Maria Sharapova’s fiancé, Alexander Gilkes fiancé has highlighted some emotional moments from the Russian tennis sensation’s induction into the tennis Hall of Fame alongside US doubles legends the Bryan Brothers.
Sharapova’s former rival Serena Williams also attended the star-studded ceremony, delivering an emotional speech during the induction.
Maria Sharapova’s Fiancé, Alexander Gilkes, Shares Hall of Fame Ceremony Highlights
Taking to Instagram, Gilkes shared a stunning picture of Sharapova holding her ‘hall of fame’ trophy. “What a weekend,” he wrote. “What a career. Well done on being inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame.”
In a follow-up post, he shared a clipping of Serena Williams’ heartfelt introductory speech at the event, describing it as “beautiful and touching.”
In another post, he hailed the achievements of legendary US doubles duo Bob and Mike Bryan, describing them as the “goats of doubles and chest bumps.” The Bryans won 119 doubles titles together, including 16 Grand Slams and an Olympic Gold in 2012.
Another story showed Gilkes himself getting teary-eyed amid the event. “I’ve maxed out my tear duct reserve quota for the rest of the year,” he said, explaining his outpouring emotion.
Sharapova, who retired from competitive tennis in 2020, has been dating Gilkes since 2018, and the couple got engaged in 2020.
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The Russian amassed a 645-171 record and won 36 singles titles, accumulating nearly $39 million in prize money. She has also shared pictures from the fateful event on her Instagram profile.
What Has Sharapova Been Doing Since Her Retirement From Tennis?
Since retiring from the sport, Sharapova has launched several successful ventures. In 2023, she became a member of the Board of Directors for the fashion brand ‘Moncler.’
During her peak years, Sharapova was one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. As per Forbes, she was the highest-paid female athlete in the world for 11 consecutive years.
On July 1, 2022, she gave birth to her son Theo, describing the event as “the most beautiful, challenging, and rewarding gift our little family could ask for.”
Who Is Alexander Gilkes?
Gilkes, born in 1979 in London, began his career as an auctioneer at Phillips de Pury & Company and later worked with luxury group LVMH in New York. In 2011, he co-founded Paddle8, an online auction house focused on fine art and collectibles, which quickly gained traction and handled over $140 million in sales by 2015.
Gilkes became a prominent figure in the art and startup world, earning recognition from Fast Company, Vanity Fair, GQ, and Art+Auction. He exited Paddle8 in 2018. In 2020, he launched Squared Circles, a venture studio supporting innovative companies at the intersection of science, technology, and culture.
Gilkes also serves on the board of the New York Academy of Art, further cementing his ties to the creative industry. He was married to fashion designer Misha Nonoo before divorcing in 2017. Gilkes’ net worth is currently estimated to be $25 million.
