Caught Wearing Nike Again: Is Sharapova Rekindling Old Ties?

Hold the phone—Maria Sharapova was just spotted strutting out of a gym in full Nike gear. Yes, that Nike. The same brand that dumped her like a hot forehand in 2016 following her doping scandal. So what’s going on here? A fashion faux pas? A bold statement? Or… a low-key reunion in the works?

Let’s rewind: Sharapova had a £50 million deal with Nike—yes, fifty million. The tennis world was shook when the brand severed ties after her provisional suspension for testing positive for meldonium. While other sponsors cautiously returned, Nike held its ground. Until now?

Enter Exhibit A: Maria, cool as ever, leaving a workout in a Nike tank, leggings, and sneakers. The internet instantly lost it. Fans flooded the comments: “Is this a soft relaunch or a fashion revenge tour?” One snarky tweet read, “Guess we’re all forgiving now, huh?”

So, what’s the tea? Is Maria sending a message? After all, she’s not exactly unaware of optics. Every post, every brand, every outfit is curated to perfection. You don’t just “accidentally” wear the swoosh after a multimillion-dollar breakup.

Fashion insiders are whispering about a “discreet reconciliation.” Some even speculate a limited-edition line—”S by Sharapova” meets NikeCourt? Stranger things have happened.

Or maybe this is just Maria being Maria. Powerful. Unbothered. And fully aware that a single walk to the car in a pair of Nikes could dominate headlines.

After all, post-retirement Maria isn’t just a former tennis player. She’s a walking brand machine, with business acumen as sharp as her backhand. Whether this was a wardrobe coincidence or a calculated PR tease, one thing’s for sure: Maria’s still serving—just with sneakers instead of rackets.

If Nike wants her back, they better be ready to pay up. Because Sharapova doesn’t just return… she rebrands.