Maria Sharapova, the retired tennis star and five-time Grand Slam champion, recently expressed her admiration for fellow tennis icon Serena Williams as she makes her return to the sport while embracing motherhood. Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at The Honest Company’s "Mother of All Standards" event, Sharapova highlighted the dedication and unseen efforts that Williams, a mother of two, puts into her training and preparation for her comeback.
Williams, who is set to compete in the 2026 US Open, will make her doubles return alongside her sister Venus Williams. This marks a significant moment as it will be her first time back on the court in a competitive setting since 2022. Sharapova, who welcomed her own son, Theo, in July 2022, understands the challenges of balancing motherhood with professional commitments and praised Williams for setting a strong example for her children.
“I love women that set such a strong example for their kids because when you lead by example, you don’t need to say too many things. That is your example,” Sharapova remarked during the event held on September 1. This sentiment underscores the importance of role models in sports, especially for young girls and aspiring athletes.
Sharapova, who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in August 2022, knows firsthand the rigorous demands of professional tennis. She emphasized the extensive training, recovery, and preparation that goes unnoticed by the public. “The fact that she’s able to do that and also train for that. It’s not just the moment on the court and walking onto center court, it’s all the training that you do,” she explained. “It’s the recovery that you put in, the ways that you fuel your body, the preparation.”
Williams has had an illustrious career, winning six US Open titles and establishing herself as one of the greatest players in tennis history. Her return to the court after a four-year hiatus has generated excitement among fans and fellow athletes alike. Last week, she teamed up with Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz for mixed doubles, showcasing her readiness to compete at a high level once again.
In her own journey, Sharapova is embracing life after retirement, focusing on motherhood and various passion projects, including her podcast, "Pretty Tough." She expressed her contentment with this new chapter, stating, “I’ve had such a great, healthy relationship with the sport for so many years and I love the chapter that I’m in. I love being a mom.”
At the same event, Sharapova shared the stage with Allyson Felix, a legendary track and field athlete and mother of two, who is also preparing for a comeback as she aims for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The conversation between the two mothers highlighted the challenges and triumphs of balancing professional aspirations with family life. “We put a lot on our plate, but we’re able to get through it,” Sharapova noted, emphasizing the resilience of women in sports.
Sharapova's reflections on Williams and Felix resonate with many women who strive to balance their careers and motherhood. “Women are powerful and dynamic and ambitious,” she stated. “And just because we stop a certain career to have children and dedicate our focus to motherhood doesn’t mean that we can’t pursue our dreams.” With inspiring figures like Williams and Felix leading the way, the narrative around women in sports continues to evolve, showcasing their strength and determination to excel both on and off the field.
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