Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova is now engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes. On Thursday, the 33-year old Russian tennis legend took to social media, to share this news with her followers. She has been dating the British millionaire since 2018. This year in February, Sharapova retired from professional tennis, hanging her boots after playing for 15 years.
Sharing pictures and videos on Instagram, Sharapova wrote, "I said yes from the first day we met. This was our little secret, wasn’t it."
Gilkes is the founder of Paddle8, an online auction house, wherein Sharapova has turned to entrepreneurship with her candy brand Sugarpova. Back in February when she had announced her retirement, Gilkes had shared a photo of Sharapova on Instagram, writing, "To the kindest and most professional person I know, here is to you Maria, and all that awaits you in your next chapter! May you continue to inspire us all with your deep humility, self-deprecation, strength and focus. As a remarkable first chapter closes with so many extraordinary fetes, we look forward to all that you will accomplish with equal grit in the years to come. Proudly and lovingly."
Also Read: Please Forgive Me. Tennis: Maria Sharapova Calls It Quits
A former world No 1, Sharapova had been dealing with shoulder problems for years before she announced her retirement at the age of 32. While repeated injuries were the main factor behind her decisions, she also revealed how a defeat against Serena Williams at the Australian Open 2020 was a sign for her to call it a quits. “I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis – I’m saying goodbye,” she had said.
Also Read: 83-Yr-Old Granny Is A Tennis Champ
Sharapova rose to fame in 2004 when she clinched a Grand Slam title in Wimbledon at the age of 17. Later, she went on to win the French Open twice as well as both the Australian and French Open. She stood tall as one of just 10 women to have achieved a career Grand Slam. She won her fifth Grand Slam title after defeating Simona Halep in the finals of the French Open in 2014. After that, she was barred from the tennis court due to a doping ban. The 32-year-old made a comeback after an 18-month drug ban in 2017. Here are some fascinating facts about the tennis star.
Feature Image Credit: tennisworldusa.org
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