Maria Sharapova says “goodbye” to tennis at the age of 32

Five-time Grand Slam champion, Maria Sharapova says “goodbye” to tennis at the age of 32.

The ex world No 1, who came victorious in Wimbledon back in 2004 when she was very young; at the age of 17, has strove with continuing issues with her shoulder and has collapsed to 373 in the rankings.

Maria Sharapova has won only three games since achieving the fourth round of the 2019 Australian Open and was kicked out in the opening round at 2020 tournament in Melbourne by Croatian professional player, Donna Vekic.

In 2016, Maria Sharapova who was checked positive for the drug meldonium was prohibited for two years which was later dropped to 15 months after appeal. Maria Sharapova returned to the game in April 2017 after the ban.

After the ban, she was only capable to make it to one Grand Slam quarter-final and a highest world ranking of number 21.

According to Vanity Fair, Maria Sharapova on Wednesday said:

“I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis – I’m saying goodbye.”

“How do you leave behind the only life you’ve ever known? How do you walk away from the courts you’ve trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love, one which brought you untold tears and unspeakable joys, a sport where you found a family, along with fans who rallied behind you for more than 28 years?”

“I’ll miss the training and my daily routine: Waking up at dawn, lacing my left shoe before my right, and closing the court’s gate before I hit my first ball of the day.”

“I’ll miss my team, my coaches. I’ll miss the moments sitting with my father on the practice court bench. The handshakes-win or lose-and the athletes, whether they knew it or not, who pushed me to be my best.”

“Looking back now, I realise that tennis has been my mountain. My path has been filled with valleys and detours, but the views from its peak were incredible.”

“After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, though, I’m ready to scale another mountain-to compete on a different type of terrain.”