Remember when Maria Sharapova was one of the biggest stars in tennis?
Yeah.
Neither does the internet, apparently.
Sharapova may have retired from professional tennis years ago, but she has hardly disappeared. The former world No. 1 remains heavily involved in the sport and continues to make appearances around major tennis events.
Now, Serena Williams’ return to the U.S. Open has brought Sharapova back into the conversation.
Sharapova recently praised Williams’ comeback, calling the effort from the mother of two special and highlighting the work required to return to the highest level.
But while tennis fans were busy talking about Serena, plenty of them were reminded of another tennis icon.
Sharapova.
The Russian star won five Grand Slam singles titles during her career and became one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.
And, yes, she still looks the part.
Sharapova has transitioned into business, media and other projects since retiring. She recently launched the Pretty Tough podcast and continues to make appearances around the sport.
For longtime tennis fans, seeing Sharapova back around the biggest tournaments is a pretty good reminder of how loaded the sport was during that era.
Serena is back.
Venus is back.
Sharapova is still around.
Suddenly, tennis fans have plenty of reasons to feel like it is 2010 again.
And we’re not exactly mad about it.
