Maria Sharapova is showing no signs of slowing down—even in retirement. The five-time Grand Slam champion, now 39, set Instagram ablaze this week with a stunning red one-piece swimsuit photo that has fans buzzing.
Sharapova kicked off her Thursday by posting a series of poolside snapshots, including one where she’s mid-jump into the water. The vibrant red swimsuit, a bold contrast to the blue pool, drew immediate praise from followers. “You’re a perfect woman in this world,” one fan wrote. Another chimed in, “Just a cool lady in red.” A third simply said, “Wow beauty.”
The Russian tennis icon, who dominated the WTA Tour for nearly two decades, has long been known for her style both on and off the court. She famously posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 2006, becoming one of the first tennis stars to grace its pages. That move helped pave the way for other tennis players like Serena Williams, Genie Bouchard, Naomi Osaka, and Caroline Wozniacki to follow suit. In a 2023 interview, Sharapova reflected on her approach to endorsements: “If it’s fashion you’re interested in, if it’s technology or if it’s a particular value or people that you just find are interesting, that’s what you go for.”
But Sharapova’s latest post isn’t just about looks. It comes as she continues to build her post-tennis empire. Earlier this year, she launched the podcast “Pretty Tough” with Vox Media, focusing on female ambition and the pursuit of excellence. The show is part of a broader hustle that began long before she hung up her racket. “I recognized from an early age that as a woman, my career would end much sooner than in other professions,” Sharapova told the WSJ Leadership Institute. “I was like, ‘I’ve got to hustle. I’ve got to start learning from other people.’”
Her resume on the court is legendary: five Grand Slam titles, a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics, and a stint as world No. 1. Yet, she’s proving that life after tennis can be just as compelling. The swimsuit photo is a reminder that Sharapova remains a magnetic figure in sports culture.
Sharapova isn’t the only athlete turning heads in swimwear this summer. The trend has caught on across sports, with stars like Angel Reese and Belinda Bencic also sharing their own sizzling poolside moments. Even non-athletes like Joan Collins have gotten in on the action, showing that confidence and style have no age limit.
For Sharapova, though, this is more than just a throwback to her modeling days. It’s a celebration of a life well-lived—and a reminder that her influence extends far beyond the baseline. As she continues to drop new episodes of “Pretty Tough,” fans can expect more of the same fire and grace that defined her career.
Whether she’s serving aces or serving looks, Maria Sharapova remains a force to be reckoned with.
