Maria Sharapova: Biography, Net Worth, Doping Ban & Life

Few teenage tennis players have announced themselves as dramatically as Maria Sharapova did in 2004, when she beat Serena Williams at Wimbledon at age 17. That set the stage for a career with five Grand Slam titles, a stretch as the world’s highest-paid female athlete, and a doping ban that tested her legacy.

Born: April 19, 1987 ·
Grand Slam Titles: 5 ·
Career Prize Money: Over $28 million ·
Net Worth: Estimated $200 million ·
Children: 1 son

Nine key facts about Sharapova at a glance, from her professional debut to her Hall of Fame recognition.

How many children does Maria Sharapova have?

Sharapova has one son, Theodore, born in July 2022. She announced her pregnancy on April 19, 2022, according to the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong-based news outlet). The child’s father is British businessman Alexander Gilkes, her fiancé since December 2020.

Does Maria Sharapova have a son?

• Yes. Theodore was born on July 1, 2022, reported the Times of India (Indian daily).
• Sharapova has kept her son’s life largely private, sharing few photos or details publicly.

What is the name of Maria Sharapova’s child?

• Theodore. The name was confirmed by multiple sources, including the Times of India.
• She has not publicly shared a middle name or additional details about his upbringing.

What happened to Maria Sharapova?

Sharapova’s career followed a dramatic arc that most fans know in broad strokes — early dominance, a doping scandal that sidelined her, a brief comeback, and then retirement at age 32. But the full story reveals a pattern: every time the tennis world counted her out, she found a way back. The WTA (governing body of women’s tennis) noted that she is one of only seven women in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam.

Why did Maria Sharapova retire?

• She announced her retirement on February 26, 2020, via an essay in Vanity Fair.
• According to ABC News (Australian public broadcaster), she had not been near her best since returning from a 15-month ban in 2017.
• Her career record was 645-171, a .790 winning percentage, per the WTA.

What was the doping scandal?

• Sharapova tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.
• According to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), the drug had been added to the banned list on January 1, 2016.
• She claimed she had taken it for medical reasons and was unaware of the ban.
• The International Tennis Federation initially suspended her for two years, later reduced to 15 months on appeal.

How did her career end?

• After returning in 2017, she played three more seasons but never recaptured her peak form.
• In 2020, she walked away from tennis with 36 WTA Tour-level titles, per the WTA.

What did Maria Sharapova test positive for?

Meldonium — a heart medication originally developed in Latvia to treat ischemia. It was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list on January 1, 2016. Sharapova tested positive for it at the Australian Open that January, setting off a firestorm in the tennis world.

What is meldonium?

• A prescription drug used to treat heart conditions by improving blood flow.
• WADA banned it because it can enhance athletic performance by increasing endurance and recovery time.
• Several Eastern European athletes were also caught using it after the ban took effect.

How long was Sharapova banned?

• Initially two years, then reduced to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
• She returned to competition in April 2017, according to ABC News.

Why did the tennis world react so strongly?

• She was one of the sport’s biggest stars and had been a vocal advocate for clean sport.
• Some praised her honesty in admitting the mistake; others felt she should have been more diligent.
• Serena Williams said Sharapova “handled it as best as she could.”

Is Maria Sharapova still married?

Sharapova has never been married. She has been in a long-term relationship with British businessman Alexander Gilkes since 2018, and they became engaged in December 2020. They have a son together but are not legally married.

Was Maria Sharapova ever married?

• No. She was formerly engaged to NBA player Sasha Vujačić from 2010 to 2012, but they never married.
• She has not had any other publicly confirmed engagements or marriages.

Who is Maria Sharapova’s partner?

• Alexander Gilkes, a British businessman and former auctioneer at Paddle8.
• According to Wikipedia, he is a co-founder of the online auction platform.
• The couple announced their engagement on December 17, 2020, per Wikipedia.

Does Maria Sharapova have a husband?

• No. She is engaged but not married.

Who is the richest lady tennis player?

As of 2025, Serena Williams holds the title of the richest female tennis player with an estimated net worth of $340 million. Sharapova ranks second at roughly $200 million, according to published estimates. But the gap between them on the court was far narrower than the gap in endorsement earnings — and Sharapova actually topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid female athletes for 11 straight years from 2004 to 2015.

How does Maria Sharapova’s net worth compare?

• Sharapova’s net worth: estimated at $200 million, largely from endorsements and Sugarpova.
• Serena Williams: estimated $340 million, from prize money, endorsements, and venture capital.
• Venus Williams: estimated $100 million.
• Naomi Osaka: estimated $80 million (before her maternity break).

Who earned more in endorsements?

• Sharapova earned an estimated $28 million in prize money, but her endorsement deals surpassed $300 million over her career.
• She had long-term partnerships with Nike, Tag Heuer, Porsche, and Evian.
• Sugarpova, her candy brand, added a significant revenue stream post-retirement.

Three women, three different wealth profiles — one pattern: the most money follows off-court business, not prize money alone.

Career timeline

• 1987: Born in Nyagan, Russia.
• 2001: Turned professional at age 14.
• 2004: Won Wimbledon, her first Grand Slam, at age 17 (ABC News).
• 2005: Became world No. 1 for the first time on August 22.
• 2006: Won US Open.
• 2008: Won Australian Open.
• 2012: Won French Open, completed career Grand Slam (WTA).
• 2014: Won her second French Open.
• 2016: Tested positive for meldonium at Australian Open; suspended.
• 2017: Returned to tennis after serving 15-month ban.
• 2020: Announced retirement from professional tennis on February 26.
• 2022: Gave birth to son Theodore on July 1.
• 2025: Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame (Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open).

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Quotes from those who know her

“I made a huge mistake. I let my team down, I let my fans down.”

— Maria Sharapova, speaking about her doping suspension in a 2017 interview

“I think she handled it as best as she could. It’s a tough situation for anyone.”

— Serena Williams, commenting on the doping controversy

“We are friends. That’s all. People like to create stories.”

— Novak Djokovic, on rumors that he and Sharapova dated

Summary

Maria Sharapova’s career is a case study in how elite athletes navigate fame, failure, and reinvention. She dominated the sport, served a doping ban that could have ended her legacy, and then built a second act as a businesswoman and mother. The implication for fans following her journey: Sharapova always found a way back — and the next chapter of her life remains unwritten.

For those wanting more details on Sharapovas career and ban details on Sharapova’s career and ban, the Quebec Journal provides an in-depth look at her journey from Wimbledon champion to businesswoman.

Frequently asked questions