"I’ve had to stand up for myself many times": Sharapova remarks on being shunned for taking endorsements initially as a tennis player
WTAMonday, 04 September 2023 at 09:30
Former world number one Maria Sharapova has revealed the
struggles she had while becoming more than just a tennis player.
The 36-year-old achieved success both on and off the court,
which is not that common in the world of tennis.
Sharapova was quoted in a report where she stated that she struggled during the early days when she wanted to be known as more than
just a tennis player.
"When I gained success at a young age, I was genuinely
surprised by how much interest there was in my life in every single lane,” she said.
“I’ve had to stand up for myself many times. It wasn’t popular to be more than
just a tennis player — to be interested in fashion, to have your own line.
You’re in this sandbox, and you’re not allowed to play with anything else.”
Sharapova ended her illustrious career in 2020 after playing
at the highest level for more than a decade.
During her career, she ended up winning five Grand Slams. She
also became the world number one in August 2005.
Her most successful competition was the French Open where
she won the title two times, in 2012 when she defeated Italy’s Sara Errani in
the final with a score of 6-3, 6-2 and two years later in 2014 when she got the
better of Romania’s Simona Halep with a score of 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–4.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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