Maria Sharapova on the necessity of planning a career beyond tennis

The five-time Grand Slam champion, who retired in 2020 at age 32, leveraged her status as the world’s highest-paid female athlete to gain access to elite corporate environments. During breaks from competition, she sought internships and educational opportunities, including a stint shadowing NBA commissioner Adam Silver. These efforts were designed to translate her public profile into long-term financial security and professional development.

Sharapova is part of a growing cohort of athletes who actively treat their playing careers as a precursor to business ventures. Serena Williams launched her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, while still competing, while Tom Brady spent a decade preparing for a post-NFL life that now includes sports team ownership and a high-profile broadcasting career. For Sharapova, the strategy was rooted in a pragmatic acknowledgment of the industry's limitations: she understood early on that she had to cultivate skills in other arenas to ensure her relevance would outlast her physical performance.