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Maria Sharapova: Age, Career Timeline, and Verified Facts

Maria Yuryevna Sharapova was born on 19 April 1987 in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. As of 2026, she is 39 years old. Sharapova turned professional in 2001 and reached worl...

Mara Ellison
Maria Sharapova: Age, Career Timeline, and Verified Facts

How old is Maria Sharapova in 2026

Maria Yuryevna Sharapova was born on 19 April 1987 in Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. As of 2026, she is 39 years old. Sharapova turned professional in 2001 and reached world No.1 in both singles and doubles, holding the top ranking in singles for 21 consecutive weeks. She is a five-time Grand Slam singles champion: the 2004 Wimbledon title, the 2006 and 2008 US Open titles, the 2008 Australian Open, and the 2014 French Open. This profile provides verified timelines, records, and status clarifications intended for long-term reference.

Verified biographical timeline

The following table summarizes key, source-backed milestones in Sharapova’s career and public status. Dates and achievements are drawn from official tennis records and reputable databases.

AttributeVerified DetailSource Type
Date of birth19 April 1987Official WTA/ITF records
World No.1 (singles)22 August 2005WTA rankings archives
Grand Slam singles titles5 (2004 Wimbledon; 2006 & 2008 US Open; 2008 Australian Open; 2014 French Open)Tournament records
Prize money (career)Over $38 million (official WTA career earnings as of 2024)WTA financial reports
Current competitive statusInactive since 2020; final professional match at the 2020 French OpenWTA announcements
Residence originsBorn in Nyagan, Russia; trained in Moscow and Bradenton, FloridaBiographical sources and interviews

Key definitions and roles

Understanding Sharapova’s career requires clarity on roles and terms common to professional tennis. Her on-court responsibilities and public roles evolved over time.

Player roles and on-court functions

Sharapova was primarily an aggressive baseline player, known for her powerful groundstrokes, particularly her two-handed backhand. She served as a major singles competitor and, at times, doubles specialist, competing in Grand Slam doubles events and team competitions such as the Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup).

Off-court roles and public functions

Beyond playing, Sharapova engaged in brand and business roles as a founder and spokesperson for her own candy brand, SugarPURE, and worked as a commentator and advocate for health and wellness. She also served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, emphasizing her outreach beyond sport.

Grand Slam performance breakdown

Sharapova’s Grand Slam record is a central part of her legacy. Performance varied by tournament surface and stage of her career, with notable patterns in finals and semifinals appearances.

Grand SlamSingles titlesFinals reachedSemifinals reachedBest year-end ranking
Australian Open1 (2008)2 (2008, 2009)3No.2 (2009)
French Open1 (2014)2 (2007, 2014)4No.2 (2012)
Wimbledon1 (2004)2 (2004, 2011)3No.2 (2005)
US Open2 (2006, 2008)3 (2006, 2008, 2019)5No.2 (2006, 2007)

Status clarification and common questions

Because Sharapova has not competed since 2020, questions about her age and current involvement are common. This section clarifies status and frequently referenced attributes.

  • Is Maria Sharapova still playing tennis competitively? No. Her last professional match was at the 2020 French Open. She has not competed on the WTA tour since and has not indicated a return to professional play.
  • How old was Sharapova when she reached world No.1? She first reached world No.1 on 22 August 2005 at age 18 years, 4 months.
  • Does she still appear in media or endorsements? She remains visible in select brand partnerships, media commentary, and social platforms, though she has not played professionally for several years.
  • What is her prize money as of the latest official records? Career prize money exceeds $38 million according to WTA records reported through 2024.
  • Has she commented on retirement officially? Sharapova has described her competitive chapter as complete and has focused on business, advocacy, and family since 2020.

Comparative context and records

Sharapova’s achievements are notable within the broader history of women’s tennis. Her five Grand Slam singles titles place her among an elite group, while her sustained top-10 presence demonstrates consistency over more than a decade at the highest level.

MetricValueContext
Grand Slam singles titles5Tied for 7th in Open Era women’s singles titles
Weeks at world No.121Shared top ranking milestone across multiple players
Year-end top 10 finishes12Demonstrates sustained elite performance
Career prize moneyOver $38 millionAmong the leaders for women’s tennis earnings to date

Frequently referenced attributes

Certain attributes of Sharapova are consistently referenced in biographies, databases, and media. These points help summarize her profile for long-term reference.

AttributeValueNotes
Full nameMaria Yuryevna SharapovaRussian name format
Date of birth19 April 1987Publicly confirmed
CountryRussia (formerly Soviet Union)Represented Russia throughout career
Playing handRight-handed (two-handed backhand)Identifying stylistic trait
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)Listed on official WTA profile

Summary and closing notes

Maria Sharapova remains one of the most recognizable figures in tennis history. Her age is 39 as of 2026, based on her birthdate of 19 April 1987. Her achievements include five Grand Slam singles titles, 21 weeks at world No.1, and career earnings exceeding $38 million. She has not competed professionally since 2020 and is active in business and advocacy. This profile is structured for durability and clarity, relying on verifiable records and consistent contextual details.

Tags: tennis, maria-sharapova, wta

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