Sharapova reveals her thoughts on moving to America as a child

Although she retired earlier this year, former WTA No.1 Maria Sharapova still looks back on her humble beginnings and the setbacks she experienced early in her illustrious career.

The five-time Grand Slam champion spoke with Naked Cashmere in an Instagram Live interview, and reflected on the struggles she dealt with when she first moved to the United States at the young age of seven.

“I was kind of like the odd one out,” Sharapova revealed. “But from a young girl’s perspective it was really exciting I didn’t speak much English I knew a few words I had a tutor, and I learned very fast because I was surrounded by kids at a tennis academy.”

Admitting that language was not much of a barrier, the former Wimbledon champion disclosed that she felt homesick most of the time.

“I picked up English so fast but I miss my mom you know I miss my friends I miss my home and but what I did love about America was I right away understood what opportunity was and the coaches and the talent that was there they pushed me to be a better player,” added Sharapova.

Nonetheless, she stated that her family was very supportive and they all worked together to mold her into one of the world's best tennis players.

“It was very scary, and there was a lot of fear in the family,” the 33-year-old admitted. “ But we were doing it because a lot of people noticed that I was talented from a young age and they encouraged my father to keep progressing that talent and to keep working at it because talent wasn’t enough.”