"Proud I made enough money to provide for my family" says Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova has been in the spotlight for a long time with the Russian bursting onto the tennis scene as a teenager. She became world number one at age 18 which came after her sensational triumph at Wimbledon in 2004. The Russian went on to win 5 grand slam titles as well as 36 trophies overall. Her career earnings are north of 38 million which places her 3rd on the all-time women's list.

Money like that was life-changing for Sharapova who comes from a modest background and recalling those times she said:

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"It wasn't like I thought about money in that way, I thought about accessibility. Looking back at that now, I am incredibly proud that I have been able to provide for myself and my family."

All Sharapova wanted for her and her family was stability:

"It is an accomplishment, but it is a sense of safety, right? It is a sense of I know that I can take care of their health, I can make them happy, and that they're going to be okay."

Since stopping tennis Sharapova has been active in the business world looking to extend her portfolio.