com/serena-williams-defeats-maria-sharapova-today-key-270447.html',
71 => 'http://voices.yahoo.com/serena-williams-defeats-maria-sharapova-today-key-270447.html',
72 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6689561.stm',
73 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jun/07/tennis.frenchopen2007',
74 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/6762093.stm',
75 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/04/tennis.wimbledon1',
76 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6974187.stm',
77 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/7038379.stm',
78 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/nov/11/tennis.news',
79 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3149968',
80 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7201953.stm',
81 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/sports/tennis/24tennis.html?fta=y',
82 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7341970.stm',
83 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140908041540/http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2004359654_digs19.html',
84 => 'http://seattletimes.com/html/othersports/2004359654_digs19.html',
85 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=tennis&id=3397722',
86 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/french08/news/story?id=3415126',
87 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215040319/http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/8184486/Sharapova-a-long-way-from-Grand-Slam-form',
88 => 'http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/8184486/Sharapova-a-long-way-from-Grand-Slam-form',
89 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/sports/tennis/03tennis.html',
90 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3424588',
91 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon08/columns/story?columnist=garber_greg&id=3462202',
92 => 'http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2008/07/30/rogers-cup-three.html',
93 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/tennis/7536416.stm',
94 => 'http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/brennan/2011-06-30-Brennan-maria-sharapova-wimbledon-final_n.htm',
95 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/tennis/sharapova-out/2009/01/11/1231608525444.html',
96 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4192265',
97 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/5430320/French-Open-2009-Maria-Sharapova-and-the-curse-of-the-cover-stars.html',
98 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=4256242',
99 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5624035/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-suffers-shock-defeat-by-Gisela-Dulko.html',
100 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen09/news/story?id=4448907',
101 => 'http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/10/03/tennis.sharapova.jankovic.venus/',
102 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/oct/07/maria-sharapova-china-open-shuai',
103 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/australianopen/7016124/Australian-Open-2010-Maria-Sharapova-dumped-out-by-Maria-Kirilenko.html',
104 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/tennis/8526723.stm',
105 => 'http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/tennis/03/18/tennis.sharapova.injury.elbow/index.html',
106 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100413075534/http://www.usta.com/Global/Pro_Tennis/Pro_Tennis/Wire/2010/04/09/Serena_Williams_Sharapova_withdraw_from_Family_Circle_Cup.aspx',
107 => 'http://www.usta.com/Global/Pro_Tennis/Pro_Tennis/Wire/2010/04/09/Serena_Williams_Sharapova_withdraw_from_Family_Circle_Cup.aspx',
108 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120925202148/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/tennis/2010/05/24/257792/Sharapova-wins.htm',
109 => 'http://www.chinapost.com.tw/sports/tennis/2010/05/24/257792/Sharapova-wins.htm',
110 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/7785938/French-Open-2010-Justine-Henin-defeats-Maria-Sharapova.html',
111 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100701033332/http://www.skysports.com/tennis/tournaments/story/0,25174,18898_6236218,00.html',
112 => 'http://www.skysports.com/tennis/tournaments/story/0,25174,18898_6236218,00.html',
113 => 'https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/serena-forced-into-top-gear-to-tame-sharapova-2013078.html',
114 => 'http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/serena-williams-avoids-flashback-beats-sharapova/',
115 => 'http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2010-08-01-bank-of-the-west-classic_N.htm',
116 => 'http://www.cincytennis.com/clijsters_wins/',
117 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen10/news/story?id=5539423',
118 => 'http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2010-09-27-pan-pacific-open_N.htm',
119 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/photos/article/2213795/title/2010-year-end-top-20',
120 => 'http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2010/12/sharapova-hires-hogstedt-to-co-coach-with-joyce/26210/',
121 => 'https://archive.is/20130615221220/http://origin-www.wtatennis.com/page/OffCourtNews/Read/0,,12781~2239156,00.html',
122 => 'http://origin-www.wtatennis.com/page/OffCourtNews/Read/0,,12781~2239156,00.html',
123 => 'http://en.ria.ru/sports/20110116/162167367.html',
124 => 'http://en.rian.ru/sports/20110123/162258814.html',
125 => 'http://espn.go.com/tennis/blog/_/name/espntennis/month/february-2011',
