Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon at 17 years old and went on to win five Grand Slam titles. Then she retired from tennis and dove into the business world in a way that wasn't just putting her name on products. She actually builds things.
She was born in Nyagan, Russia, started playing tennis at four, and her family moved to the United States when she was young so she could train in Florida. She turned pro in 2001 and by 2004 she was a Wimbledon champion. She went on to win the US Open, the Australian Open, and the French Open twice. At her peak she was the world number one and one of the highest-paid female athletes in history, with massive endorsement deals from Nike, Head, and others.
Her career had controversy too. She tested positive for meldonium in 2016 and served a 15-month suspension. She's been open about it and came back to compete before eventually retiring in 2020.
After tennis, Sharapova launched Sugarpova, a candy line that she was hands-on with from the start. It wasn't a typical athlete brand deal where someone just licenses their name. She was involved in product development, branding, and distribution. She's also gotten into venture investing and sits on boards.
On Shark Tank as a guest shark, she brings the perspective of someone who built a personal brand at the highest level and then transitioned that into business. She understands endorsements, licensing, and what it actually takes to turn athletic fame into a sustainable business career after the sport is over.
Career highlights:
- Five Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon, US Open, Australian Open, French Open x2)
- Former world number one in women's tennis
- Founded Sugarpova candy brand
- Transitioned from athletic career to business and investing