Maria Sharapova proved she’s still in incredible shape after retirement as she enjoyed a stylish boat trip in Venice with her fiancé, British businessman Alexander Gilkes.
The 34-year-old Russian tennis icon, who stepped away from the sport in 2020 after an illustrious 19-year career, was spotted relaxing in a chic black bikini alongside Gilkes and friends. Their Italian holiday comes as Sharapova also attended the Venice Film Festival, where she was seen at a red-carpet premiere.
Sharapova’s legacy on the court remains unmatched—she became a global star after winning Wimbledon at just 17 in 2004, later reaching world No. 1 and securing five Grand Slam titles. She completed her career Grand Slam at the French Open in 2012, adding her final major at Roland Garros in 2014.
The former world champion began dating Gilkes in 2018, with the couple announcing their engagement in December 2020. Before this, Sharapova was engaged to Slovenian basketball player Sasha Vujacic and also dated fellow tennis pro Grigor Dimitrov.
Though now retired, Sharapova still keeps a close eye on the tennis world. The 2021 US Open is currently underway, with Naomi Osaka and rising British star Emma Raducanu making waves in the women’s draw. On the men’s side, Novak Djokovic remains in contention for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam, while Andy Murray bowed out in a thrilling first-round clash against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Sharapova may no longer compete, but her influence and presence—both on and off the court—continue to captivate fans worldwide.
