Maria Sharapova Recalls Favorite Olympics Memories After Enjoying Women’s Figure Skating

Maria Sharapova was in attendance at the ongoing 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. She saw 20-year-old figure skater Alysa Liu script history by becoming the first woman from America to win the gold medal in 24 years.

She also gave an interview to NBC News during which she was asked about her favorite Olympics memories. Sharapova also asked for the advice she would give on handling the huge spotlight while competing, saying it comes with a lot of training and a lot of mistakes. On her favorite Olympic memory, the former World No.1 said:

I think it goes back to being really young and watching… I had a… occasionally my parents would let me watch the TV, and my grandfather and I would watch the Olympics and the opening ceremony… I thought one day perhaps I could be an Olympian. It happened, I only competed once, but I have silver medal, and it’s one I really cherish.

Sharapova made just one Olympic appearance, at the 2012 London Games, where 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams dismantled her 6-0, 6-1 in the final.

So for us, it was really fun, but the Olympics happened at the Wimbledon venue. It was so fun to play at Wimbledon and then a few weeks later, see the transformation of the event and feel like, although you’re in the Wimbledon ground, the Olympic spirit and the energy was so different.

Maria Sharapova added

Last year, Sharapova, who retired in 2020, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. It was Williams who introduced the Russian in the induction ceremony. Apart from the five Grand Slam titles, Sharapova also made five more Major finals, losing thrice to Williams. Sharapova is one of the few women on the tour who completed the Career Grand Slam.

Coco Gauff surpasses Maria Sharapova after reaching the round of 16 of the Dubai Open

According to OptaAce, Coco Gauff, after making the round of 16 of the Dubai Open, surpassed Maria Sharapova‘s record. The five-time Grand Slam champion made the last 16 of the Tier I/WTA 1000 events 30 times.

Gauff has reached the round 31 times. In her third-round match in Dubai, the American ace came from a set down and saved three match points to defeat Elise Mertens.

Gauff then knocked out Alexandra Eala in the quarterfinals but couldn’t battle past Elina Svitolina in the semifinals. The 21-year-old made the last four of the Dubai event for the second time in her career (after 2023).

To be honest, I am speechless after that fight out there. I was playing like there was no tomorrow, just trying to put in all the effort. Thank you so much for all your support. It’s really special to be again in the final after a few years and to get that beautiful trophy.

Elina Svitolina said during the on-court interview

Prior to the second WTA 1000 event of the season, the two-time Grand Slam singles champion played the Qatar Open, where Elisabetta Cocciaretto knocked her out in the opening round. At the Australian Open, it was Svitolina who stopped her from progressing to the semifinals.

Svitolina has improved her head-to-head record over Gauff to 2-3. The Ukrainian ace, after making the Dubai final for the second time in her career, lost the title to Jessica Pegula. Svitolina clinched the Dubai title in 2017 by defeating Caroline Wozniacki and has so far added four WTA 1000 titles to her trophy cabinet. Gauff is the winner of three titles in this category, last winning it at the 2025 Wuhan Open.

Also read: Learner Tien Reveals Special Inspiration Behind Delray Beach Comeback Against Frances Tiafoe

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