Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (pronunciation: shah-RAH-puh-vuh,^{[citation�needed]}: Russian: Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова; (listen�(help·info)) born April 19, 1987) is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player, the current number 2 ranked female tennis player, the world's highest-paid female athlete,Martin, John. "The Highest Paid Female Athlete On The Planet; Why Sharapova Is So Hot", ABC News, September 7, 2006. Retrieved on September 7, 2006. and a model.

Sharapova has won two Grand Slam singles titles. She is the reigning U.S. Open champion, having won the 2006 title over Justine Henin-Hardenne. Two years earlier, she won the 2004 Wimbledon Championships, defeating Serena Williams in the final.

Career

In 2004, Sharapova became the third-youngest Wimbledon women's champion (after Lottie Dod and Martina Hingis) and second-youngest in the open era by defeating Ai Sugiyama (5-7, 7-5, 6-1) in the quarterfinals, Lindsay Davenport (2-6, 7-6, 6-1) in the semifinals, and two-time defending champion Serena Williams (6-1, 6-4) in the final. She also became the first Russian to win that tournament. Defeat came at the hands of French player and two time Grand Slam champion, Mary Pierce, at the U.S. Open a few months later. Sharapova ended 2004 with a victory at the season-ending WTA Championships, defeating Williams (4-6, 6-2, 6-4) after coming back from an 0-4 final set deficit against injured Williams. After losing to Sharapova in a semifinal of this event, Anastasia Myskina said: "He [Sharapova's father] 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."

From June 2004 until her Wimbledon semifinal appearance in 2005, Sharapova won 22 straight matches on grass, including back-to-back Birmingham titles and the Wimbledon crown. Sharapova's success continued after winning Wimbledon, both on the court, making the semifinals of the 2005 Australian Open, holding three match points there before falling to Serena Williams 2-6, 7-5, 8-6, and off it, with numerous commercial endorsements.

Defending her Wimbledon title in 2005, Sharapova sailed through to the semifinals without losing a set, but then lost to a rejuvenated Venus Williams (7-6, 6-1). Sharapova's streak on grass was ended, as was her quest to dethrone No. 1 Davenport.

However, a back injury that Davenport sustained in the Wimbledon final meant that she could not defend the ranking points she obtained during the U.S. hard court season of 2004. Sharapova had fewer points to defend and therefore rose to the No. 1 ranking on August 22, 2005. Her reign lasted only a week when Davenport re-ascended after winning the New Haven title. Sharapova rose to the No. 1 ranking again on September 12, 2005, despite losing in the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Sharapova held on to the No. 1 ranking for a further six weeks before relinquishing it again to Davenport following the 2005 Zurich Open.

Sharapova's loss in a semifinal of the 2005 U.S. Open against Kim Clijsters marked the fourth time that season she had lost at a Grand Slam tournament to the eventual champion: Australian Open-SF-Serena Williams, French Open-QF-Justine Henin-Hardenne, Wimbledon-SF-Venus Williams, U.S. Open-SF-Kim Clijsters. That streak was broken in January 2006, when Sharapova lost in an Australian Open semifinal to Henin-Hardenne, who lost in the final to Amélie Mauresmo.

Sharapova, as the third seed, claimed her first title of 2006 at the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells (a Tier 1 event), defeating No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva in the final, 6-1 6-2. This was the 11th title of her career. Sharapova and Dementieva were the first Russians to reach the final of that event. Soon after, Sharapova reached the final of the Nasdaq-100 Open, losing to Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-3.

Sharapova participated at the 2006 French Open having not played any clay court tune-ups. After saving three match points in the first round against Mashona Washington, Sharapova was eliminated in the fourth round by Dinara Safina 7-5, 2-6, 7-5, after Sharapova led 5-1 in the third set. Sharapova lost 18 of the match's last 21 points.

Sharapova welcomed the onset of the grass season but failed to add a third successive Birmingham title to her collection, losing in the semifinals to American Jamea Jackson.

For the second consecutive year, Sharapova was defeated in the semifinals of Wimbledon, losing to eventual winner Mauresmo 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.

Sharapova claimed her second title of 2006 as the second seed at the Acura Classic in San Diego, defeating top seeded Clijsters, 7-5, 7-5. This was Sharapova's first victory over Clijsters in five meetings.

Sharapova entered the 2006 U.S. Open seeded third after Clijsters dropped out of the tournament with a wrist injury. Considered one of the favorites to reach the final, she lived up to expectations defeating Mauresmo, the number one player in the world, in a semifinal 6-0, 4-6, 6-0. Sharapova was victorious in the final, beating Henin-Hardenne 6-4, 6-4 to win her second Grand Slam title, 13th tournament of her career, and third tournament of the year.

