The story of a fighter

Maria Sharapova during the AO 2014 , Credit : Sports Ndtv.

She seemingly had nothing that would suggest she was destined to become one of the legends of our sport. Coming from a modest Belarusian family, relocated to Russia out of fear of the nuclear fallout from Chernobyl, young Maria was never meant to have a sports career, let alone becoming the first Russian player to reach the top of the tennis world.

Yet perhaps it was that very "destiny"—who knows—that would lead her at the age of 6, to exchange a few balls with Martina Navratilova , quickly charmed by the talent of a young  blond girl who had traveled to Moscow to attend an exhibition.

A look back at the career of one of the greatest icons of the WTA circuit, who, supported by her family, had courageously decided to leave everything behind and take a chance in the fierce world of women’s tennis.

Maria Sharapova winning the Us Open 2006, Credit : Us Open.

Legends abound of young players who had flawless paths, promised a beautiful fairy tale. Sharapova's story, however, is not one of them.

Deprived of her mother due to visa issues, young Maria trains far from home in the United States, financially supported by a father willing to take on underpaid jobs to fund his young star’s lessons at the prestigious IMG Academy.

A winning strategy, as "Masha's" talent caught the attention of renowned Nick Bollettieri, allowing her to join the academy,  securing the invaluable financial aid she needed.

In 2003,  Sharapova is excelling in top categories and her precocity already catches the attention of the media and sponsors from the tennis world. This time, it’s certain: nothing will stand in the way of the destiny of what is already becoming the new sensations of women’s tennis.

Maria Sharapova's first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon 2004, Credit : Eurosport.

«What a champion we found in 2004! »

While the WTA Tour was well aware of the extent of her talent, it never expected to see it blossom so early, and there's no doubt that Wimbledon 2004 will forever be remembered as one of the most surprising women's Grand Slams of the 2000s.

Seeded No. 13, the 17-year-old Russian overcame each and every title contender to win her first major tournament and become the new tennis media icon.

Powerful from the baseline and known for her loud shrieks while hitting the ball, the Sharapova storm made her way through the tennis world, conquering the US Open, the Australian Open, and dozens of WTA titles over the years, marked by her numerous battles with Serena Williams—still considered one of the greatest rivalries in the history of women’s tennis.

Speaking or rather writing about Sharapova without mentioning her resilience would be overlooking a large part of the career of a woman who was once severely hampered by physical problems.

Restrained by her ankle, which caused her problems on numerous occasions, Masha undoubtedly witnessed losing control of her career and her future over the course of several seasons.

Expected to shine at Roland Garros, the last major title missing from her trophy shelf, the former Olympic silver medalist would once again push her limits, returning to her best form and finally performing on the Parisian clay, achieving her most successful season in 2012.

Now working in fashion, another one of her passions, Sharapova has hung up her racket and seems to be living a true fairy tale, one that seemed once so far out of reach..