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Maria Sharapova called it a day on her professional tennis career last evening with a heartfelt essay for Vanity Fair.
Sharapova had fallen to No. 373 in the WTA rankings post her first round defeat at the 2020 Australian Open. But given how well she had performed in the first half of her career, that was not a true reflection of her abilities.
The Russian star had clinched the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, and she even held the World No. 1 ranking for 21 weeks. Sharapova is also the only Russian player to have completed the Career Grand Slam.
She won five Majors in her career, and here's a look at each of her Grand Slam title wins:
Wimbledon - 2004
Sharapova captured the attention of the tennis universe by winning Wimbledon in the year 2004.
Aged 17 and seeded No. 13, Sharapova didn't drop a single set in the first four rounds. She faced the 11th seeded Ai Sugiyama from Japan in the quarterfinals. The upcoming star dispatched her higher ranked opponent 5-7, 7-5, 6-1 to set up a semifinal battle with fifth seed Lindsay Davenport.
Just like the quarterfinals Sharapova dropped the first set, but again came back to win the match in three.
She locked horns with the top seed Serena Williams in the grand finale. In what was the start of a long-running rivalry, Sharapova thrashed the American 6-1, 6-4 to lift her maiden Grand Slam trophy.
US Open - 2006
After winning Wimbledon in 2004, the Russian failed to win a single Slam in 2005. In 2006 it seemed like she would end another year without a Major to her name, but Sharapova defied the expectations at Flushing Meadows to win the US Open.
Holding the third seed in the competition, Sharapova overcame the likes of Li Na and Elena Likhovtseva to reach the quarterfinals. She dispatched 27th seed Tatiana Golovin in the final eight but in the semifinals a tough test awaited her - number one seed Amelie Mauresmo.
Much to the surprise of everyone, Sharapova blanked Mauresmo in the first and third sets to win the match 6-0, 4-6, 6-0. She then beat the second seed Justine Henin in straight sets to lift the trophy.
Australian Open - 2008
Sharapova entered the 2008 Australian Open as the fifth seed. She battered World No. 1 Justine Henin once again, but this time in the quarterfinals. Sharapova beat her 6-4, 6-0 to progress to the semis.
In the final four, she met third seed Jelena Jankovic. The Serb proved to be no match for Sharapova as the 2006 US Open winner won the match 6-3, 6-1.
The Russian continued her golden run in the final to overcome a tough challenge from Ana Ivanovic and win her first Australian Open title.
French Open - 2012
After Sharapova won Wimbledon, US Open and the Australian Open, her fans eagerly awaited her triumph at Roland Garros. She finally rewarded their wait with a rollicking performance at the 2012 French Open.
Sharapova held the second seed in this event, and dropped just five games in the first three rounds. Klara Zakopalova tested her skills in the fourth round, but Sharapova won that match in three sets.
The Russian defeated Kaia Kanepi 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. She continued her fine form in the next two matches, beating Petra Kvitova and Sara Errani to put her hands on the French Open trophy.
French Open - 2014
In what proved to be the final Slam victory of Sharapova's career, the Russian tennis ace stood tall in Paris again - two years after completing her Career Grand Slam.
She entered the 2014 French Open as the seventh seed. Unlike the 2012 tournament, Sharapova's skills were tested in most of her matches this time.
Garbine Muguruza, Eugenie Bouchard and Simona Halep all stretched her to three sets before bowing down to the Russian superstar.
