Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova celebrated her 36th birthday on April 19, and this one was extra special, as it was her first as a mother. The retired athlete, known for her fierce competitive spirit and stunning beauty, shared a heartwarming photo on Instagram of herself holding her son, wearing a stylish red dress with puff sleeves.
The Russian athlete had a storied career on the tennis court, winning five Grand Slam titles and numerous other championships. She became one of the most recognizable faces in the sport, known for her aggressive playing style and fashion-forward outfits. However, she retired from professional tennis in 2020, due to persistent struggles with shoulder injuries and an inability to prove herself after a career-altering Meldonium doping ban in 2016.
Since then, Sharapova has switched to building her business empire as an investor and entrepreneur. Despite her outstanding career success, she says that becoming a mother has been the greatest joy of her life: “It’s really the best. Everyone tells you that, but until you really experience it and you are sleepless… you haven’t got this.”
Sharapova and her fiancé Alexander Gilkes became parents in July last year. Their baby boy’s name is Theodore, but he has many nicknames, including Theo and T-Rex.
Happy birthday, Maria Sharapova, and congratulations on your first year as a mom!
