Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, winner of five Grand Slam tournaments, announced her retirement, in a column published by fashion magazines Vogue and Vanity Fair.
“Tennis – I say goodbye”, writes the 32-year-old Russian. “After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, I am ready to climb another mountain on a different terrain,” added the athlete, who became world number one, whose career was tainted by a fifteen-month suspension for doping in 2016 .
The Russian, who fell to 373 in the world rankings, had four consecutive defeats, including eliminations in the first rounds of the 2019 US Open against Serena Williams and the 2020 Australian Open against the Croatian Donna Vekic, her last match.
“Throughout my career, ‘is it worth it?’ it was never a question. Lately that question was permanent, “writes the Russian, who has been diminished by injuries in recent years.
The Russian is one of the few players to have won all four Grand Slam tournaments, having won at Wimbledon in 2004, at the US Open in 2006, at the Australian Open in 2008 and at Roland-Garros twice, in 2012. and in 2014. AFP