Maria Sharapova on Why She Loves the U.S. Open, Her Friendship With Serena Williams, and Her Favourite Resorts

Among the many tennis champion-turned-entrepreneur’s favourite shows are the Nike attire she wore, in addition to the branded tennis cans. “I really like constructing manufacturers, so seeing the visible and inventive facets like that gave me a number of concepts,” she stated.

However essentially the most epic a part of her ITHF induction weekend got here within the type of a shock she saved for months: asking her on-court rival of practically 15 years, none aside from Serena Williams, to introduce her.

“That was a full-circle second,” Sharapova admits of the shock. “It began once I was a younger lady watching her play with Venus, and simply being so impressed by their energy and the way wonderful they have been at their craft. Then dealing with Serena for therefore a few years and now having her accepting and inducting me into the Corridor of Fame.” 

Their well-known rivalry had began cooling behind the scenes, satirically by way of the course of a number of Met Galas, as their conversations grew longer with out the stress of the scoreboard looming over them. Quickly they found that not solely have been they extra alike than they thought, however that maybe they might really be associates, a sentiment on show by way of their fun-loving jabs at each other through the ceremony. Regardless of Williams’ tight schedule, Sharapova stated her new pal even stayed for the celebration after the induction.  

Well-known for her laser-focused grit and grind—whether or not it was taking part in at Wimbledon (her favourite Grand Slam), the Stuttgart Open (her different favourite event), or New York (her favourite metropolis to play in)—Sharapova did not have a lot time to journey for enjoyable till extra not too long ago. “I solely began taking holidays once I was like 20 years outdated, already within the midst of my profession,” she stated, explaining that with the tennis tour schedule, it was all the time only one week in November after the ultimate event of the season in Asia. However she took benefit of the placement, taking quite a few journeys to Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan, with the latter being her favourite.   

She not too long ago revisited Japan, staying in any respect three Aman Resorts—Aman Tokyo, Aman Kyoto, and Amanemu in Ise-Shima—as a part of her position because the model’s international wellness ambassador. Whereas having fun with the distinctive experiences at every, she was particularly taken by the Tokyo property, calling it “simply important, like one other degree of service,” additionally loving its Japanese breakfast and conventional baths.

“In Kyoto, I might get up actually early, jetlagged, and simply be on this outside sizzling spring by myself as the sunshine was coming by way of,” she stated, including, “I would like that proper now!”

She was already a fan of Aman lodges from her years on the street, so this partnership is one other full-circle second. “I might take my mother and my associates to a unique Aman each season throughout my restricted day off. To now align the entire issues that I utilized into my profession into my partnership with Aman has been actually particular.”

One other side she’s taken into her post-court life is embracing the outside. Whereas she admitted that jet lag “continues to be a tough one to beat,” her go-to transfer was to bond with nature. “I simply like to run or stroll, and if I can do it barefoot on grass, that’s useful,” Sharapova stated. “I used to try this as a part of my restoration once I performed, so there are just a few classes I’ve taken into retirement.”

She additionally hopes to proceed embracing quiet journey, particularly on street journeys, mentioning that she savors “being in command of your vacation spot, if you wish to pivot and go elsewhere” and liking “the liberty of with the ability to cease off and take images.” Certainly one of her favourite street journeys is up the California shoreline, alongside the “most lovely cliffs, whether or not it’s Huge Sur or all the way in which to Napa,” particularly having fun with the farm-to-table meals tradition that “is even higher now than it was years in the past.” However then she pauses and admits, “I am saying it as if I do that fairly often. I actually do not. However I’ve completed it, and I actually like it.” 

In any case, lately, Sharapova’s high precedence is her son, three-year-old Theodore. Although he usually stays with household when she travels for work, the toddler positively has had his passport stamped, with one of the memorable household holidays being a journey to Greece this previous summer season. “He is now at that age the place he is swimming a bit of bit extra on his personal,” she stated. “Seeing that progress, you develop into a proud mother, like, ‘Oh, you do not want floats, you are able to do it by yourself.’”

Whereas the lengthy journeys will be difficult with the toddler, she has settled into this new journey model. “You simply should lean into figuring out it isn’t going to be as clean as you want, and keep in mind that you may be comfortable on the opposite aspect of it,” the professional stated.

However Sharapova revels within the alternative to point out him the world. “Journey has actually impacted me in so many constructive methods,” she stated of eager to instill that very same spirit in her son. “Culturally, you lean into issues which might be unfamiliar, whether or not it is a language barrier or meals tradition,” Sharapova stated. “It is a actually wholesome distraction. It will get you out of your day by day routine. It additionally challenges your ideas, since you normally have a sure lifestyle, and then you definitely go to a rustic or state they usually cook dinner otherwise, or they store for his or her groceries otherwise, or their artwork is totally different. The thought of exploring and opening your thoughts to different locations is fascinating.”