Sharapova won the 2006 Zurich Open, defeating Daniela Hantuchova 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 in the final. Sharapova then won the Generali Ladies Linz, defeating fellow Russian and defending champion Nadia Petrova 7-5, 6-2. That was her fifth title of 2006 and the 15th title of her career.

It has been announced that Sharapova will play for the Russian Fed Cup team for the first time in 2007.

As of December 2, 2006:

• Sharapova has a 2-5 record in Grand Slam semifinals.
• Sharapova has a combined 3-8 record against the other top players in the world (1-3 against third ranked Mauresmo and 2-5 against top ranked Henin-Hardenne). Sharapova is 2-4 against Clijsters and 4-1 against Davenport, both of whom were formerly top ranked.

Legal action

In July 2006, Sharapova and her agents sued Byzantium Productions, Inc., a Florida-based production company, accusing them of illegally using her name and image to promote their documentaries. A federal judge ruled in Byzantium's favor on August 3, 2006.Federal judge ruling in Byzantium's favor

Awards

2003

• WTA (World Tennis Association)Newcomer of the Year
• Hottest female athlete of the year (Maxim)

2004

• WTA Player of the Year
• WTA Most Improved Player of the Year
• WTA Player Service
• Hottest female athlete of the year (Maxim)

2005

• ESPY Best Female Tennis Player
• Named the country's best female player for the year by Russia's tennis federation
• Awarded the honorary Master of Sports of Russia title.
• Hottest female athlete of the year (Maxim)
• Prix de Citron Roland Garros

2006

• Hottest female athlete of the year (Maxim)
• Named the country's best female player for the year by Russia's tennis federation

Personal life

Sharapova's parents moved from Gomel, Belarus, to Siberia, Russia, in 1986, after the Chernobyl nuclear accident. She was born in Nyagan, Russia, the following year.

At age 7, Sharapova was brought to the United States by her father to attend the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Her mother followed a few years later.

Sharapova has lived in the United States since she was a child but retains Russian citizenship.

Sharapova recently purchased a beachfront home in Manhattan Beach, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, but lives most of the year near the IMG training facility in Bradenton.

At 19, Sharapova has yet to finish high school.[1]

Endorsements

• Following her Wimbledon victory in 2004, Sharapova signed a one-year deal with automobile manufacturer, Honda, but the deal was only in Japan.
• Land Rover - In April 2006 Sharapova signed a three-year deal to endorse their vehicles. One source with knowledge of the deal said it was worth approximately US $2 million a year. Sharapova gets a free Land Rover Range Rover Sport in Florida and a chauffeured Land Rover Discovery wherever she wants.
• Motorola - a fee, plus a mobile phone and all her mobile phone bills paid, plus a share of the income of downloads from HelloMoto/Maria. Was criticized by some members of the American press for holding a RAZR to her ear at roughly the same time her father was seen talking on a similar phone, as this may have violated the USTA's no sideline-coaching rule.Sharapova Fingered in Bananagate
• Gatorade - energy drink
• TAG Heuer - In December 2004, she signed a deal with Swiss sports watch TAG Heuer to become their latest "sport and glamour" ambassador.
• Nike Inc. - Sharapova has been known to wear somewhat eccentric or revealing outfits from Nike on court, best exemplified by a Breakfast at Tiffany's-inspired dress at the 2006 U.S. Open, which many mocked for its use of sequins and seemingly futuristic neckline. She also has been featured in several Nike marketing campaigns, including one advertisement in 2006 that had her walking and riding through the streets of New York City and Arthur Ashe Stadium while everyone around her sings "I Feel Pretty" until she returns a serve with her trademark loud grunt.
• Prince Sports, Inc. - Sharapova has committed to a "lifetime" of sponsoring the only tennis racket brand she's used as a pro. The endorsement deal that will last until the end of her playing career and beyond.
• Canon Inc. - Sharapova promotes both their office and camera products.

Sharapova's endorsements have earned her considerably more than she has won in tournament play. In June 2005, Forbes magazine listed her as the highest-paid female athlete in the world, with annual earnings of US $18 million. [CBS, the American television network, reported in August 2006 that the figure is over US $20 million.] In total, she earns over UK£13.4 million per year, over 90 percent of which comes from endorsements. When asked about her income, she said, "It's never enough. Bring on the money. There's no limit to how much you can make."[2] In a later interview, she said, "You know, one of the greatest things about being an athlete and, you know, making money is realising that you can help, you know, help the world, and especially children, who I absolutely love working with."[3]

Racquet

Sharapova's first racquet (before she entered the professional circuit) was one given to her by a family friend.