126 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110323155204/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/wozniacki-wins-bnp-paribaas-open_n_838169.html',
127 => 'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/20/wozniacki-wins-bnp-paribaas-open_n_838169.html',
128 => 'http://en.rian.ru/sports/20110330/163283242.html',
129 => 'http://espn.go.com/tennis/aus12/story/_/id/7513049/2012-australian-open-victoria-azarenka-routs-maria-sharapova-win-title',
130 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2360583/title/sharapovas-greatest-clay-court-triumph',
131 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120322014754/http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2011-06-02/201106021307029251097.html',
132 => 'http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/news/articles/2011-06-02/201106021307029251097.html',
133 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/14002512',
134 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2405569/title/serena-shines-in-qfs-lisicki-awaits-in-sfs',
135 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2417634/title/stosur-dismisses-li-tough-day-for-faves',
136 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2422838/title/bartoli-back-on-track-serena-edges-hradecka',
137 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2425089/title/hantuchova-gets-past-bartoli-zvonareva-next',
138 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2426294/title/zvonareva-sharapova-to-clash-in-semifinals',
139 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2427204/title/former-world-no1s-to-collide-in-cincinnati',
140 => 'https://archive.is/20130407230738/http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110821/SPT/308210027/Sharapova-wins-women-s-title?odyssey',
141 => 'http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110821/SPT/308210027/Sharapova-wins-women-s-title?odyssey',
142 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/2428859/title/ranking-watch-maria-moves-up-to-no4',
143 => 'http://www.tennisnow.com/News/Maria-Sharapova-Shocked-Out-of-US-Open,-More-From-.aspx',
144 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231212/http://ajw.asahi.com/article/sports/topics/AJ2011093012822',
145 => 'http://ajw.asahi.com/article/sports/topics/AJ2011093012822',
146 => 'http://en.rian.ru/sports/20110929/167244910.html',
147 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120111124801/http://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/news?slug=ycn-10746909',
148 => 'https://sports.yahoo.com/tennis/news?slug=ycn-10746909',
149 => 'https://archive.is/20130615221223/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jkWBQLZ15wdEi6m7Hpp14Jg8J8mg?docId=CNG.697f089e0b767f4cfb209463a0122c94.61',
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151 => 'http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/05/10/sharapova-serena-reach-madrid-open-quarters/',
152 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/18138072',
153 => 'https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/sharapova-savours-her-sweetest-triumph-as-reward-for-comeback-7834856.html',
154 => 'http://www.cbssports.com/olympics/blog/eye-on-olympics/19352136/maria-sharapova-to-carry-russian-flag-in-opening-ceremony',
155 => 'http://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/tennis/story/_/id/8229534/2012-london-olympics-serena-williams-maria-sharapova-play-gold-medal',
156 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9452056/London-2012-Olympics-Serena-Williams-storms-to-gold-medal-as-she-thrashes-Maria-Sharapova-in-womens-final.html',
157 => 'http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/27/sports/la-sp-sn-sharapova-not-pregnant-20120827',
158 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120907134135/http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/8342222/2012-us-open-maria-sharapova-once-again-reigns-rain',
159 => 'http://espn.go.com/espnw/more-sports/8342222/2012-us-open-maria-sharapova-once-again-reigns-rain',
160 => 'http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/sport/story/172129.html',
161 => 'http://english.cntv.cn/program/sportsscene/20121008/104625.shtml',
162 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130810072751/http://www.wtachampionships.com/page/Scores/0,,12910,00.html',
163 => 'http://www.wtachampionships.com/page/Scores/0,,12910,00.html',
164 => 'http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/8798746/maria-sharapova-withdraws-brisbane-international-due-collarbone-pain',
165 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/3042968/title/once-in-a-lifetime-for-sharapova',
166 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21133423',
167 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130218071902/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/436019/20130216/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-wta-qatar-victoria.htm',
168 => 'http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/436019/20130216/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-wta-qatar-victoria.htm',
169 => 'http://espn.go.com/tennis/story/_/id/9062961/maria-sharapova-wins-indian-wells-title-caroline-wozniacki',
170 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130320110024/http://tennis.si.com/2013/03/17/sharapova-wins-indian-wells-bnp-wozniacki/',
171 => 'http://tennis.si.com/2013/03/17/sharapova-wins-indian-wells-bnp-wozniacki/',
172 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140606213820/http://www.ubitennis.com/english/sport/tennis/2013/03/21/862125-sharapova_aims_coast_coast_double.shtml',
