Maria Sherapova Talks Advocacy, Life After Retirement, and the Future of Women's Tennis

It's been five years since Maria Sharapova retired from professional tennis, but her work is not done. After 20 years in the game, 5 grand slam titles, and an Olympic medal, Sharapova is finding more barriers to break within the sport.

Her latest: a partnership with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and their Global Women's Health Fund established in 2024, focusing on improving health outcomes for women and children.

WTA Foundation's Global Women's Health Fund recently announced a new partnership with UNICEF to close the women's health gap by improving access to essential nutrition resources for women and children globally. The initiative offers tennis fans an opportunity to rally behind the cause, and every dollar raised will be matched to ensure essential prenatal nutrition is provided to women from vulnerable communities.

As an ambassador for the WTA, we caught up with Sharapova to talk all things impact, how she's using her voice in support of moms through this program, her hopes for the future of women's tennis, and life off the court.

PS: What motivated you to take on this advocacy role for women and girls, and what impact do you hope to accomplish?

Maria Sherapova: "My journey has led me to do this meaningful work. I was a professional athlete for so many years in my life, and then became a mother two and a half years ago. Motherhood shifts your perspective, and learning the statistics about the communities of women around the world who need basic health care, or are without prenatal vitamins that are readily accessible for so many of us. So this partnership just felt like a very natural facilitation. As an athlete and a mum, I understand the powerful role that good health care and nutrition plays - especially during pregnancy - in determining life outcomes."

PS: Why is tennis poised to make a bigger impact with the WTA Global Health Fund initiative than other women's sports?

MS: "Tennis is international, and our reach in the sport is so broad. The mission and the goal of the WTA Global Health Fund alongside UNICEF is to reach as many women as far and as wide as possible, and our platform can do that. This initiative will have a major impact on women all around the world, and I wanted to get behind it."

PS: The WTA continues to be a leader for women's professional sports, and the sport of tennis itself has catalyzed pay equity for women within other sports. What are other ways you're seeing the sport leading the change for women and girls?

MS: "The gap is closing a little bit, but there is still a long way to go. Female athletes are having an incredible movement, and in tennis, it's been so rewarding to watch because they're being celebrated for their strength, perseverance, and athleticism. There are so many beautiful things about being a tennis athlete and being able to share that reach on an international stage. The WTA has been doing an incredible job in elevating and amplifying their stories."

PS: Are there any players in the game right now that have caught your eye, that you've been impressed with?

MS: "I'm such a big fan of Coco Gauff. Although she's already won a Grand Slam, she's exciting to watch and has such a great future ahead of her. She also just handles herself so well off the court, too. Ons Jabeur has an incredible story and has inspired so many young girls to pick up sport in a region of the world that's not familiar with tennis. And lastly, Mirra Andreeva is another talent I'm rooting for. She just recently broke into the top 10, so she's one to definitely watch."

PS: As a tennis icon, you've learned many things along the way, including discipline, perseverance, and following your passion. How have those tenets influenced your approach to motherhood and advocacy work?

MS: "There are so many amazing lessons that I was able to learn during my career that I've applied to this next chapter of my life. I was lucky to be able to do something for twenty years. I loved competing, and that's what drove me. I learned discipline, not giving up, being diligent with routines, and the importance of taking care of your body and mind as well. These lessons are the foundation for my role as a mom and as an advocate for women."

PS: Is there one piece of advice or inspiration you would share with other women?

MS: "I think, following your own path, being focused and understanding there are ups and downs in one's path or career, and even in those moments, just being proud of your journey. There's something really beautiful about seeing the best version of yourself excel."

Ralinda Watts is an author, diversity expert, consultant, practitioner, speaker, and proven thought leader who works at the intersection of race, identity, culture, and justice. She has contributed to numerous publications such as PS, CBS Media, Medium, YahooLifestyle, and the Los Angeles Times.