TENNIS star Maria Sharapova blows the competition away as she flaunts her athletic figure in sports underwear, snapped with windswept hair.The five-time Grand Slam champion, 32, threw a curveball last week when she announced her retirement from the sport.
She said: “Tennis – I’m saying goodbye. After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, I’m ready to scale another mountain.”Before getting into the full swing of things though, the pro admits there are a few simple things she’s looking forward to enjoying first.
She said: “A sense of stillness with my family. Lingering over a morning cup of coffee. Unexpected weekend getaways. Workouts of my choice (hello, dance class!).”She is also looking forward to retiring to her luxury LA beach pad, which took three years to build.Maria announced her shocking retirement with an exclusive 1,148-word essay for Vogue and Vanity Fair last week.
Having fallen to 373rd in the world as she struggled with a shoulder injury, the Florida-based star feels now is the right time to walk away from the competitive arena.She will forever remain a glamorous yet controversial figure in the sport.
ACES HIGH Maria Sharapova: Banned tennis drugs cheat shows off her amazing bikini body as she sees in New Year on idyllic Hawaiian island
Russian looking to make comeback from suspension at French Open later this year and has clearly been keeping in shape, The tennis ace is serving a suspension until April 25 after being handed a 15-month ban by the International Tennis Federation in June.
And Sharapova clearly can’t wait to get going again as she showed off her slim figure in a black bikini on the idyllic Hawaiian island of Lanai.The couldn’t stop smiling as she saw in the New Year with a group of friends and will be hoping to remain as spirited when she finally does return to the court.
Fans have been treated to regular updates on her Instagram page throughout the week, with Sharapova posting a picture of herself getting her hair done with the caption: “Because why not?” However, the party is now over for the Russian after she jetted to New York City for work.
Sharapova is expected to be back in action at the French Open later this year, which will make it over a year since her last professional appearance at the Australian Open in March 2016.
Sharapova tested positive for heart disease drug meldonium after the competition but claimed she was unaware it had been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency.
But the popular athlete will now be looking to put all that in the past as she gears up for her highly-anticipated comeback, although she’ll be hoping for better luck after losing to Monica Puig in an exhibition match last month.