Maria Sharapova’s 2006 was nothing short of remarkable—both on and off the court. That same year she posed for Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, the Russian tennis star also claimed her second Grand Slam title at the US Open in New York.
Having already made waves with her 2004 Wimbledon victory, Sharapova was no stranger to the spotlight. Still, shooting in Turks and Caicos with renowned photographer Walter Iooss Jr. was a completely new experience. She admitted it was “very different” from anything she had done before, but she thoroughly enjoyed the process.
Though modeling in swimwear wasn’t her usual arena, Sharapova approached it with the same determination and confidence that defined her tennis career. The collaboration with Iooss Jr.—whom she had worked with previously—allowed her to feel at ease in front of the camera.
Her Swimsuit debut marked just one of many milestones in a career that went on to include five Grand Slam victories before her retirement in 2020. But those 2006 photos remain a memorable reminder of a year when Sharapova was truly at the top of her game.