173 => 'http://www.ubitennis.com/english/sport/tennis/2013/03/21/862125-sharapova_aims_coast_coast_double.shtml',
174 => 'http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/03/17/sharapova-sails-past-wozniacki-in-indian-wells-final/',
175 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130608141813/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-madrid-final_n_3262472.html',
176 => 'http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/12/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-madrid-final_n_3262472.html',
177 => 'https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1636598-serena-williams-vs-maria-sharapova-world-no-1-will-dominate-madrid-open-final',
178 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/22331232',
179 => 'http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2013/05/12/Serena-Williams-repeats-as-Madrid-Open-champion/UPI-57451368363562/',
180 => 'http://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/17/sport/tennis/djokovic-nadal-tennis-sharapova',
181 => 'http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/05/17/serena-azarenka-reach-semis-sharapova-pulls-out-in-rome/',
182 => 'https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2013/08/21/maria-sharapova-withdraws-us-open/2683231/',
183 => 'http://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-to-make-tennis-comeback-at-brisbane-international/story-fndkzym4-1226759913966',
184 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140311045906/http://tennis.si.com/2014/03/10/maria-sharapova-camila-giorgi-indian-wells/',
185 => 'http://tennis.si.com/2014/03/10/maria-sharapova-camila-giorgi-indian-wells/',
186 => 'http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tennis/top-stories/Sharapova-wins-Madrid-Open-title/articleshow/34985579.cms',
187 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/sports/tennis/maria-sharapova-wins-french-open.html?_r=0',
188 => 'http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-2654515/Maria-Sharapova-hops-London-Underground-seeing-boyfriend-Grigor-Dimitrov-beat-James-Ward-Queens-Club.html#ixzz34HRs4TtE',
189 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5016773/title/maria-sharapova-to-come-back-in-wuhan',
190 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5033380/title/injury-cuts-short-sharapova-comeback',
191 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5038315/title/maria-sharapova-withdraws-from-beijing',
192 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5250538/title/halep-sharapova-out-of-brisbane',
193 => 'http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2016/February/Sharapova-to-Sit-out-Fed-Cup-Singles.aspx',
194 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5337381/title/sharapova-out-of-doha',
195 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/article/5391658/title/sharapova-out-of-indian-wells',
196 => 'http://rsport.ru/tennis/20160616/947053301.html',
197 => 'http://rbth.com/sport/2016/06/17/russian-sports-minister-sharapovas-lawyers-followed-the-hollywood-script_603791',
198 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/maria-sharapova-soars-past-roberta-vinci-stuttgart-opener-porsche-tennis-grand-prix',
199 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/05/08/maria-sharapova-vs-eugenie-bouchard-live/',
200 => '//www.worldcat.org/issn/0307-1235',
201 => 'http://m.bbc.com/sport/tennis/39932614',
202 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/310137/title/Maria-Sharapova',
203 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/siniakova-supreme-over-sharapova-make-second-straight-shenzhen-final',
204 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-quells-sharapova-battle-former-aussie-champs',
205 => 'http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018/02/sharapova-commits-52-unforced-errors-loss-niculescu-doha/72055/',
206 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/osaka-overcomes-frustrated-sharapova-indian-wells',
207 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/sharapova-snaps-losing-streak-madrid-blasts-past-buzarnescu',
208 => 'https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2018/05/08/912092-wta-madrid-sharapova-overcomes-huge-scare-storms-past-begu-in-straight-sets.html',
209 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/sharapova-powers-mladenovic-revenge-madrid',
210 => 'http://www.wtatennis.com/news/bertens-seals-sharapova-madrid-comeback-win',
211 => 'https://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-seals-rival-sharapova-mallorca',
212 => 'https://bestsport.news/sharapova-won-tomljanovic-exhibition-tournament-in-abu-dhabi/',
213 => 'https://www.essentiallysports.com/maria-sharapova-announces-sad-news-ahead-of-australian-open-2020/',
214 => 'https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/02/maria-sharapova-steps-away-from-the-game',
215 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/35750285',
216 => 'https://swimswam.com/blood-flow-drug-meldonium-added-to-wadas-banned-substances-list/',
217 => 'https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-fails-drug-test-her-statement-in-full-after-testing-positive-for-meldonium-a6917911.html',
218 => 'http://www.rferl.org/content/sharapova-drug-meldonium-mildronate-not-doping-latvian-inventor/27603162.html',
219 => 'http://wjla.com/news/nation-world/sharapova-calls-news-conference-to-make-major-announcement',
220 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-18/holmes-when-wada-goes-rogue/7334952',
