Tennis

full name:

Maria Sharapova

bio:

She started hitting tennis balls at age four. At age 9 she began training at Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida, USA - a big commitment and sacrifice as she was away from her family and country at such a young age. This sacrifice is now paying dividends with success on and off the tennis court.

also known as:

swimsuit model

family:

Yuri and Yelena Sharapov

born:

April 19, 1987 in Nyagan, Russia (Siberian Region)

physical attributes:

Height: 6'2
Weight: 130 lbs. (59 kg)
Plays right-handed

sport:

Tennis

rep. country:

Russia

lives:

Bradenton, Florida, USA

coach:

her father Yuri Sharapov and Robert Lansdorp

achievements:

CAREER TITLES

Singles
2003: Tokyo & Quebec City
2004: Birmingham, Wimbledon, Seoul, Tokyo & WTA Championships
2005: Tokyo, Doha & Birmingham
2006: Indian Wells

Doubles
2003: Tokyo, Luxembourg
2004: Birmingham

BEST GRAND SLAM PERFORMANCES

Australian Open: Semis
Roland Garros: Quarters
Wimbledon: Champion
US Open: Semis

what you may not know:

• At six years of age she participated in exhibition in Moscow that featured Martina Navratilova
  
• Her off-court interests include fashion, singing, dancing and movies (favorites are Mona Lisa Smile, Something's Gotta Give and Love Actually).
  
• She enjoys reading books in the Sherlock Holmes and Pippi Longstocking series.
  
• She prefers Russian and Thai cuisine
  
• Her favorite dessert is French crepes with Nutella.
  
• Her favorite drinks are orangina and virgin strawberry daiquiris
  
• She signed with IMG Models in November 2003