Maria Sharapova is back on court — but this time, it’s not for a title chase. The five-time Grand Slam champion, who officially retired after the 2020 Australian Open, recently shared a clip of herself practicing for the first time in two years.
“Best 30 minutes of my day. No phone. No distractions. Just you and the ball,” she captioned, a sentiment that might sound like any casual player’s post — except Sharapova has spent most of her life doing exactly that at the highest level.
Now 38 and an International Tennis Hall of Famer, Sharapova has been enjoying life off the court since her induction earlier this year, where Serena Williams personally introduced her. “Serena did more than sharpen my game; she helped define my sense of identity,” Sharapova said to an emotional crowd in Newport.
While a professional comeback isn’t on the cards, Sharapova — much like Serena — seems to be rediscovering her passion for the sport. In her Instagram Story, she shared a few amusing updates from her practice session:
It was her first hit in two years.
She couldn’t find her tennis shoes.
Her racquet was strung at 59–61 pounds.
The stringing cost her $78, though the shop praised her skill.
Despite the long layoff, Sharapova looked right at home on court — smooth strokes, easy movement, and that familiar competitive glint in her eyes. With exhibition matches coming up, fans are already dreaming of a friendly Williams–Sharapova rematch for old times’ sake.
Aryna Sabalenka Jokes She’s the Secret Behind Djokovic’s Shanghai Surge
Aryna Sabalenka has taken some playful credit for Novak Djokovic’s strong form at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The two Grand Slam champions trained together during Sabalenka’s recent vacation in Greece — where Djokovic now keeps a home base.
Both stars have faced early challenges on their return to competition since the US Open. Sabalenka battled from a set down to defeat Rebecca Sramkova in Wuhan, while Djokovic has gone the distance twice in his first three matches in Shanghai.
Reflecting on their intense sessions in Greece, Sabalenka laughed, “He was super competitive and yelling a lot. I did ‘Come on!’ when he won points — but I won plenty too, for the record! I hope he’ll confirm that.”
The pair’s growing friendship extends beyond the baseline — they even enjoyed what Sabalenka described as a “dream double date” with their partners, Jelena Djokovic and Georgios Frangulis.
Sabalenka praised Djokovic’s generosity and mentorship, adding, “He’s always open to giving advice. I really admire both him and Jelena.” Still, she couldn’t resist teasingly taking credit for his success:
“We practiced a few times, and now he’s winning in Shanghai. I’d say I was a great hitting partner. If he wins the title, I’ll tell everyone it was all because of me.”
Djokovic, a four-time Shanghai champion, is chasing his first hard-court trophy since 2023. And if he does lift the trophy again, he might just owe his ‘training partner’ a thank-you dinner in Greece.