221 => 'https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/04/05/meldonium-experts-wada-performance-enhancing-drug/82663156/',
222 => 'https://www.reuters.com/article/tennis-sharapova-idUSKCN0WA1XU',
223 => 'http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/maria-sharapova-drug-bombshell-what-happens-to-tennis-superstar-after-positive-meldonium-test/news-story/dfc1c781281cbc64367832955766c8bc',
224 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20160319233235/http://www.usada.org/substances/prohibited-list/major-changes-2016-prohibited-list/',
225 => 'http://www.usada.org/substances/prohibited-list/major-changes-2016-prohibited-list/',
226 => 'http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/77730102/former-wada-president-dick-pound-rips-maria-sharapova-how-stupid-can-you-be',
227 => 'http://www.smh.com.au/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-denies-missing-warnings-about-meldonium-20160312-gnh8yh.html',
228 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/12/maria-sharapova-denies-warned-five-times-meldonium',
229 => 'http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2016/04/05/tennis-world-continues-hate-maria-sharapova/',
230 => 'http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11614009',
231 => 'http://www.thedailystar.net/sports/tennis/mcenroe-doesnt-believe-sharapova-790798',
232 => 'http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03lyp7y',
233 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-08/maria-sharapova-jennifer-capriati-twitter-drug-test/7229972',
234 => 'http://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/muted-response-from-rivals-is-because-maria-sharapova-has-no-friends-on-tour-evert/news-story/25942ce807c2b28b0038b11f981bba5d',
235 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/09/sports/tennis/serena-williams-says-sharapovas-announcement-surprised-her.html',
236 => 'http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11603707',
237 => 'http://www.thenational.ae/sport/tennis/andy-murray-joins-rafael-nadal-in-calls-for-maria-sharapova-to-face-punishment',
238 => 'http://www.newsjs.com/url.php?p=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/tennis/taking-a-drug-you-dont-necessarily-need-because-its-legal-is-wrong-andy-murray-on-sharapova-ban-34530253.html',
239 => 'http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2016/06/federer-calls-zero-tolerance-following-news-sharapovas-two-year-ban/58937/#.V2c_BJMrJ0c',
240 => 'http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Sports/2016-03-27/Shocked-Federer-breaks-silence-on-Sharapova-doping-scandal/216707',
241 => 'https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-tennis-no-tears-are-shed-for-maria-sharapova-1457739940',
242 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/07/maria-sharapova-failed-drugs-test-australian-open-2016-tennis',
243 => 'http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/02/05/maria-sharapova-fed-cup-doubles-olympics-russia-tennis/',
244 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35751916',
245 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/08/maria-sharapova-meldonium-drug-test-sponsors',
246 => 'http://www.thenational.ae/sport/tennis/head-stand-by-maria-sharapova-after-failed-drug-test-we-look-forward-to-working-with-her',
247 => 'https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/35785322',
248 => 'http://www.hindustantimes.com/tennis/united-nations-suspends-maria-sharapova-s-role-as-goodwill-ambassador/story-XCGrbYEAL1AVSHUHHlCySO.html',
249 => 'https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/36045637',
250 => 'http://www.foxsports.com/tennis/story/maria-sharapova-drug-test-ban-two-years-meldonium-060816',
251 => 'http://www.itftennis.com/media/243891/243891.pdf',
252 => 'http://www.tas-cas.org/en/general-information/news-detail/article/cas-reduces-the-ban-of-maria-sharapova-to-fifteen-months.html',
253 => 'http://www.itftennis.com/news/243888.aspx',
254 => 'http://english.pravda.ru/society/stories/11-10-2005/9051-sharapova-0/',
255 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4040243.stm',
256 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4326784.stm',
257 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4788132.stm',
258 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6520271.stm',
259 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6288526.stm',
260 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6904802.stm',
261 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/6999113.stm',
262 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/news/tennis/sharapova-set-to-make-fed-cup-debut/2008/01/22/1200764265448.html',
263 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20080630213658/http://www.fedcup.com/en/results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100010107',
264 => 'http://www.fedcup.com/en/results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100010107',
265 => 'https://archive.is/20130616031235/http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-france-viral-illness/',
266 => 'http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-france-viral-illness/',
267 => 'https://archive.is/20130615221251/http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-russia-serbia-fed-cup-tarpischev-573/',
268 => 'http://rt.com/sport/tennis/sharapova-russia-serbia-fed-cup-tarpischev-573/',
269 => 'http://tennis.about.com/od/playersfemale/a/sharapovagp.htm',
270 => 'https://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/wimb/2007-06-24-volleys_N.htm',
271 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/23/tennis.australianopen2008',
