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Former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova hung up her tennis boots on this day (February 26) three years ago, in 2020. At the time of bidding adieu to the sport, the Russian was 32 years of age and had already made an enormous impact on women's tennis.
On the occasion of its third anniversary, tennis fans reflected on Sharapova's glorious career, which spanned almost two decades.
The Russian broke into the news following her maiden Grand Slam singles win when she was just 17 years old. At the 2004 Wimbledon Championships, Sharapova beat tennis icon Serena Williams in the final. Subsequently, she also won the 2006 US Open, the 2008 Australian Open and the 2012 French Open to complete her Career Grand Slam.
Following a chronic shoulder injury and also a brief suspension due to doping charges, Sharapova eventually retired from the sport in 2020. Taking to social media on Sunday, tennis fans remembered her contribution to the sport and how her retirement affected them.
One Twitter user stated that Sharapova's retirement made them cry like never before.
"I have never cried that much like I cried 3 years ago."
A short thread on Twitter also boasted some of her fans talking about their favorite "Sharapova" moments.
"My first moment is Wimbledon 2004, I love her at first sight. Her games, her screaming, her ground stroke," one fan wrote.
Another fan pointed out Sharapova's never-say-die attitude as their favorite memory of her.
"Anytime she managed to comeback from those long months out due to injuries and prove she was still a fighter."
Here are a few more fan reactions:
A look back into Maria Sharapova's stunning tennis career
Maria Sharapova etched her name on the history books after winning her maiden Grand Slam title at just 17 years of age, that too beating Serena Williams in the final. During her career, besides winning five Grand Slam singles titles, Sharapova also won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics (falling to Williams in the final).
In her WTA Finals debut in 2004, the Russian beat Williams for the second time in her career to win the title. Sharapova attained the top ranking on the WTA Tour for the first time in 2005 and reached her last Grand Slam final at the 2015 Australian Open final, where she lost to Serena Williams.
In 2016, Maria Sharapova failed a drug test and was handed an initial two years ban, which was later reduced to 15 months. The former World No. 1 ended her career with 36 singles titles and three doubles trophies to her name.
