After stepping away from tennis, former World No. 1 and five-time Grand Slam singles champion Maria Sharapova has embarked on a journey as a mother. The tennis star, 38, announced in 2022 that she and British businessman Alexander Gilkes had welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Theodore.
Sharapova recently discussed the challenges of motherhood on Andy Roddick’s “Served” podcast.
Maria Sharapova Has Revealed Why Saturday Is No Longer Her Favourite Day of the Week
The Russian tennis sensation has revealed that Saturdays have taken on a different meaning for her following the birth of her son.
“Saturday was my favorite day of the week because that is a Grand Slam final, that’s where I wanted to be,” she told Roddick. “Now, when Saturday comes along and you’re like, ‘Where’s my nanny? There’s no school. Oh, there’s no nanny.'”
She added, “You’re like, ‘I don’t know if Saturday is my favorite day.'”
Sharapova was a major force in the WTA Tour since she burst onto the scene as a teenager by winning Wimbledon in 2004.
The Russian contested ten Grand Slam finals, winning five of them.
Notably, she won each of the Grand Slams at least once. She was also the silver medallist in singles at the 2012 London Olympics.
Maria Sharapova Has Explained Why Her Son Has Two Names
Sharapova, in her candid interview with Roddick, revealed that her son has two names: Theo and Theodore.
When asked what she prefers to call him, the Russian explained, “Depends on the mood, depends on the mood.”
“We chose a name that would sound similar to both languages. So, I use Theodore when it’s like, let’s get this shit done, because I don’t have an extra hand. Mental capacity, not physical.
“And it’s Theo everytime else,” she added.
“Every week is a testament,” she said, speaking on the challenges of motherhood.
“It’s the biggest blessing, but also, it’s the toughest challenge that I think parents face on a daily basis.”
What Sharapova Has Been Doing Since She Retired From Tennis
Sharapova, one of the most celebrated names in tennis, has launched several successful ventures since she retired from the sport. In 2023, she joined the Board of Directors of the fashion brand Moncler.
During her peak years, the Russian was one of the highest-paid athletes in the world and was the highest-paid female athlete in the world for 11 consecutive years, as per Forbes.
Later this year, the Russian is set to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame alongside American doubles legends Bob and Mike Bryan.
Kim Clijsters, President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, said, “Beyond each of their historic accomplishments on the court, the Class of 2025 have had such a profound impact on the game of tennis and have inspired multiple generations of fans across the world.”
