Maria Sharapova often says becoming a mother is “one of the best things that’s happened” in her life. Since retiring from tennis in 2020, the former world No.1 has shifted her focus to family life with her fiancé, British businessman Alexander Gilkes, whom she’s been with since 2018. The couple got engaged in 2020, and in July 2022, they welcomed their son, Theodore.
Sharapova frequently shares snippets of her new life on social media, offering fans a glimpse into her journey as a mom. In a past interview with PEOPLE, she admitted that parenthood has been a learning process: “Every single week you learn something new about them, about their personality. Although it’s a full-time job, it’s also so gratifying to watch this little human grow and express himself.”
Her posts often highlight how motherhood keeps her busy no matter the setting. For example, during a 2022 trip to Greece, she jokingly captioned a photo, “always on duty 🍼 even inside the caves.” Earlier this year, she even took Theodore and Gilkes to Wimbledon, proudly showing her son the stadium where she famously lifted the trophy in 2004.
Recently, Sharapova delighted her followers by sharing a video of herself teaching Theodore the Russian alphabet, playfully asking, “HOW’S YOUR TUESDAY?” She also documented sweet family outings, including one where Gilkes tried his hand at a toy machine while their son happily enjoyed a croissant.
Sharapova has spoken openly about how tennis has shaped her approach to motherhood. On the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, she explained that balancing her responsibilities as a mother has been both rewarding and demanding. She credits her years on the court for teaching her discipline and the value of routines, which she now applies to parenting. “The discipline of schedules and routines… seeing the benefit of that through their behavior has been really helpful,” she said, adding that just like in tennis, knowing when to eat, rest, and recharge made all the difference.
As Christmas approaches, Sharapova has also shared adorable moments of Theodore marveling at the holiday decorations, underscoring just how much she cherishes her role as a mother.
