In a strikingly honest interview, five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has revealed that at one point during her illustrious career, she came close to giving up tennis entirely.
Speaking on the *Power Players* podcast, the former World No. 1 opened up about the emotional toll of fame, injury, and controversy, admitting that the pressure and constant scrutiny nearly pushed her to the brink.
“There were moments when I truly asked myself, ‘Is this worth it?’” Sharapova said. “I almost gave up tennis — not because I didn’t love the game, but because everything around it became too much.”
Sharapova cited her grueling comeback from shoulder surgeries, as well as the backlash following her 2016 suspension, as pivotal low points. The combination of physical pain, public criticism, and isolation, she said, made her question whether returning was even the right decision.
“There were days I couldn’t pick up a racket without pain. And there were nights I felt completely alone, wondering if the world would ever see me the same again,” she recalled.
But the turning point came from deep within. “I had to rebuild my confidence, my body, and my identity,” she said. “It wasn’t about proving people wrong — it was about proving to *myself* that I could rise again.”
Sharapova ultimately made a successful return to the court before retiring in 2020. Since then, she’s become a thriving entrepreneur and investor, but her latest revelation offers a rare glimpse into the internal battles that came with her global stardom.
“I may have almost walked away,” she said, “but I’m proud I didn’t. Tennis gave me everything — and I fought for it.”
Her story is now inspiring a new generation of athletes to persevere, reminding them that even champions have moments of doubt — and that true greatness often comes from pushing through them.
