Classic Photos of Maria Sharapova

SI Staff | Jun 7, 2014

Classic Photos of Maria Sharapova /

Classic Photos of Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova returns a shot in her first round match against Johanna Konta at the 2015 Wimbledon tournament.

Maria Sharapova drops in at Porsche Mayfair to go for a spin in the UK's only brand new Porsche Boxster Spyder, on her way to the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party at Kensington Roof Gardens in London.

Maria Sharapova enjoys her free time in Acapulco while in town for the Abierto Mexicano Telcel Tennis Tournament.

Maria Sharapova poses for a creative shot in Acapulco.

Evian launches the new reality show #wimblewatch with Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon.

Maria Sharapova attends the Haute Living Cover Release Party.

Maria Sharapova on her way to the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party at Kensington Roof Gardens in London.

Maria Sharapova in London.

Maria Sharapova poses with a red nose to support the Association Theodora fund event.

Maria Sharapova poses for a selfie with Miriam Nervo and Olivia Nervo before the Australian Open.

Maria Sharapova gets up close with Sinnamon, a koala from Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, on Jan. 7, 2015.

Sharapova and Rafael Nadal returned to Paris this year to defend their 2012 French Open singles titles.

Sharapova poses at the Sugarpova stand during the Mutua Madrid Open tournament in May 2013.

Sharapova poses with the winners trophy after defeating Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during the singles final of the BNP Paribas Open.

Sharapova sign autographs at the BNP Paribas Open, which she won to solidify her No. 3 standing in the world rankings.

Sharapova during a promotion of her new candy line "Sugarpova" in the Village area of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Well, Calif.

Sharapova during her 7-5, 6-3 defeat of Carla Suarez Navarro during the BNP Paribas Open.

Sharapova waits for serve during a match against Carla Suarez Navarro during the BNP Paribas Open.

Sharapova and Serena Williams after the final of the Sony Open. Williams won 4-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Sharapova during Day 3 of the Australian Open.

Sharapova launched her new brand 'Sugarpova' in Melbourne, Australia, in January.

Sharapova with her French Open trophy.

Maria Sharapova goes full-extension for this backhand lob during the semifinals of the 2012 French Open at Roland Garros. She went on to claim her first French Open title, which was the last of the four major championships for her.

With the trademark red clay of the French Open underneath her, Sharapova smashes a powerful serve in 2011.

Ian Gavan/Getty Images for Sony Ericsson

Sharapova attends the pre-Wimbledon party at the Kensington Roof Gardens on June 17, 2010, in London.

WTA tour players (left to right) Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic pose at the Sony Ericsson pre-Wimbledon party at the Kensington Roof Gardens.

Maria is pictured with the United Nations Ambassadors at the U.N. in New York on Feb. 14, 2007. From left to right -- Belarus Ambassador Andrei Dapkiunas, Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin and Ukraine's Deputy Ambassador Viktor Kryzhanivskyi. Sharapova was introduced as Goodwill Ambassador to UNDP and the UNDP Chernobyl Projects, to which she pledged $100,000.

Sharapova was all smiles after knocking off No. 1 ranked Amelie Mauresmo 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 in the semifinals at the 2006 U.S. Open. She followed that up with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over second-seeded Justine Henin to claim her second Grand Slam title. The 19-year-old finished the year ranked No. 2 in the world.

With the gorgeous Turks and Caicos beach all around her, Sharapova gazes into the camera for the 2006 edition of the SI Swimsuit issue.

Sharapova models for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition of 2006.

Sharapova has won over $36 million in prize money, ranking 2nd all-time among female tennis players.

After missing almost the entire clay court season due to injury, Sharapova returned in time for the 2006 French Open. Despite struggling to get through the first round, Sharapova recovered to advance to the fourth round before losing to Dinara Safina 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.

Sharapova models for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition of 2006.

Sharapova traipses through the surf during her photo shoot for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She was the only athlete to pose for the 2006 Swimsuit Issue.

Sharapova serves against Kim Clijsters in Madrid at the WTA Championships in November 2006.

Theo Wargo/WireImage for London Misher PR

The Sharapova tennis cake was made for her 18th birthday, which was sponsored by Motorola at the Hiro Ballroom in New York City.

In a rare visit back to her home country of Russia, Sharapova poses at a reception before the Kremlin Cup. Sharapova was 18 and the world's No. 1 player at the time.

Michael J. LeBrecht II/1Deuce3 Photography

Shortly after winning her first grand slam (Wimbledon) as a 17-year old, Sharapova did her media tours around New York City, including Live! With Regis and Kelly .

Sharapova isn't too shy to hold the monkey, embrace her new fame and smile for the cameras backstage.

As a guest of Matt Lauer and the Today show, Sharapova talks about her teenage success.

Sharapova looks at her Sports Illustrated cover while backstage.

Sharapova entered the top 10 of the WTA rankings in 2004 after defeating top-ranked Serena Williams in the final at Wimbledon, her first Grand Slam title. With the victory, she became the third-youngest woman to win Wimbledon. Sharapova capped off a breakthrough year with another win over Williams in the final of the WTA Tour Championships.

During MTV's Total Request Live in the Time Square Studios, Sharapova plays Table Tennis.

A 15-year-old Sharapova poses during a photo shoot in Indian Wells, Calif.

Sharapova lays out on a carpet of tennis balls before playing in Indian Wells.

Another pose by the 15-year old Sharapova.

Sharapova returns a ball during training before the Indian Wells tournament.

Six months before her first career championship at Wimbledon, Sharapova takes on the competition at the Australian Open.

Sharapova holds the runner-up trophy after the junior girls singles final at the Australian Open. She fell 6-0, 7-5 to Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic.

Maria Sharapova has won five Grand Slams since debuting in 2001, including the 2014 French Open. Here are some rare photos of Sharapova.

Published Jun 7, 2014

SI STAFF