“Incorporating women into positions of power is not merely a social imperative; it is a savvy and competitive business strategy.” These are the powerful words of Maria Sharapova, and they couldn’t ring truer. Once known for dominating the tennis courts, the former World No. 1 is equally unstoppable off the court when it comes to championing women’s rights and celebrating their impact. Yet again, she is turning heads with her thought-provoking article on the seismic shift female athletes are creating in the world of business and beyond. And guess what? She couldn’t be prouder of her latest work.

The former Russian tennis sensation swapped her rackets for a pen as she wrote an article for The Business of Fashion on January 14. She deliberated on how modern day female athletes like Serena Williams, Simone Biles, and Naomi Osaka did not just rule the world of sports, but also created a place for themselves in the business domain. Keenly, she pointed out that one major reason behind this was the brand partnerships they secured throughout their careers.

Sharapova took to her Instagram and shared her happiness over penning the article on a topic close to her heart. “Couldn’t be more proud to write a piece highlighting the power and brands of female athletes and the role brands play within the ecosystem ✨✨,” she wrote. This highlights her dedication to continuously working for the betterment of women and encouraging them to explore the business arena as well. And here’s the best part: Sharapova herself isn’t just cheering from the sidelines; she’s right in the thick of it.

Maria Sharapova witnessed support from many brands during her playing days including Nike. Soon, she started to develop immense business acumen, with her initiatives beginning over a decade ago. In 2012, the Russian great launched a premium candy business, Sugarpova. She invested $500,000 of her own money and has continued to hold 100% of the stakes. Besides, the former player also picked up stakes in Public.com and crypto firm MoonPay, as well as a board seat with Moncler Group, a fashion company. 

Sharapova also captured headlines in August last year after making an investment in Co-fertility. The innovative company is a service-oriented venture that allows women to freeze their eggs and help them conceive as and when they desire. But Sharapova is not the only female athlete to step into the world of business. Be it Serena Williams’ venture capital fund Serena Ventures and make-up brand WYN, or Naomi Osaka’s agency, Evolve, WTA stars are stepping into the business arena in large numbers. And hence, Sharapova’s latest article is definitely timely and inspirational for many budding players and entrepreneurs. And when it comes to Sharapova’s own venture, one can rightly say that tennis led her path into the business domain. 

When Maria Sharapova opened up about the reason behind entering the business world

By the time Maria Sharapova launched Sugarpova, she had already had four Slam titles under her belt. Hence, starting a business venture was not an easy call due to the time and effort its growth would have needed. However, tennis itself motivated the star player to take the decision and Sharapova herself opened up about this in an interaction with the Entrepreneur.

In an interaction in May last year, Sharapova said, “The entrepreneurial space was a very natural evolution of being an athlete.”  Continuing further, she shared, “It was actually something I was passionate about at the beginning of my tennis career, because I realized that, as a woman, I had only a certain amount of time to play, and that at a certain point I would want to start a family. I didn’t know how long my body would allow me to play, and so I started setting up foundations in business early on, and that really helped shape my thoughts and perspective.”

As someone who’s built her own successful business empire, Maria Sharapova knows firsthand the power and potential of women in leadership. And with trailblazers like Serena and her leading the charge by example, the future is looking bold, brilliant, and undeniably female-driven.