Maria Sharapova Gives Interesting Reason Behind her Tennis Retirement

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova spoke about various aspects of her tennis career on the YouTube talk show - Hot Ones.

Maria Sharapova Gives Interesting Reason Behind her Tennis Retirement

Maria Sharapova (image via Hot Ones)

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Maria Sharapova recently appeared as a guest on the popular YouTube talk show ‘Hot Ones’. The show involves celebrities being interviewed by co-creator Sean Evans over a platter of progressively spicy chicken wings.

Evans asked Sharapova, now an ‘international gourmand’, how she looked back on her lonely meals of white rice and grilled chicken that defined her playing days. Sharapova hilariously replied:

I think that’s one of the reasons I quit the sport (laughs). There was nothing else to do but sit in an empty game room or locker room, in front of a white plate covered with aluminum foil, wondering, What’s in there? It was always the same thing: steamed white rice with a little salt, super dry chicken, and some steamed carrots. Honestly, I’d rather eat ten super spicy chicken wings than have to eat that kind of meal again!

Sharapova has had an illustrious tennis career, clinching 36 WTA titles, including five Grand Slam titles. Sharapova is one of 10 women to complete the career Grand Slam in singles. Her career was, however, marred by a doping scandal for which she faced a 15-month suspension. She returned to tour in 2017 and won one title since returning, i.e., the 2017 Tianjin Open.

As a wildcard at the 2020 Australian Open, Sharapova lost in straight sets to Donna Vekic in the opening round. This marked the Russian’s third consecutive first-round loss at a Grand Slam. The defeat to Vekic in Melbourne would prove to be the final match of Sharapova’s career, as in February that year, at the age of 32, she announced her retirement from the sport.

Maria Sharapova spoke about a match that encapsulates why she loves tennis

On the show Hot Ones, Maria Sharapova was also asked if there is a match that she thinks encapsulates why she loves the sport of tennis. Sharapova picked her first Grand Slam final:

I would say the first Grand Slam final is ultimately the most memorable match in my career. It came at a very young age; I was 17 years old, and it was in London at Wimbledon. The whole world was watching, and I was playing against Serena Williams, and everything it felt like I should have just been happy to be there…

Maria Sharapova Serena Williams 2004 WImbledon
Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams (image via The Times)

In just her second appearance at the 2004 Wimbledon Championships, a 17-year-old Sharapova reached her maiden Grand Slam final. She dethroned two-time defending champion Serena Williams with a 6-1, 6-4 victory to clinch the Wimbledon title. Sharapova further added about the experience:

But I was so fearless, I loved the occasion and everything about it. I loved the quiet moments and the English crowd. I loved the strawberries and cream before every match I had, even though I was not supposed to eat the cream! But it is always the memory which comes to mind because I least expected it to come then, and I was so tough. I went for it.

Sharapova would go on to defeat Williams again that year, taking a 2-1 lead in the head-to-head against the American. However, the rivalry between Williams and Sharapova became completely one-sided after that.

After facing defeat in two of the first three matches against Sharapova, Williams went on to win their next 19 consecutive meetings, including two Grand Slam finals and the 2012 London Olympic final. All except three of these 19 wins were straight-set victories. Sharapova’s other four Grand Slam titles came at the 2006 US Open, the 2008 Australian Open, and the 2012 and 2014 Roland Garros.

Also Read: “Now we get to reflect and have a good laugh,” Maria Sharapova on her friendship with Serena Williams