When Maria Sharapova stepped onto the red carpet at a recent fashion gala in Monte Carlo, jaws didn’t just drop—they practically hit the floor. The former tennis queen, known for her fierce baseline power and icy on-court composure, looked worlds away from the athlete who once ruled Wimbledon and out-screamed her opponents into submission. Dressed in a sleek, modern silhouette with barely a trace of her old sporty aesthetic, fans and fashion critics alike were left wondering: Is that really Maria Sharapova?
Yes, it is. And she’s owning her post-retirement era like it’s a Grand Slam final.
Since hanging up her racket in 2020, Sharapova has kept a relatively low profile—focusing on motherhood, building her business empire (hello, Sugarpova!), and showing up occasionally to bless the front rows of high-fashion events. But this latest appearance marks a striking shift. With her platinum blonde locks styled in soft waves and her features subtly transformed by time and perhaps a touch of Hollywood magic, the internet couldn’t stop buzzing about her new look.
Some fans were stunned, others delighted. “She’s unrecognisable, but in a goddess kind of way,” one user commented. Others simply said what everyone was thinking: “She looks nothing like the Maria we remember from Centre Court.”
But let’s be honest—Sharapova has always known how to reinvent herself. From teenage tennis prodigy to icy fashion icon, from fierce rivalries with Serena to business-savvy mogul, she’s been rewriting her narrative since day one. This latest transformation is just another chapter in the evolution of a woman who’s never been content with staying in one lane.
And if this rare appearance is anything to go by, Sharapova isn’t just thriving in retirement—she’s redefining what it means to leave sport behind. Gone are the tennis whites, replaced by couture. Gone is the warrior’s glare, replaced by a knowing, effortless smile. But the aura? Still intact. Still so Sharapova.
While she may be unrecognisable to some, one thing’s for sure: Maria knows exactly who she is. And whether she’s smashing forehands or fashion expectations, she remains one of the most fascinating figures in and out of sport. Retirement hasn’t dimmed her spotlight—it’s just given her a new stage. And once again, she’s owning every inch of it.