After a glittering career that saw her complete a career Grand Slam, win 36 WTA titles, and spend 21 weeks as the WTA World No.1, Maria Sharapova announced her retirement from tennis this week.
You can read the touching farewell she wrote to the sport here.
Tennis showed me the world—and it showed me what I was made of. It’s how I tested myself and how I measured my growth. And so in whatever I might choose for my next chapter, my next mountain, I’ll still be pushing. I’ll still be climbing. I’ll still be growing. pic.twitter.com/kkOiJmXuln
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) February 26, 2020
What an unbelievable career for the 32-year-old Russian, who battled through injuries the whole way. The farewells and tributes poured in this week.
Farewell to one of the greatest competitors in the history of the sport. @MariaSharapova pic.twitter.com/6wRpBaB7gx
— Nike (@Nike) February 26, 2020
From the day @MariaSharapova won her first #Wimbledon title at age 17, she has been a great champion.
A 5x major champion and a former World No. 1, her business success is just as impressive as her tennis achievements.
Maria, the best is yet to come for you! #MissYouMaria
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) February 26, 2020
Amazing career. Amazing leader. Amazing human. Thank you for all you’ve done for tennis @MariaSharapova. I can’t wait to watch your journey continue off court. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uhxE963zZM
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) February 27, 2020
After 20 years playing professionally on some of the most hallowed tennis courts around the world, Maria Sharapova is retiring from the sport. https://t.co/CqbEVYucnG pic.twitter.com/om4XZ4EnPL
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2020
🍿 Counting down some of @MariaSharapova's best moments at the US Open 🍿
1⃣ We have to start with when she won the 2006 US Open, of course 🏆 pic.twitter.com/zepWsg1Gc9
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) February 26, 2020
Oh, and she also won Wimbledon when she was 17. years. old. I mean, come on!
The day a star was born…#Wimbledon | @MariaSharapova pic.twitter.com/RT3kqk203g
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) February 26, 2020
Retire on Monday, Shark Tank on Saturday? I’m here for it!
.@MariaSharapova isn’t here to play. 😏 Catch the newest Guest Shark tomorrow at 8|7c! https://t.co/5t9G72ljub
— Shark Tank (@ABCSharkTank) February 27, 2020
Still trying to get the tears under control too, Maria. All the best in retirement!
Just when I got the tears under control ….😭 https://t.co/mR9f3C201U
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) February 27, 2020
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Leylah Annie Fernandez has been taking the tennis world by storm in 2020 . She’ll play for a spot in her first WTA final on Friday night in Mexico!
Trabajando duro y divirtiéndome! Estoy lista para … #AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/wGEnctVAmR
— leylahfernandez (@leylahfernandez) February 28, 2020
Two finals in two weeks for the always entertaining Felix Auger-Aliassime. Take a well deserved week off, FAA!
The Djoker stretched his outrageous unbeaten streak to 17 in 2020, defeating Gael Monfils in a three-set marathon on Friday in Dubai. Probably could have been a pretty good soccer player too…
17-0 in 2020
17-0 vs Monfils@DjokerNole is some competitor 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QXnLr56xwG— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 28, 2020
⚽️(🎥@Eurosport_RU ) pic.twitter.com/RodMwpm1RN
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) February 24, 2020
Djokovic can use his head, Nadal can use his feet…I see a future beyond tennis for the Grand Slam champs. Nadal is playing (and winning) in Mexico this week.
Tennis skills: ✅
Footy skills: ✅Is there anything @RafaelNadal can’t do? 😉#AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/7pfmnsMaPW
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 28, 2020
And, of course, Pospisil and maple syrup continued their loving partnership at the National Bank Challenger in Calgary this week. A match made in heaven if you ask me!
Looking forward to seeing @VasekPospisil take to the court on WEDNESDAY NIGHT! Get your tickets at https://t.co/L3euQO8aIW 🇨🇦🎾🍻 pic.twitter.com/CtVOPNKa77
— CalgaryNBChallenger (@YYCNBChallenger) February 23, 2020
(Feature image: @MariaSharapova)