“You can’t really shy away from noise if you want to be a champion in New York City,” said Maria Sharapova, who initially didn’t enjoy playing or being in the city. However, after winning her first hard-court grand slam at the 2006 US Open, she learned to embrace its energy. “Ever since my victory in 2006, I’ve loved it.” Though she retired from professional tennis in 2020, the concern of missing a “critical biomechanical element” in her serve likely still lingers.
On Friday, Sharapova and her fiancé, Alexander Gilkes, attended the US Open during the intense semifinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Emma Navarro. Despite Navarro’s efforts to rally the home crowd, Sabalenka’s dominance was undeniable. Sharapova, a former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam winner (including her 2004 Wimbledon title), stunned fans by appearing in a chic yellow outfit.
Aside from Sabalenka’s victory, another highlight was Sharapova’s quick wit during the match. Caught on camera in a serious conversation with her fiancé, the US Open’s official X account shared a clip of her, captioning it, “She’s an icon, and she’s the moment. Great to have you tonight, MariaSharapova!” Sharapova humorously responded, saying, “I look like I just missed a second serve return on break point and saw my coach’s reaction.”