The five-time Grand Slam winner had to play tennis by herself
Maria Sharapova recently shared an amusing glimpse into her life as a mother, revealing that her son, Theodore, quickly lost interest in tennis despite her efforts to introduce him to the sport.
The five-time Grand Slam winner took to Instagram to document the moment, showing that while tennis defined her career, it might not hold the same appeal for her son-at least not yet.
Sharapova, who frequently updates fans about her personal life, posted a lighthearted Instagram Story on February 22, capturing Theodore’s short-lived enthusiasm for tennis. The toddler initially showed some interest but quickly abandoned the activity, leaving his mother to play alone.
“It lasted less than a minute,” she captioned the post, adding a humorous touch to the situation.
Realizing she was left without a playing partner, the former world No. 1 joked, “I guess I’ll just play myself,” as she continued hitting the ball solo.
This isn’t the first time Sharapova has shared entertaining parenting moments. Earlier in February, she posted about a family visit to an art gallery, where she had to constantly remind Theodore not to touch the artwork, highlighting the challenges of keeping up with an active toddler.
Sharapova’s Life After Tennis
Maria Sharapova retired from professional tennis in 2020 after a career that included five Grand Slam titles and an Olympic silver medal at the 2012 London Games, where she finished as runner-up to Serena Williams.
Stepping away from the sport allowed her to focus on new endeavors, including family life. She and her fiancé, British businessman Alexander Gilkes, welcomed Theodore on July 1, 2022. The couple, who have been together since 2018, announced their engagement in December 2020.
Reflecting on motherhood in an interview with People magazine last year, Sharapova expressed that retiring when she did was the right decision.
“I don’t know if any woman ever knows when it’s time to step into a new phase or motherhood, but I feel like I made the choice at the right time. I feel like I have a healthy distance from tennis. I was ready for a new chapter in life,” she said.