Maria Sharapova has long been recognized as one of tennis’s fashion icons. From her Swarovski crystal dress at the 2017 US Open to her timeless Wimbledon whites, she rarely missed the mark. The WTA even dubbed her the “queen of tennis fashion glamor” in 2019. But recently, the five-time Grand Slam champion revealed there was one outfit she’d rather forget—mainly because of the memories attached to it.
During a Q&A session on Instagram, a fan asked Sharapova if she had a least favorite on-court look from her Grand Slam appearances. She didn’t hesitate to bring up the 2010 Australian Open, when she wore a layered, ruffled Nike dress against fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko. Instead of boosting her confidence, the outfit became a distraction. Sharapova admitted, “In hindsight, there was too much going on with this one. And I lost. Double Whammy.”
That match ended in heartbreak. Kirilenko stunned Sharapova in the first round, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4—marking Sharapova’s earliest exit at a Slam since 2003. It was also her first defeat at the Australian Open since losing the 2007 final to Serena Williams. The outfit, combined with her struggles on court, made the tournament one she’d rather erase from memory.
Her struggles didn’t end there. The rest of 2010 was underwhelming: a third-round exit at the French Open, fourth-round eliminations at both Wimbledon and the US Open, and no major breakthroughs to speak of.
Interestingly, Sharapova’s Q&A also left fans guessing about her future in tennis. Though she retired in 2020 after a first-round loss at the Australian Open to Donna Vekić, one follower asked if she’d ever consider coaching. Her coy response—“Me??”—sparked speculation, though she has previously laughed off the idea of stepping into that role.
When she announced her retirement, Sharapova made it clear she had no plans for a comeback, saying, “I promise everyone.” Still, her appearances at exhibition events show her love for the game hasn’t faded. Whether she’ll ever trade her racket for a coaching clipboard remains to be seen.
