Playback ’05] “Japanese fans are too excited” – “Fairy” Sharapova’s Fever in Japan

After the doping scandal, Sharapova’s game lacks the sparkle of yesteryear…

Sharapova won the Toray PPO ’05 in style. She even had time to play soccer on the sub-court after winning the tournament. Although she did not win Wimbledon for the second year in a row, she became the first Russian female player to be ranked No. 1 in the world in August.

Despite a period plagued by injuries, she continued to play at the top of the world and won the French Open in 2012, achieving a “complete domination” of the four major tournaments. She also won the French Open for the second time in 2002. However, she tested positive for doping at the Australian Open in January 2004. Sharapova was suspended for two years (later reduced to 15 months).’ She returned in 2005, but her world ranking at that point was 262nd. After her return, she was plagued by injuries and was unable to regain her former brilliance, and retired in February 2008.

During the period of her suspension due to doping allegations, Sharapova took a strategy course at Harvard Business School and studied team management as an intern in the NBA men’s professional basketball team, which was said to be for her life planning after retirement. It was believed that she would either enter Hollywood as an actress or become a businessman after her retirement.

In December 2008, Sharapova married British businessman Gilkes. Their first child was born in July 2010. She often posts recent photos on Instagram, and her every move is often covered as Internet news in Japan. Her popularity does not seem to be waning.