Wimbledon icon topped ‘hottest athlete on the planet’ flaunts determine in swimsuit snap
The former Wimbledon champion looks to be enjoying life with her English boyfriend
Maria Sharapova after winning Wimbldon in 2004(Image: Getty Images Sport)
A Wimbledon champion named the ‘hottest athlete in the world’ has delighted fans with a ravishing swimsuit snaps.
It’s been 22 years since Maria Sharapova won the ladies’ singles title at SW19 as a 17-year-old, beating Serena Williams in the final. She went on to win the three other Grand Slams, including the French Open twice.
The Russian beauty was a popular figure on and off the court and was crowned the ‘hottest athlete in the world’ four years in a row in the 2000s by lads’ mag Maxim. She retired from tennis in early 2020 at the age of 32 after battling chronic shoulder issues.
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Now 39, she remains as glamorous as ever and isn’t afraid to show off her stunning figure. During a recent holiday to the Dolomites in northern Italy with her English partner, businessman Alexander Gilkes, she shared pictures and videos, including one of her swimming in a private pool with breathtaking views.
The images caught the attention of many of her 4.7million Instragram followers, including former rival Williams, who quipped: “Where’s my invite?”
One fan said: “Lovely to see you Maria loved watching you play tennis. Enjoy your new life.” Another gushed: “You are absolutely amazing Maria, I am old enough to have watched and been privileged ur whole career, I love seeing your posts with ur new chapter after tennis.”
A third wrote: “Miss you on the tennis courts but looks like you are nice and relaxed. Enjoy yourself.” Another simply wrote: “Gorgeous.”
Sharapova’s career wasn’t without controversy. It is 10 years since he confirmed she had failed a drug test at the 2016 Australian Open after testing positive for meldonium, a substance she has been taking since 2006 for health issues.
“I did fail the test and take full responsibility for it,” said Sharapova, who served a 15-month ban from the sport, reduced from two years on appeal.
She returned to the sport in 2017 but could not repeat her previous glories and decided to hang up her racket three years later. In an article for Vogue and Vanity Fair, Sharapova said her body “had become a distraction” amid their injury problems.
She said: “I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis – I’m saying goodbye. Looking back now, I realize that tennis has been my mountain. My path has been filled with valleys and detours, but the views from its peak were incredible.
“After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, though, I’m ready to scale another mountain – to compete on a different type of terrain.”
