Maria Sharapova has been quietly soaking in the summer sun with her fiancé, Alexander Gilkes, and their three-year-old son, Theodore. Over the weekend, the retired tennis champion gave fans a glimpse into the trip through a string of relaxed Instagram Stories — sparkling turquoise water lapping against rocky coves, a quick boat ride to shore, and a sandy stretch perfect for building castles.
While the photos speak for themselves, the calm scenes hint at how the family’s busy lives slow down whenever they reach the coast.
Little Theodore Steals the Spotlight on Shores
Born on Jul. 1, 2022, Theodore turned three just weeks ago. In a story posted by Sharapova, he was seen playing on a sandy beach. He wore a sun hat and a blue top, engrossed with sand toys like a bucket and sieve, with the sparkling sea and a distant sailboat in the background.
The moment echoes an earlier story in which father and son splashed at the water’s edge, an image fans hailed as “too sweet for words.” She also posted another story, featuring a beautiful, clear blue sea meeting a rugged, rocky coastline under a bright sky, captioned, “I think about this from October to April every year.”
Sharapova has long shielded her child’s face from the public eye, but she freely shares the milestones that matter: first steps, first time on court, and, now, his growing curiosity about the sea.
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During a 2024 Tennis Channel chat, Sharapova admitted that motherhood requires “negotiation skills” she never expected to use outside boardrooms. She also shared one of her photos where she is seen sitting on a boat, wearing a vibrant red and white patterned dress and sunglasses, looking towards the shore. In the background, people are visible near the water, and a rocky hillside rises.
A Sun Soaked Break for Maria Sharapova
Since she retired from professional tennis in February 2020, Sharapova has transitioned into a new phase of her life, focusing on family and business endeavors. While her professional tennis career concluded, she has maintained a prominent profile, adeptly managing her roles as a mother and entrepreneur.
Her successful confectionery brand, Sugarpova, continues to thrive, and she remains engaged in various investment and brand collaborations. This family vacation offers a rare insight into how the former athlete allocates time for personal moments amidst her demanding schedule. It highlights her transition from the rigorous demands of professional sports to a more serene, yet equally productive lifestyle.
Observers frequently commend her ability to maintain a sense of privacy and normalcy despite her global recognition, and these shared glimpses of Theodore’s interactions at the beach with his parents further reinforce this perception. It’s clear that while her competitive fire still burns, it’s now channeled into nurturing her family and building her post-tennis legacy on her own terms.
This period of quieter reflection appears to suit the former champion, enabling her to appreciate the simpler aspects of life, such as observing her son’s engagement with the marine environment.
