Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon? Tennis icon teases SW19 appearance
Maria Sharapova smiling at 2023 US Open
Maria Sharapova has alluded to a potential appearance at Wimbledon this summer – two decades on from her historic triumph at the All England Club.
In a post on her Instagram Story, Sharapova heavily implied she would be back at SW19 this summer, for the first time since hanging up her racket in February 2020.
The Russian last appeared at Wimbledon in 2019 when she played her last match at the event, retiring injured in her opening-round contest against Pauline Parmentier.
This year marks twenty years since the 37-year-old, a former world No 1 and five-time Grand Slam champion, famously won the first of her major titles at the tournament.
Sharapova became one of the youngest Grand Slam champions ever aged only 17, downing Serena Williams in straight sets to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish.
That win sent the Russian into superstardom, and she became one of the most famous sportspeople in the world across the next decade or so.
Sharapova’s allusion to a potential Wimbledon showing this coming fortnight came in response to a reel posted on the tournament’s Instagram page.
The post highlighted how the teenager memorably tried to ring her mum directly from Centre Court after her emotional victory – but was unable to get signal as her mum was flying at the time.
Sharapova proceeded to share the reel onto her Instagram Story, and made an intriguing comment.
She wrote: “I’ll find out if my cell reception has improved from Center Court this year.”
There is yet no official confirmation from the All England Club that she will make an appearance, but all eyes will now be on whether she does visit – likely in commemoration of her win.
She has been seen frequently at the US Open and other events in the US since her retirement – but is yet to make an appearance at the Australian Open, French Open, or SW19.
Earlier this month, the tournament confirmed that four legends of the sport would be honoured at the Championships this summer.
Leading the list is all-time great Chris Evert, marking the 50th anniversary of her first triumph at the tournament, while the tournament will also recognise the 30th anniversary of Conchita Martinez’s victory.
1992 champion and tennis icon Andre Agassi will also receive a special reception this year, as will former finalist Ken Rosewall – widely considered the best male player to never lift the title.
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