272 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20111007231236/http://thetennistimes.com/maria-sharapova/',
273 => 'http://thetennistimes.com/maria-sharapova/',
274 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/04/1088879371559.html',
275 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4118708.stm',
276 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2003/06/12/878185.htm',
277 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1523117/Grunting-is-just-part-of-my-game-claims-Sharapova.html',
278 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/4649550.stm',
279 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3046996',
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284 => 'http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/09/sports/sp-la-women-tennis9',
285 => 'http://www.optimumtennis.net/maria-sharapova-serve.htm',
286 => 'http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/tennis/article1867693.ece',
287 => 'http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2014/04/dont-have-cow/51317/#.U2WX28JOVwU',
288 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/20/wimbledon2005.wimbledon20',
289 => 'http://www.espn.com/espnmag/story?id=3742834',
290 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/09/sports/tennis/biggest-distraction-for-sharapova-is-her-father.html?mcubz=0&_r=0',
291 => 'https://www.costa-del-tennis.com/tennis-interview-coach-michael-joyce/',
292 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/10247183/Maria-Sharapova-dumps-coach-Jimmy-Connors-after-just-one-match-following-Cincinnati-Masters-defeat.html',
293 => 'https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2013/11/21/maria-sharapova-hires-sven-groeneveld-as-new-coach',
294 => 'https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2013/07/12/maria-sharapova-splits-with-coach-thomas-hogstedt-ana-ivanovic-splits-with-nigel-sears',
295 => 'https://www.essentiallysports.com/maria-sharapova-is-ready-to-attack-again-coach-riccardo-piatti/',
296 => 'http://www.tmz.com/2010/10/21/maria-sharapova-sasha-vujacic-engaged-proposed-los-angeles-lakers/',
297 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=5713080',
298 => 'http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/11/lakers-sasha-vujacic-maria-sharapova-dating.html',
299 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20080223093250/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1183711,00.html',
300 => 'http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1183711,00.html',
301 => 'https://www.forbes.com/profile/maria-sharapova',
302 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7401565.stm',
303 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20080607055611/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22856899/',
304 => 'http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22856899/',
305 => 'https://archive.is/20120915060011/http://www.sportal.com.au/tennis-opinion-display/maria-not-ready-for-veterans-list-158083',
306 => 'http://www.sportal.com.au/tennis-opinion-display/maria-not-ready-for-veterans-list-158083',
307 => 'http://www.chnet.com/4209/maria-sharapova-foundation.html',
308 => 'http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/usopen04/news/story?id=1874900',
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310 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100629223721/http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/interviews/2010-06-28/201006281277743223156.html',
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312 => 'http://rt.com/sport/interview-with-maria-sharapova/',
313 => 'https://archive.is/20130615221331/http://www.cbssports.com/tennis/story/7874647',
314 => 'http://www.cbssports.com/tennis/story/7874647',
315 => 'http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/7489565.stm',
316 => 'http://www.vowelor.com/book/unstoppable-maria-sharapova-autobiography/',
317 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/sports/tennis/03endorse.html?fta=y',
318 => 'http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5607.html',
319 => 'https://www.forbes.com/2006/03/22/woods-sharapova-nike_cx_lr_0322athletes_2.html',
320 => 'http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/earnings/women-paid.htm',
321 => 'https://www.forbes.com/2008/07/22/women-athletes-endorsements-biz-sports-cx_tvr_kb_0722athletes.html',
322 => 'https://www.forbes.com/2010/08/18/top-earning-female-athletes-business-sportsmoney-female-athletes.html',
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332 => 'https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/maria-sharapova-fails-drug-test-her-statement-in-full-after-testing-positive-for-meldonium-a6917911.html',
333 => 'https://www.itftennis.com/procircuit/players/player/profile.aspx?playerid=100013223',
334 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/01/sports/tennis/01tennis.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/S/Sharapova,%20Maria&_r=0',
335 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/09/sports/tennis/biggest-distraction-for-sharapova-is-her-father.html?mcubz=0&_r=0',
336 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/04/sports/tennis/04french-wire.html?_r=0',
337 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/03/sports/tennis/03endorse.html?fta=y',
338 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/sports/tennis/24tennis.html?fta=y',
339 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/03/sports/tennis/03tennis.html',
