Maria Sharapova was born on April 19, 1987 in Nyagan, a town in the Siberian region of Russia. In 1989 the family moved to the Black Sea city of Sochi.
When she was 4 years old, a chance encounter changed her life. She met with the father of
tennis champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who gave her a racket.From that moment, she started hitting
tennis balls. The game soon became a passion for it.
Two years later, was in a clinic when another
tennis champion changed her life. Martina Navratilova was in the building and she showed him only 6 years her talent. Martina Navratilova spoke with Maria's father and advised him to take her to the most famous
tennis academy, that of Bollettieri in Florida.
Soon after, this same advice was repeated by the head coach of the Russian Federation. Everyone agreed it was best that could be done by the enormous talent of Mary. When she was only 7, Yuri took his daughter to the U.S. without knowing a word of English and with less than $ 1,000 in your pocket.
IMG, the sports management company agreed to sponsor Maria and put up the $ 35,000 per year it costs to stay at the Bollettieri Academy. Not knowing any English either, and was very shy and introverted.
While her father took odd jobs, Maria moved into the bedroom with 9 years sharing a room with three older girls, she quickly learned the language.However, it was hard for her, especially since her mother, Yelena, remained in Russia because they could not get the visa.
Two years later, her mother was finally coming to Florida and be reunited with her daughter and husband. From that moment, she's educated, having never been in a formal school in her life.
Her official
tennis career began in 2001, when she joined the junior circuit.During that year, won 25 games and lost only 3. With three titles: Sacramento, Hilton Head and Pilsen in the Czech Republic.
The following season,
Maria Sharapova did even better on the junior circuit with 26 victories and, again, only 3 losses. She once more won three titles: Vancouver, Peachtree and Gunma in Japan. The same year, was allowed to play a limited number of matches on the professional circuit.
She won one match and lost two, including one against Monica Seles in the second round at Indian Wells, her first professional tournament. After all results were tabulated, it was number 186 in the WTA rankings.
By 2003,
Sharapova had paid her dues and could play in the big leagues. She joined the WTA Tour and impressed everyone with her talent. In that season, 34 wins and 11 losses.
Sharapova also won two professional titles: Quebec City and the Japan Open. Also won two doubles titles with Tamarine Tanasugarn: Luxembourg and the Japan Open. When the season was the situation in the ranking had improved to place at number 32.
Currently, this teminando her secondary education at Keystone High, an online school. Advertising does occasionally, but their priority is
tennis. Also, do not need the money, it has very high income with their sponsoring brands, Nike, NEC and Prince.
Sharapova currently resides in Bradenton, Florida.
Now in 2004 just won her first Grand Prix tournament devoting as champion of Wimbledon Lawn
Tennis after defeating in the final to American Serena Williams, seeded number one and defending champion 6-1, 6 - 4 in 73 minutes.
Sharapova was presented to the first Grand Slam final of her fledgling career, which faced no less than the champion of the last two versions of the event, with a determination, peace and confidence that surprised more than thirteen thousand spectators present at the central stadium.
At 17 years and two months became the first Russian to win the tournament and also the second youngest player to win the title of British Open, third Grand Slam of the season, behind Switzerland's Martina Hingis, who was 16 years and nine months when she was champion in 1997
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