Maria Sharapova’s induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame turned emotional as she delivered a moving tribute to her father, Yuri Sharapov, bringing him to tears. The former tennis star joined legends like Mike and Bob Bryan in receiving the prestigious honor, capping off her storied career.
Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion and the highest-paid female athlete from 2005 to 2015 (Forbes), first picked up a racket at age four—gifted to her by Aleksandr Kafelnikov, father of two-time Slam winner Yevgeny. With Yuri guiding her every step, she went on to become one of tennis’ biggest icons.
In her induction speech, Sharapova credited her father for shaping her journey:
“Dad, we really did this together, didn’t we? I was nervous when you said you’d pick your own suit today, but you look great—I approve. I’m so lucky to have gone through this journey under your wings. When no one believed in us, you did. You were tough, always pushing me to raise my standards, but you never forgot your most important role—being my father. That is the greatest gift. Thank you.”
Sharapova’s family left Gomel, Byelorussian SSR, for Russia after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. From there, Yuri’s vision carried her career forward. She stunned the world by winning Wimbledon at 17, defeating Serena Williams, and soon rose to World No. 1. Looking back, Sharapova admitted she simply followed the path her father laid out for her:
“My father had big goals. I was too young for that at the time, but I walked the road he built for me.”
Beyond tennis, Sharapova became a global brand, appearing in countless endorsements and founding her candy company, Sugarpova, in 2012. Today, she also invests in finance, wellness, and fashion—further proof that her father’s influence continues to shape her life well beyond the court.
