Maria Sharapova Biography

Fast Facts

• A portion of sales from her company Sugarpova, a line of premium candies, go to her charity, the Maria Sharapova Foundation
• Became Russia's first female Wimbledon champion when she won the singles title in 2004
• Despite a shoulder injury that caused her to miss several matches, she ranked in the top 5 women's tennis players in 2007
• Was the 10th woman to complete the career Grand Slam, which involves winning all four major tennis competitions
• In addition to her own charity, she supports the United Nations Development Programme and launched a scholarship program for children affected by Chernobyl in Belarus
• Became a professional tennis player at the age of 14, winning the AIG Japan Open and reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2003
• Began playing tennis as a child in Russia and moved with her father to Florida to enroll in a tennis academy at the age of 9
• Best known as a professional tennis player and celebrity athlete
• In December 2012, she was the most followed athlete on Facebook, with 11 million fans
• Has had commercial endorsements from companies like Tiffany & Co․ and Nike