Australian Open winner dubbed ‘hottest athlete on the planet’ seems to be unrecognisable now

A former Australian Open champion has changed dramatically since her last victory in Melbourne almost 20 years ago

Maria Sharapova, once a global icon during her stellar tennis career, has undergone a significant transformation since hanging up her racket.

The 38-year-old first made waves in 2004 when she clinched an unexpected victory over Lindsay Davenport in the Wimbledon final at just 17. Her triumph at the All England Club was followed by winning the Tour Finals later that year, and she became the first Russian woman to reach world No. 1 in August 2005.

Sharapova went on to secure four more major titles, winning the US Open in 2006, the Australian Open in 2008, and the French Open in 2012 and 2014. Her Melbourne success came after nearly two years without a Grand Slam title, entering the tournament as an underdog.

After defeating former world No. 1 Davenport in the second round, Sharapova outplayed then-world No. 1 Justine Henin, ending the Belgian’s impressive 32-match win streak. A semi-final victory over Jelena Jankovic led to the ‘Grand Slam’ final against Ana Ivanovic, which Sharapova won in straight sets.

Beyond her prowess on the court, Sharapova achieved superstar status in broader society. In 2006, Maxim named the slender beauty ‘the hottest athlete in the world’ for four consecutive years.

Her blonde hair and 6ft 2in stature made her a recognisable figure worldwide, but since retiring from tennis in 2020, she’s embraced a new look for the next chapter of her life.

Sharapova, also known for her blonde locks, has been rocking a brunette look for several years now. Her appearances at high-profile events like Paris Fashion Week and the British Fashion Awards have given fans plenty of chances to admire her new style.

Since retiring from professional tennis, Sharapova has made a successful transition into the business world. In 2023, she joined the Board of Directors for Italian fashion label Moncler.

In addition to her role with Moncler, Sharapova also serves as an advisor to brands such as Naked Retail and Bright. She’s an active Instagram user, boasting over 4.7 million followers, where she shares updates on her latest ventures and her life as a mum.

Sharapova welcomed her son Theodore in July 2021. Her illustrious tennis career brought her immense wealth, earning £31m in prize money and raking in over £230m from lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals with big names like Nike, Tag Heuer, and Tiffany.

While she’s remained retired from tennis, Sharapova did make a brief return to the sporting world in 2024. She partnered with American tennis legend John McEnroe in his Pickleball tournament. However, they were bested by Steffi Graf and Andre Agassi at Pickleball Slam 2, missing out on the million-dollar prize.