Sharapova used the Prince Tour Diablo for part of 2003, and then used several different Prince racquets until the US Open 2004. Sharapova began using the Prince Shark MP at the 2004 US Open, and was a major part in the production of the Shark racquet. She then switched to the Prince O3 White racquet in January 2006, and this is currently the racquet that Sharapova plays with.

Trivia

• In April 2005, Sharapova was listed by People Magazine as among the 50 most beautiful celebrities in the world.
• In 2006, Maxim magazine named Sharapova the hottest athlete in the world for the fourth consecutive year.
• In February 2006, Sharapova was featured in a six-page bikini photoshoot spread in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue annual magazine that debuted on Valentine's Day, along with 25 scantily-clad supermodels. Sharapova joined the ranks of other athletes who have previously appeared in the publication.
• In June 2006, Sharapova appeared in a commercial for ESPN's This is SportsCenter campaign. In the commercial, she is walking past Stuart Scott's desk when he stops her. He offers her a can of tennis balls he received from a supplier. She says that the can is filled with paper "worms" and that she doesn't want it. Scott acts offended, causing Sharapova to feel bad. She obliges to take the can, opens it, and paper worms fly into her face. She angrily walks away and throws the can back at Scott after he asks for it back. This commercial also featured Roger Federer who suffers the same fate before Sharapova. This was her second commercial for ESPN. The first one involved anchor John Anderson giving Sharapova a seat, which he was saving for Stuart Scott, even though he declined to give the seat to another anchor. This was an obvious reference to Sharapova's looks, as she is seen as one of the most beautiful athletes in the world.
• Never one to stay quiet on court, perhaps one of the most controversial aspects of Sharapova's game is her trademark on-court "grunting" or "screaming." Quite possibly the loudest female screamer since Monica Seles, a London tabloid is reported to have claimed that "her persistent shrieks topped out at 102 decibels" (as loud as a police siren).Sharapova's decibel levels. Sharapova claims that this is just part of her game and that only the British press give her a hard time about it. Elena Dementieva, Sharapova's opponent in a 2006 Wimbledon quarterfinal, complained about the distraction it causes.Sharapova makes 'too much noise' Later in US Open, Tatiana Golovin said: "Shrieking is not going to make the tennis ball come to me faster."[4]
• Sharapova says that what she enjoys most about being a professional tennis player is the traveling and getting to meet new people and see new cultures.WTA tour news comment: enjoys traveling/ getting to meet new people.
• Sharapova is good friends with fellow Russian tennis player Maria Kirilenko, although Sharapova does not get along with the other female Russian tennis players.Good friend of a fellow Russian tennis player
• Sharapova is affectionately called "Masha".Biography
• Sharapova gave the racquet she used in the Wimbledon final to Regis Philbin when taping Live with Regis and Kelly.
• Sharapova is the only Russian female player with more than one Grand Slam singles title.^{[citation�needed]}
• Sharapova's favorite fashion designer is Marc Jacobs. She is sometimes seen in Marc Jacobs fashion shows.^{[citation�needed]}
• Sharapova is the first and only Russian to be World no.1.
• The Japanese have honored Sharapova by making The Sharapowan.

Quotes

• I believe, at the end of the day, personally, my life is not about a banana. (when asked at the press conference after the 2006 U.S. open final about her father's illegal signaling and feeding her during the match).Slippery slope: Day after win, Sharapova peels away banana question - AP
• I’ve been playing against older and stronger competition my whole life. It has made me a better tennis player and able to play against this kind of level despite their strength and experience.Maria Sharapova quotes
• When I was working my way to the top of tennis, I didn't say I was number two, I said I wanted to be number one.Sharapova proves her worth

Grand Slam singles finals

Wins (2)

WTA Tour Championships singles finals

Wins (1)

Tier I singles finals

Wins (4)

Runner-up (3)

WTA Tour titles (18)

Singles (15)

Singles Runner-ups (4)

• 2004: Zurich (lost to Alicia Molik 4-6, 6-2, 6-3)
• 2005: Miami (lost to Kim Clijsters 7-5, 6-3)
• 2006: Dubai (lost to Justine Henin-Hardenne 7-5, 6-2)
• 2006: Miami (lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-3)

Doubles Titles (3)

• 2003: Japan Open (Partner: Tamarine Tanasugarn) 7-6, 6-0
• 2003: Luxembourg (Partner: Tamarine Tanasugarn) 6-1, 6-4
• 2004: Birmingham (Partner: Maria Kirilenko) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles Runner-ups (1)

• 2004: Memphis (Partner: Vera Zvonareva) 6-4, 7-6

Performance timeline

To prevent confusion and double counting, information in this table is updated only once a tournament or the player's participation in the tournament has concluded. This table is current through the WTA Tour Championships, which ended on November 12, 2006.