Sports and Players: Maria Sharapova Russian Tennis Player

Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (born April 19, 1987) is a Russian professional tennis player and a former World No. 1. A US-resident since 1994, Sharapova has won 23 WTA singles titles, including three Grand Slam singles titles at the 2004 Wimbledon, 2006 US Open and 2008 Australian Open. She has also won the year-end invitational WTA Tour Championships in 2004. The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has ranked her World No. 1 in singles on four separate occasions. She became the World No. 1 for the first time on Aug 22, 2005 and last regained this ranking for the fourth time on May 19, 2008. She is currently ranked World No. 6. Maria has been in 5 Grand Slam finals. Her Grand Slam final record is 3-2.

Full name: Maria Yuryevna Sharapova

Nationality: Russia

Residence: Bradenton, Florida, USA

Born: April 19, 1987 (age 24) Nyagan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union

Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)

Turned professional: April 19, 2001

Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $16,068,154