Challenges Faced by Maria Sharapova: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Maria Sharapova. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Maria Sharapova is a retired Russian professional tennis player. She achieved the world No. 1 ranking and held it for 21 weeks. Sharapova's career highlights include winning 36 WTA Tour-level singles titles. She is a five-time major champion and secured the WTA Tour Championships in 2004. Sharapova is one of ten women to complete a career Grand Slam in singles.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

August 2002: Lowest Ranking Since August 2002

Following the 2020 Australian Open, Sharapova's ranking fell to no. 369, marking her lowest ranking since August 2002.

2002: Lowest Year-End Ranking Since 2002

In 2019, Sharapova ended the year ranked No. 131, which was her lowest year-end ranking since 2002.

2003: Earliest Exit from Miami Open Since First Appearance

At the Miami Open in 2003, Maria Sharapova experienced her earliest exit from the tournament since her first appearance, losing in the second round to Daria Gavrilova in straight sets.

2003: First Round Loss at Australian Open

For the first time since 2003, Maria Sharapova lost her opening match at a Grand Slam event, against Maria Kirilenko at the Australian Open.

2004: US Open Loss

At the 2004 US Open, Maria Sharapova was upset in her third-round match by 30th seed Agnieszka Radwańska.

2004: Criticism from Anastasia Myskina

In 2004, after Sharapova defeated Anastasia Myskina at the WTA Tour Championships, Myskina criticized Sharapova's father's behavior. Myskina later stated she would stop playing for Russia if Sharapova joined the Fed Cup team the following season, due to his behavior. Assistant to Russia Fed Cup captain, Larisa Neiland, also criticised the father's behaviour.

April 2006: Withdrawal from Fed Cup Tie Against Belgium

In April 2006, Sharapova withdrew from a Fed Cup tie against Belgium after stating she was keen to make her debut.

April 2007: Withdrawal from Fed Cup Tie Against Spain

In April 2007, Sharapova withdrew from a Fed Cup tie against Spain due to injuries.

July 2007: Withdrawal from Fed Cup Tie Against the United States

In July 2007, Sharapova withdrew from a Fed Cup tie against the United States due to injuries, leading to discussions about her eligibility for the Fed Cup final and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

2007: US Open Loss to Melanie Oudin

At the US Open in 2007, Maria Sharapova was defeated by American teenager Melanie Oudin in the third round.

2008: Last Clay Loss After Winning First Set

In 2008, Maria Sharapova lost a match on clay to Dinara Safina in the fourth round at the French Open after winning the first set. This marked the last time until 2015 when she lost a match on clay after winning the first set.

February 2009: Top 10 ranking

In February 2009, Maria Sharapova was outside the top 10 in world rankings.

2009: US Open Series

In 2009, during the US Open Series, Sharapova reached two consecutive finals, losing to Victoria Azarenka at the Bank of the West Classic, and to Kim Clijsters at the Western & Southern Open. At the US Open, Sharapova, seeded 14th, advanced to the fourth round but was defeated by Caroline Wozniacki.

2010: Worst Grand Slam Result Since 2010

In 2018, Sharapova exited Wimbledon with a three set lost to Vitalia Diatchenko despite being up a set and serving for the match. This marked her worst Grand Slam result since the 2010 Australian Open and her first ever opening round loss at Wimbledon.

2011: US Open and WTA Tour Championships

In 2011, Sharapova entered the US Open, where she was upset by Flavia Pennetta. She climbed to world No. 2 in the rankings. She retired against Petra Kvitová in the quarterfinal of the Pan Pacific Open due to an ankle injury and withdrew from the China Open. She withdrew during the round-robin stage of the WTA Tour Championships due to her ankle injury and ended the year as No. 4 in the world.

2011: Australian Open and Return to Top 10

In 2011, Sharapova participated in the Australian Open, reaching the fourth round before losing to Andrea Petkovic. She withdrew from the Dubai Championships and the Qatar Open due to an ear infection. She returned to the tour at the BNP Paribas Open, reaching the semifinal. At Key Biscayne, she reached the final but was defeated by Victoria Azarenka. Following this result, Sharapova returned to the top 10 for the first time since February 2009.

2011: Loss in 2011 Fed Cup Tie

In the 2011 first-round Fed Cup tie, Sharapova played Virginie Razzano of France and lost.

2012: Participation in 2012 Fed Cup Tie

In 2012, Sharapova participated in the Fed Cup, helping Russia to a 3–2 win against Spain in the first-round tie. She defeated Sílvia Soler Espinosa in the first rubber but was unable to play her second rubber due to illness.

2012: Australian Open Final and Ranking Improvement

In 2012, Sharapova withdrew from the Brisbane International due to an ankle injury. At the Australian Open, she advanced to the final but lost to Victoria Azarenka. As a result, her ranking improved to world No. 3. She then played in the Open GDF Suez in Paris, where she lost in the quarterfinals.

