Former Wimbledon champion looks unrecognisable as she returns to Centre Court four years after retiring from tennis

The former Wimbledon champion made a special return to centre courtShe looked unrecognisable as the tennis icon was welcomed back to SW19The Russian made an appearance at the iconic club ahead of first round games 

Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova looked almost unrecognisable as she appeared at the iconic club on Saturday ahead of this year's competition getting underway.

The Russian rocketed to fame when she beat top seed and defending champion Serena Williams on Centre Court to win her first Grand Slam at just 17 in 2004 and become known for her trademark long blonde hair.

But after retiring in 2020, Sharapova has favoured a more natural look and after the former player shared a recent picture on her Instagram page, a number of fans were in agreement, after a double take.

During her storied time on court, Sharapova become the first Russian player to complete the career Grand Slam after wins in Melbourne, New York, Paris and London and the third-youngest woman to triumph at Wimbledon.

Now she is back at Wimbledon in a non-playing capacity and was welcomed back at SW19 for an afternoon that involved plenty of posing out on centre court.

Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova looked almost unrecognisable as she appeared at the iconic club

The Russian rocketed to fame when she won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon aged just 17 in 2004

The first round of Wimbledon gets started on Monday, with Emma Raducanu amongst Britain's women players attempting to cause an upset at the tournament.

Sharapova retired from playing four years ago after battling with injuries, but had the final years of her time in the sport marred by a failed drugs test.

A 2016 test saw Sharapova suspended for two years after she was found to have ingested meldonium, a substance which had been banned at the start of that year, ahead of the Australian Open.

Sharapova retired from playing four years ago after battling with injuries

Sharapova opted for a near all-black ensemble for the trip back to Wimbledon

Her suspension was later reduced to 15 months after she was found to have taken the drug as per her doctor's advice.

Catching the eye with the glowing blonde hair that Sharapova donned for the majority of her stellar career, she has now resorted to a brunette look at the age of 37.

She opted for a near all-black ensemble for the trip back to Wimbledon - a striking change to the whites previously worn by Sharapova at the famous grass tennis club.

Her last appearance as a player at Wimbledon came in 2010 when Sharapova retired from her first round contest against Pauline Parmentier with an injury.