340 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/fashion/maria-sharapovas-campaign-to-establish-herself-as-a-brand.html?pagewanted=all',
341 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/sports/tennis/maria-sharapova-wins-french-open.html?_r=0',
342 => 'https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/09/sports/tennis/serena-williams-says-sharapovas-announcement-surprised-her.html',
343 => 'https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/03/25/us-tennis-miami-idUSL2308180420070325',
344 => 'https://www.reuters.com/article/tennis-sharapova-idUSKCN0WA1XU',
345 => 'https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2013/07/12/maria-sharapova-splits-with-coach-thomas-hogstedt-ana-ivanovic-splits-with-nigel-sears',
346 => 'https://www.si.com/tennis/beyond-baseline/2013/11/21/maria-sharapova-hires-sven-groeneveld-as-new-coach',
347 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1523117/Grunting-is-just-part-of-my-game-claims-Sharapova.html',
348 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/tennis/9452056/London-2012-Olympics-Serena-Williams-storms-to-gold-medal-as-she-thrashes-Maria-Sharapova-in-womens-final.html',
349 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5567102/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-20-facts-you-didnt-know.html',
350 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/5430320/French-Open-2009-Maria-Sharapova-and-the-curse-of-the-cover-stars.html',
351 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/5624035/Wimbledon-2009-Maria-Sharapova-suffers-shock-defeat-by-Gisela-Dulko.html',
352 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/australianopen/7016124/Australian-Open-2010-Maria-Sharapova-dumped-out-by-Maria-Kirilenko.html',
353 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/7785938/French-Open-2010-Justine-Henin-defeats-Maria-Sharapova.html',
354 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/7841792/Wimbledon-2010-Maria-Sharapova-fighting-fit-at-last-and-ready-to-reclaim-her-SW19-crown.html',
355 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/10247183/Maria-Sharapova-dumps-coach-Jimmy-Connors-after-just-one-match-following-Cincinnati-Masters-defeat.html',
356 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/mariasharapova/5163203/Maria-Sharapova-loses-tennis-fizz-as-Pepsi-end-deal.html',
357 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/usopen/8728691/US-Open-2011-Elena-Baltacha-warns-Heather-Watson-of-the-extreme-intensity-of-Maria-Sharapova.html',
358 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wtatour/2309886/Sharapova-still-haunted-by-Chernobyl.html',
359 => 'https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2017/05/08/maria-sharapova-vs-eugenie-bouchard-live/',
360 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/01/tennis.frenchopen2005',
361 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/jun/20/wimbledon2005.wimbledon20',
362 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/apr/02/tennis.richardevans',
363 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jun/07/tennis.frenchopen2007',
364 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/jul/04/tennis.wimbledon1',
365 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/nov/11/tennis.news',
366 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/jan/23/tennis.australianopen2008',
367 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/oct/07/maria-sharapova-china-open-shuai',
368 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jan/12/maria-sharapova-nike-deal',
369 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/aug/20/maria-sharapova-name-change-sugarpova',
370 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/12/maria-sharapova-denies-warned-five-times-meldonium',
371 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/07/maria-sharapova-failed-drugs-test-australian-open-2016-tennis',
372 => 'https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/08/maria-sharapova-meldonium-drug-test-sponsors',
373 => 'https://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/wimb/2007-06-24-volleys_N.htm',
374 => 'https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2016/04/05/meldonium-experts-wada-performance-enhancing-drug/82663156/',
375 => 'https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2013/08/21/maria-sharapova-withdraws-us-open/2683231/',
376 => 'https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/02/maria-sharapova-steps-away-from-the-game',
377 => 'https://www.vavel.com/en-us/tennis-usa/2018/05/08/912092-wta-madrid-sharapova-overcomes-huge-scare-storms-past-begu-in-straight-sets.html',
378 => 'https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25495-2004Jul3.html',
379 => 'https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21225-2005Apr2.html',
380 => 'https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11666',
381 => 'https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11666#P2642',
382 => 'https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11666#P597',
383 => 'https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11666#P599',
384 => 'https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11666#P856',
385 => 'https://www.worldcat.org/identities/containsVIAFID/84236875',
386 => 'https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-tennis-no-tears-are-shed-for-maria-sharapova-1457739940',
387 => 'https://www.wtatennis.com/news/kerber-seals-rival-sharapova-mallorca',
388 => 'https://www.wtatennis.com/players/310137/maria-sharapova',
389 => 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZUeNoPV-F0'
] |