2012: Indian Wells, Miami, and Stuttgart Tournaments

In 2012, at the Indian Wells Open, Sharapova advanced to the final but lost to Victoria Azarenka. At the Sony Ericsson Open, she lost in the final to Agnieszka Radwańska. She won her first title of the year at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, defeating Victoria Azarenka. At the Madrid Open, she was defeated by Serena Williams.

August 2013: Shoulder injury

In August 2013, Sharapova did not play due to a recurring shoulder injury.

2013: First Opening Round Loss Since 2013

In 2013, Sharapova recorded her first opening round loss since 2013, with a straight-sets loss to eighth seed Magdaléna Rybáriková at the Kremlin Cup.

2013: Australian Open and Semifinal Loss

In 2013, Sharapova withdrew from the Brisbane International due to a collarbone injury. She started her season at the Australian Open, where she lost to Li Na in the semifinals.

2015: First Grasscourt Win since 2015

At the Mallorca Open in 2019, Sharapova made a return after being away for four months. She defeated Viktória Kužmová in straight sets, recording her first grasscourt win since 2015. Her run ended in the second round. At Wimbledon, she retired in the first round. She ended the year ranked No. 131, her lowest year-end ranking since 2002.

2015: 2015 Fed Cup Performance

In 2015, Sharapova helped Russia earn a place in the Fed Cup semifinals after beating Pole Urszula Radwańska and her sister Agnieszka Radwańska. She withdrew from the semifinal but joined the team for the final against Czech Republic, winning both of her matches. Despite her wins, Russia lost the final 3–2.

January 2016: Failed Drug Test at Australian Open

In January 2016, Maria Sharapova failed a drug test at the Australian Open, testing positive for meldonium, a substance that had been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) effective January 1, 2016.

January 2016: Meldonium Added to Banned List

In January 2016, meldonium was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s list of banned substances.

March 2016: Denial of Missed Warnings

On March 11, 2016, Sharapova used Facebook to deny reports that she had received five warnings about meldonium being banned.

March 2016: Failed Drug Test Announcement

On March 7, 2016, Sharapova revealed she had failed a drug test at the 2016 Australian Open due to testing positive for meldonium, which had been added to WADA's banned substances list on January 1, 2016. She was provisionally suspended by the ITF effective from March 12, 2016.

June 2016: Suspension from Tennis

On June 8, 2016, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) suspended Maria Sharapova from playing tennis for two years due to a failed drug test.

September 2016: CAS Hearing Findings

Following hearings on September 7 and 8, 2016, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) panel determined that Sharapova had a reduced perception of risk while using Mildronate due to several factors. These included her long-term use, openness about it, consultation with her doctor, and lack of specific warnings. However, the panel also noted her failure to disclose meldonium use on doping control forms and her agent's negligence.

October 2016: Suspension Reduction

On October 4, 2016, Maria Sharapova's suspension was reduced to 15 months, starting from the date of the failed test, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport found "no significant fault".

2016: Stanford Classic and Injury

In 2016, Maria Sharapova played her first hard court tournament since the Australian Open at the Stanford Classic, defeating Jennifer Brady in three sets. She withdrew from the next round with a left arm injury and also withdrew from the Canadian Open due to the same injury.

2016: Withdrawal from Brisbane International

In 2016, Maria Sharapova was the defending champion at the Brisbane International, but she withdrew hours before her first-round match against Ekaterina Makarova due to a left forearm injury. She was replaced by Margarita Gasparyan.

2016: Explanation of Meldonium Use

In 2016, Sharapova explained that she had been taking a medicine called mildronate for ten years, prescribed by her family doctor, unaware that it also had the name meldonium and had become a prohibited substance on January 1, 2016.

2016: Reactions to Sharapova's Announcement

In 2016, after Sharapova's announcement, many fellow tennis players reacted with little support. Some, like John McEnroe and Pat Cash, expressed disbelief, while others, such as Jennifer Capriati, suggested stripping her of titles. Serena Williams commended Sharapova for being upfront. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray condemned Sharapova, while Novak Djokovic expressed sympathy but acknowledged the need for punishment. The Russian Tennis Federation defended Sharapova.

2017: Withdrawal from Italian Open and French Open Wildcard Denial

In 2017, Maria Sharapova played in the Madrid Open and the Italian Open. At the Italian Open, she had to retire in the third set due to a thigh injury. Shortly before her match, the French Federation president announced that Sharapova would not receive a wildcard for the 2017 French Open.

2019: 2019 Season

In 2019, Sharapova began her season at the Shenzhen Open, reaching the quarterfinals. She played in the Australian Open, reaching the fourth round, and recorded her first win in Russia in thirteen years at the St. Petersburg Ladies' Trophy. She withdrew from several tournaments due to a shoulder injury, for which she had minor surgery.

2020: 2020 Season

In 2020, Sharapova began her season at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, where she defeated Ajla Tomljanović. She then played at the Brisbane International and the Kooyong Classic, but faced challenges due to smoke from wildfires. At the 2020 Australian Open, she was defeated in the first round, leading to her lowest ranking since August 2002.