In some shocking news, Russian tennis sensation Maria Sharapova has announced her retirement from tennis.
The five-time grand slam champion shared the unfortunate news via her article on Vanity Fair magazine. “Tennis-I’m saying goodbye”- wrote Maria.
Sharapova took to Instagram to share an emotional post, featuring her childhood photo with a tennis racquet in hand.
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As was obvious, Maria’s announcement has sent shock waves across the world of tennis. While some shared their best wishes for her future, others expressed sadness over the retirement of their favourite tennis star.
How did Twitter react to Maria Sharapova retirement?
A major proportion of the reactions to Sharapova’s announcement have been seen on Twitter.
Let’s take a look at the top Twitter reactions to the sad news announced by our beloved star –
I was fortunate enough to follow the late part of Maria’s career from close up and it was always inspiring to watch her incredible work ethic and professionalism.
No matter what the situation was, Maria was always a total pro, in the best sense of the word. pic.twitter.com/ZRiIhFNu4u
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) February 26, 2020
And to lighten the somber mood, here’s by far the funniest photo I’ve ever taken of Maria… Tie Break Tens Madrid 2017. pic.twitter.com/srszSgWeWn
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) February 26, 2020
🇷🇺 @MariaSharapova, campeona del #MMOPEN 2014, anuncia su retirada 😢
We will miss you, Masha! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jrtWBvNooO
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) February 26, 2020
🏆 Vincitrice di 5 Slam, 3 volte campionessa a #Roma nel 2011, 2012 e 2015, @MariaSharapova annuncia il ritiro dal #tennis giocato in un'intervista: "Tennis, I'm saying goodbye".#ibi20 #tennis #sharapova pic.twitter.com/syGvZFGuEe
— Internazionali Bnl (@InteBNLdItalia) February 26, 2020
Former World No. 1️⃣@AustralianOpen 🏆@rolandgarros 🏆🏆@Wimbledon 🏆@usopen🏆
3️⃣6️⃣ singles titles
We'll #MissYouMaria@MariaSharapova has announced her retirement from tennis –>https://t.co/BqE5pA9nGO pic.twitter.com/Z55MHC1t5q— WTA (@WTA) February 26, 2020
What an amazing career. @MariaSharapova pic.twitter.com/keEf1iqAJo
— HEAD Tennis (@head_tennis) February 26, 2020
Sharapova in 2016.
"I Am not going to end my Career in an LA Hotel with fairly ugly Ccarpet".
In fact she didn't.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 26, 2020
🏆🏆 Our 2-time #RolandGarros champion "is saying goodbye".
All the best for your future @MariaSharapova 🙏 pic.twitter.com/9UXR4mTLIv
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) February 26, 2020
— Donna Vekic (@DonnaVekic) February 26, 2020
🚨 Maria Sharapova is retiring from tennis! 🚨
32 years-old former World No.1 has just announced the end of her career: "I’m new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis—I’m saying goodbye." https://t.co/H1sWD3MP0w pic.twitter.com/ihUY0HYLrw
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) February 26, 2020
— Sven Groeneveld 🍊 (@sventennis) February 26, 2020
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Igor💫💙👀 #ThankYouMaria (@MariaSupporter) February 26, 2020
'Tennis – I'm saying goodbye' 😢
5️⃣-time Grand Slam champion 🏆 @MariaSharapova announces her retirement at age 32. Enjoy your new life Maria! pic.twitter.com/soppDvycDB
— Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar (@rnadalacademy) February 26, 2020
Thank you Maria for being the best person ever, thank you for being an inspiration, thank you for all your victories and memories, thank you for the bad moments but also in them our little #sharafamily stayed together.Enjoy life now, always with you.❤️#MariaSharapova #idol pic.twitter.com/r7g76gdWuo
— MariaSharapovaFans (@sharapovaqueen1) February 26, 2020
This is probably one of the most iconic tennis picture of the last 50 years. pic.twitter.com/LfK4ix4dLA
— enrico maria riva (@enricomariariva) February 26, 2020
I personally will miss Maria Sharapova on Tour a lot. She's always been the utmost professional with media. I was lucky through the years to see the funny side of her. She could be hilarious. And so smart. One of a kind. Someone who'll strive in everything she puts her mind to.
— Carole Bouchard 💜💛 (@carole_bouchard) February 26, 2020
maria sharapova shouting down an AO hallway a few years ago that she had a huge amazon package outside of her house full of board games i had recommended remains one of the more surreal tennis interactions i’ve had
happy she'll have more time to play viticulture.
— Courtney Nguyen (@FortyDeuceTwits) February 26, 2020
Farewell, Maria. pic.twitter.com/0aYXzAF3Db
— 9-7 in the 5th (@97InThe5th) February 26, 2020
We need a thread dedicated to her best quotes pic.twitter.com/tTxXcSFIeb
— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) February 26, 2020
Reports have stated that Maria’s announcement comes at the heels of her dismal form. While everyone expected Maria to hang up her boots eventually, this came as a shock to even the sharpest of her critics.
It is important to note that Sharapova’s career graph had fallen drastically. In fact, she found it difficult to make it past the first round in tournaments, after being handed the wild card.
Her last match was at the Australian Open. There, she lost to Donna Vekic in the very first round.
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Know More – “You Have To Be Happy In Your Own Skin” – Maria Sharapova
In the essay where Maria announced this, she thanked her team and her coaches. She even thanked her father for the years of practice.
As Maria steps into the next phase of her life, it looks like she has things planned up. The Russian owns her own candy line in the form of Sugarpova. In addition to this, she will be seen on the entrepreneurial reality show Shark Tank!
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We wish Maria all the best for her future endeavours.
What do you expect Sharapova to do post her retirement?
