Maria started hitting tennis balls at the age of four. At the age of six, Maria Sharapova participated in a exhibition in Moscow that featured Martina Navratilova. So, at the age of nine, she began training at Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy located in Bradenton, Florida, USA. Therefore, during those two years, she was separated from her mother for two year due to visa restrictions and finances. Maria occasionally travels with her father and works with tennis coach managers Michael Baroch and Robert Lansdorp. During her leisure time off court, Maria's interest includes modeling in fashion, singing, jazz dancing and movies (Pearl Harbor). Maria enjoys reading books of her interest in the "Sherlock Holmes" and "Pippi Longstocking" collection series. Basically, Maria's favorite dessert is 'anything'. Maria favors Russian music and food, but except for Italian bread.


2004 women's Wimbledon champion. Defeated two-time defending champion Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4. She was (and still is) so ambidextrous that she almost became a left-handed tennis player. Her loudest grunt was measured at 101.2 decibels (louder than a motorcycle or a lawnmower) on 21 June 2005 at Wimbledon Centre Court. Previously the loudest grunt was by Monica Seles at 93.2 decibels. Became number 1 in the world in August 2005 & is the first Russian player to become the best player in the world Named #19 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005) Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2005. Named #8 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006). In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated her earnings for the year at $23 million. October 2009, won the "Pan Pacific Open" in Tokyo.