After more than two years away from the court, tennis icon Maria Sharapova recently made her long-awaited return — and was met with an amusing surprise: the cost of restringing her tennis racket.
The five-time Grand Slam champion, who retired following the 2020 Australian Open, decided to pick up her racket again for a light practice session that turned into an unexpected reality check.
Sharapova revealed that she had to pay $78 just to restring her racket, joking about the experience on social media. “First practice in 2+ years. Couldn’t find my tennis shoes. Cost $78 to string the racket. Is that a new normal?” she wrote, adding a touch of humor to her comeback moment.
A Joyful and Peaceful Return
Despite the shock, Sharapova cherished her return to the court, describing it as both calming and inspiring. “The tennis shop told me I must be really good if my string tension is 61-59. I’ll take the compliment. Best 30 minutes of my day. No phone. No distractions. Just you and the ball,” she shared.
The video she posted quickly gained attention from fans thrilled to see her reconnecting with the sport that defined much of her life.
Sharapova Balances Motherhood and Ambition
Away from tennis, Sharapova continues to thrive in business and family life. In August 2025, she was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island — a testament to her remarkable career. The 38-year-old also opened up about her work-life balance and passion for her projects during an appearance on Andy Roddick’s Served podcast.
“If I’m gonna leave my home and my family, it better be worth it. I better be so excited about where I’m going and what I’m building,” she said, referencing her dedication to her ventures and her three-year-old son, Theodore.
Sharapova admitted that her drive remains as strong as ever. “I really recognize how lucky I am at this stage in my life, but I’m also a workaholic. I’ve been ambitious since I was a young girl,” she confessed.
A New Chapter Beyond Tennis
Since retiring, Sharapova has entered a fulfilling new phase. She became engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes in December 2020 and welcomed their son in 2022. Balancing motherhood, business, and her occasional returns to the tennis court, Sharapova continues to inspire fans worldwide with her discipline and optimism.
As one fan commented after her recent post, “It’s great to have Maria Sharapova even thinking about the tennis court again.”
