“Tennis- I’m saying goodbye, ” said Maria Sharapova in 2020 in an essay in Vanity Fair and Vogue. The Russian star had done it all in her career—five Grand Slam titles, a career Grand Slam, and even an Olympic silver medal. She first made waves at Wimbledon in 2004, stunning Serena Williams in straight sets to lift the trophy as a 17-year-old. Her final match came 16 years later when she fell to Donna Vekic in the opening round of the 2020 Australian Open. It has now been five years since she walked away from the sport. Could she be plotting a return—this time as a coach?

Maria Sharapova has never shown much interest in coaching, but she gave a mysterious response when asked about it. During an Instagram Q&A with her 4.6 million followers, she was hit with the question, “Will you ever consider coaching?” Her response?

A simple, puzzled-sounding, “Me??” Not exactly a firm denial, but not an enthusiastic yes, either. However, she made a firm statement on the matter five years ago.

A month after her last professional match, she engaged in a media interaction talking about her future plans. When directly asked about a potential comeback, Sharapova firmly stated, “No. I promise everyone,” as reported by the New York Times in March 2020. Similarly, when questioned about coaching, she responded with laughter and silence, strongly suggesting a negative answer. Therefore, it’s safe to conclude that a coaching or training role is unlikely for her in the foreseeable future. And why not?

The 37-year-old former World No. 1 has built a life that doesn’t revolve around the game anymore. She’s got business ventures, endorsements, and a personal life that keeps her busy. According to Celebrity Net Worth, she’s worth around $180 million. She’s engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes, and in July 2022, they welcomed their son, Theodore. For now, she seems happy being a mother, entrepreneur, and occasional tennis spectator. Coaching? It doesn’t seem to be on her radar.

If she ever did step into coaching, she’d bring a wealth of knowledge. As a player, the Russian worked with some of the best minds in tennis. Swede Thomas Hogstedt coached her from 2010 to 2013 and then again from 2018 to 2020. Dutchman Sven Groeneveld was by her side between 2014 and 2018. Together, they won seven titles, including the 2014 French Open. But would she want to be coach ever?

Women coaches in tennis are rare, especially on the WTA Tour. In 2023, it was estimated that fewer than 10% of the top 150 singles players and the top 50 doubles players had female coaches. A few notable examples include Lindsay Davenport with Madison Keys, Pam Shriver with Donna Vekic, and Conchita Martinez with Garbine Muguruza.

Rennae Stubbs has worked with big names like Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova, and Genie Bouchard. Could Sharapova join that list? It seems unlikely—but you never know. However, the former Russian tennis sensation is keeping in touch with tennis in her own way.

Maria Sharapova takes a trip down memory lane at Indian Wells

Even if coaching isn’t in her plans, Sharapova hasn’t completely distanced herself from tennis. Recently, she visited Indian Wells and shared a glimpse of her trip with fans. She attended the annual Desert Smash Charity event, which has been bringing together tennis stars and celebrities since 2004 to raise money for good causes. This year’s event, held at the luxurious La Quinta Resort & Club, saw appearances from Sharapova and fellow Russian Andrey Rublev.

She also posted a video of her drive to the tournament, reminiscing about her past. “The amount of years I did this drive,” she wrote, capturing the nostalgia of returning to familiar roads. The former World No.1 has won at the Californian desert twice, in 2006 and 2013, respectively.

In 2024, she had also made a trip to Wimbledon with her fiancé and son. She shared photos of little Theo walking on the famous grass courts and showing him her name on the winners’ board. A sweet family moment, with Sharapova reflecting on the history she made there. “My heart is full 🤍🍃,” she captioned the post.

If there were any doubts about her legacy, they were put to rest last October. It was announced that Maria Sharapova will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2025. A fitting tribute to a career that left a lasting impact on the sport. For now, coaching doesn’t seem to be in the cards. But Sharapova has always been full of surprises. Could we see her back in the tennis world one day?