Did Maria Sharapova Just Relive Her Worst Tennis Nightmare—Off the Court?

Maria Sharapova may be retired from professional tennis, but apparently, the trauma of missing a killer serve still haunts her—even from the comfort of the US Open stands. During the high-stakes semifinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Emma Navarro, cameras panned to Sharapova in a box seat, looking like she’d just double-faulted at match point in a Grand Slam final. Her reaction? A mix of pained confusion, unfiltered tension, and a jaw-clenching stare into the abyss. Naturally, the internet had a field day.

But Sharapova, forever the ace of witty comebacks, didn’t let the meme machine get the last word. She reposted the viral video with a caption only a former tennis queen could deliver: “POV: You’re 2nd serve returning and your coach is about to shout at you.” That self-roast was a mic drop.

Sharapova’s poker face—or lack thereof—sparked a meme frenzy on X (formerly Twitter), with fans relating her expression to everything from Monday morning Zoom calls to facing your ex at a wedding. It was peak viral energy. The once-ice-cold tennis star reminded us she’s just as human—and hilariously self-aware—as the rest of us.

Was she haunted by tennis ghosts? Was she bored by a long rally? Or was she just hangry? Whatever the case, Sharapova stole the show with a single glance—and proved she can still dominate headlines, no racket required.

Moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of a perfectly-timed camera cut and a relatable facial meltdown. Sharapova may not be chasing titles anymore, but she’s definitely still winning on the internet.