Sharapova's quarter-final defeat by Williams at the 2016 Australian Open was the last competitive match the Russian played for 15 months after she received a doping ban while American Williams was on a maternity break for most of 2017.
Former champions Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova sparkled under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights to end a steamy first day that proved more than a little stressful for several of the US Open favourites on Monday.
Maria Sharapova's fellow players described her as inspirational and praised her fighting spirit following the Russian's announcement of her retirement from tennis at the age of 32 on Wednesday. The injury-plagued Sharapova, renowned for her never-say-die approach to the sport despite regularly being hampered by shoulder problems, won five Grand Slam titles.
Five-times Grand Slam champion Sharapova became an ambassador for the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in 2007, but was dropped in March after admitting she had used the banned substance meldonium.
Maria Sharapova's hopes of a title-winning return to the Australian Open were unceremoniously crushed by Angelique Kerber as the battle of the former champions ended 6-1, 6-3 in the German's favour.
Tennis sensation Maria Sharapova yet again rules the Forbes' list of highest-paid female athletes.
Sharapova was granted a wildcard entry to the last Grand Slam of the season but received a tough first-round draw in the shape of Romanian Halep.
Tennis sensation Maria Sharapova ensured all eyes would be on her as she attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday night in a glamorous silver gown.
The 20-year-old is on the longest unbeaten run in the women's tour since Serena Williams bagged 34 victories in succession in 2013.
Maria Sharapova, David Beckham, Christina Hendricks were among the hotsteppers who showed up at the ongoing New York Fashion Week.
The glittering career of Russian former World No 1 Maria Sharapova was in tatters after she was given a two-year ban by the International Tennis Federation. Check out the high points in her career...
Celebrities from the world of Hollywood, fashion and sport were there to witness the proceedings of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year.
As the fans head toward Flushing Meadows, tennis stars gear up with ground-breaking styles to rule the courts.
Maria Sharapova continued her marauding form in handing out a 6-2, 6-1 thrashing to Sweden's Rebecca Peterson
"We experienced wonderful moments together. I wish her much happiness and success in life and in tennis.
Maria Sharapova shook off some rust after injury and a 15-month doping ban to beat Jennifer Brady in her first match in the United States in more than two years on Monday at the Stanford Classic.
Bollettieri founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in 1978. It was bought by the International Management Group in 1987.
Russia's former World No 1 Maria Sharapova said she could not wait to return to tennis in April after her drugs ban was reduced to 15 months on Tuesday.
Her ranking has dropped to number 6 in the WTA ranking charts after losing the Australian Open semi-final to Serena Williams last week but that hasn't dimmed the light in the Russian player's heart.
Maria Sharapova, the Russian five-time Grand Slam champion who became one of the highest paid sportswomen in the world, announced her retirement at the age of 32 on Wednesday. The former world number has played only two matches this year, losing in the first round of the Australian Open, with her ranking sliding to 373.
Tennis stars Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova came in their finest best at the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, California on Sunday.
Iga Swiatek clinched her second French Open title after defeating American teenager Coco Gauff
The Brazilian, the only player to claim three World Cup winner's medals and a man often called the greatest footballer of all time, said all monies raised will help Brazil's fight against and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maria Sharapova set up an enticing quarter-final showdown with Eugenie Bouchard at the Australian Open following a comfortable 6-3, 6-0 fourth round victory over China's Peng Shuai on Sunday.
Damian Torrie held up a sign and yelled out "Marry me Maria Sharapova?" during her first match, which encouraged a chorus of laughs around Pat Rafter Arena, News.com.au reported.
Bianca Andreescu is the first Canadian to win a major in the professional era.
The president of the French tennis federation (FFT) said he had a moral responsibility to deny Maria Sharapova a wildcard invitation to this month's French Open as the sport continues its fight against doping.
Tennis star Maria Sharapova again tops the list of highest earning female athletes over the past year, according to Forbes.
It's three days since the Australian Open kicked-off. Let's check out what the top stars are wearing. Tennis fashion has travelled a long way from whites to bright colours. Players and the famous brands, experiment with various shades.
Not just because Serena Williams looks capable of landing a 24th Grand Slam title against all the odds having returned from maternity leave and Maria Sharapova is seeking redemption after a 15-month doping ban with a third French Open title.
Former world number one Maria Sharapova made a winning comeback to the tour on Wednesday following her 15-month doping ban, beating Italian Roberta Vinci in straight sets in the first round of the Stuttgart Grand Prix.
Order of play on the main show courts at the French Open.
Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpishchev expects Maria Sharapova to represent her country at this year's Olympics in Brazil despite being provisionally suspended from the game after testing positive for a banned substance.
Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray have pledged to support relief funds for children affected by the invasion.
Sharapova struggled to move on court and conceded the opening set 6-1, with coach Thomas Hogstedt urging the Russian to take her game to the next level or call for a medical timeout.
It will be the 22nd career match-up between the two long-time rivals, who somehow have avoided each other at the US Open throughout their long careers.
Maria Sharapova's tiumph in Stuttgart on Sunday marked only the fifth instance a her decade-long career that the Russian successfully defended a title. Rediff.com takes a look at the instances.
'I definitely feel the respect from the athletes. Certainly when I play against them, in terms of the level they play with'
Former world number one Maria Sharapova has been invited to play at the Madrid Open in May, which takes place less than two weeks after her 15-month doping ban expires, tournament organisers said on Wednesday.
Former world number one Maria Sharapova has been handed a wildcard to the Wimbledon warm-up tournament in Birmingham in June.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances