Maria Sharapova Retires From Tennis, Novak Djokovic Reacts

Maria Sharapova recently announced her retirement from tennis. She ends her career as one of the more iconic athletes to step on the court. She broke the news through her Vanity Fair essay. “I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis—I’m saying goodbye,” the Russian wrote.

The five-time Grand Slam winner has achieved so much in her career. She rose to fame in 2004 as a young 17-year-old who conquered the superstar Serena Williams in the Wimbledon Finals. She went on to fulfill a career Grand Slam, winning all four possible majors at least once. She won the US Open in 2006, Australian Open in 2008, and Roland Garros twice, one in 2012 and another in 2014.

Her successful career has put her into the spotlight, as she was the face of multiple endorsements. One of these included Head, her official tennis equipment. She is one of the main faces of the brand along with her counterpart in the men’s division 17-time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic reacted to the news by praising the career that Sharapova has written. “Her impact on the sport, not just women’s tennis, but men’s tennis, tennis in general, was great. It still is great. It’s going to keep on being present because her brand I think exceeds her tennis achievements,” said Novak Djokovic per Essential Sports.

Aside from being one of the more gifted tennis players in the world, Sharapova also has used her image for advocacy work. She has the Maria Sharapova Foundation that focuses on providing opportunities for children around the world.

To add to these, Djokovic also applauded Sharapova for being resilient throughout her career. With the controversy and injuries that hampered the Russian, she was still able to show up and compete. “For someone that has won five Grand Slams and has been No. 1 of the world, a legend of the sport, it’s not easy to kind of restart all over again. She has done that so many times in the last five years,” the Serbian said.

Djokovic and Sharapova share a friendship as endorsers of the same brand and as top athletes of the sport. Djokovic has made rounds online as being a jest and impersonating Sharapova on multiple occasions.