“Tennis—I’m saying goodbye,” Maria Sharapova once declared in her heartfelt farewell essay on VanityFair.com and Vogue.com, marking the end of a legendary career that delivered five Grand Slam titles. A global icon since her stunning Wimbledon triumph over Serena Williams at just 17, Sharapova’s legacy seemed sealed. Yet now, the 38-year-old, who shocked the tennis world with her retirement 5 years ago, has made a surprise courtside return during a practice session. Her presence not only reignited nostalgia among fans but also sparked surprise at the ongoing debate over tennis’ rising costs.
Just hours ago, Maria Sharapova lit up Instagram stories with a short yet striking video of her forehand practice, breaking a silence of more than two years. Captioning it, “First practice in 2+ years,” she gave fans a glimpse of her long-awaited return to the court.
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She later revealed her amusement at the rising costs of the sport, writing, “couldn’t find my tennis shoes cost $78 to string the racket. Is that a new normal?” Adding humor to nostalgia, Sharapova shared, “the tennis shop told me I must really good if my string tension is 61-59. I’ll take the compliment. best 30mins of my day. No phone. No distractions. Just you and the ball.”
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