Name : Maria Sharapova
Birthdate : April 19, 1987
Birthplace : Nyagan, Russia (Siberian Region)
Height : 6' (1.83 m)
Weight : 130 lbs. (59 kg)
Nationality : Russia
Plays : Right-handed
Career Prize Money : $23,800
Best Known As : 17-year-old singles champion of Wimbledon 2004
Maria Sharapova Biography 2
Birth Date: April 19, 1987
Birth Place: Nyagan, Russia
Maria Sharapova was born on April 19, 1987 in Nyagan, a town in the Siberian region of Russia. In 1989, the family moved to the Black Sea resort town of Sochi.
When she was 4 years old, a chance encounter changed her life. She met with the father of tennis champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov, and the man gave her a racket. From that moment, she started hitting tennis balls. The game soon became a passion for her.
Maria Sharapova Trivia
In just 12 months Maria has become not only Wimbledon Champion & Winner of the WTA Tour Championships but the face of Women's tennis. With this she moves to a carrer high number 4 in the world rankings, also becomes the first champion from Russia & the only second player to win the title on her debut.
Maria Sharapova Detailed Biography
Sanex WTA Tour Singles Titles: 1
Sanex WTA Tour Doubles Titles: 2
Grand Slam Titles: 0
ITF Women's Circuit Singles tTitles: 4 singles
Career Win/Loss Record: 28-6
Maria Sharapova Biography 3:
Tennis star Maria Sharapova has a lot going for her. At only 18 years of age she has become the world's highest paid female athlete. Born in Nyagan, Russia, (in the Siberian region) on April 19, 1987, she began playing tennis at a very young age. By the time she was nine she had moved to Bradenton, Florida, (where she currently resides) to train at Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy. Aside from helping to hone Sharapova's skills, Bollettieri is also responsible for the success of many other tennis stars, such as Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, and Venus and Serena Williams.
Sharapova began climbing the ranks in the World Tennis Association (WTA), earning her first tournament title in Japan in 2003. Her crowning moment came in 2004, when she won Wimbledon at a mere 17 year of age, solidifying a consistent spot in the top five. Off the court she is known for her looks. She often takes modeling jobs and works on her endorsements, the likes of which include Motorola, Canon and Honda Japan. The attractive six-foot-tall blond often draws comparisons to fellow Russian tennis-pro-turned-model Anna Kournikova, but her skills on the court are what set the two apart.
In just the past two years she has become the poster child for women's tennis. Billboards promoting the sport feature giant images of Sharapova as "Maria Mania" sweeps the globe. She has become the top-draw in the sport, ushering in a new era of rising stars and helping to broaden the field after years of Williams sisters' dominance. 2005 finds Sharapova on pace to take in over $20 million, most of which will come from her endorsements--the most recent a three-year $6 million deal with Colgate-Palmolive. But it is tennis where her focus lies. She carries with her a streak of 17 straight wins on grass heading into Wimbledon 2005, where she will defend her 2004 championship at the prestigious event.
Maria Sharapova
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Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova
Maria Sharapova - Maria in Asia
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