Introduction
Maria Sharapova's autobiography "Unstoppable" offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and career of one of tennis's biggest stars. From her humble beginnings in Russia to becoming a Grand Slam champion and world #1 player, Sharapova shares the triumphs, challenges, and defining moments that shaped her remarkable journey in professional tennis.
More than just a chronicle of wins and losses, this book provides insight into the mindset, work ethic, and resilience required to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Sharapova's story is one of unwavering determination, sacrifice, and the pursuit of excellence against all odds. Through her unique perspective, readers gain an understanding of what it truly takes to become a champion.
Early Years in Russia
Maria Sharapova was born in 1987 in Nyagan, Siberia to Yelena and Yuri Sharapov. Her parents had fled their home in Belarus after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. When Maria was two years old, the family moved to Sochi, a resort town on the Black Sea coast of Russia.
It was in Sochi that Maria's tennis journey began. One day when she was four years old, her father took her to a local tennis court where he was practicing. Bored, Maria picked up a spare racket and started hitting balls. Her natural talent and intense focus were immediately apparent. Recognizing his daughter's potential, Yuri soon began taking Maria to lessons with a proper coach.
While tennis quickly became a major focus, Maria's early childhood was not entirely consumed by the sport. She describes a loving home environment, with frequent visits from family and friends. Her mother taught her to read and write in Russian, insisting that she be well-rounded and educated beyond just tennis. Still, Maria's parents were quite protective, rarely allowing her to play outside with other children except for tennis.
Maria's first real coach was Yuri Yudkin, a local tennis legend in Sochi. Yudkin immediately recognized Maria's extraordinary talent and dedication. Even at a very young age, she could remain intensely focused on tennis for hours, never tiring of repeating the same drills over and over. Yudkin referred to her as the "Mozart of tennis."
The Move to America
In 1993, when Maria was just six years old, Coach Yudkin told her father that if they wanted to nurture Maria's immense talent, they would need to leave Russia for better training opportunities. The family set their sights on moving to America, specifically Florida, where many top young tennis players trained.
Getting to America was no easy feat for the Sharapovs. Yuri wrote to the coach of the Russian junior national tennis team, which was training in Florida, asking if Maria could join them despite being much younger than the other players. Amazingly, the coach agreed to let her come practice with the team.
The next hurdle was obtaining visas, which was extremely difficult for Russians at that time. Somehow, Yuri managed to secure three-year visas for himself and Maria. This meant Maria's mother would have to stay behind in Russia.
When Maria and her father arrived in Florida, they faced immediate setbacks. The coach who had invited them was not there, and no one believed their story at first. They were turned away from the training academy in Boca Raton where they had planned to stay.
Undeterred, Yuri took Maria to the prestigious Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida. There, Maria's talent was quickly recognized. She was given funding to train for free and eat meals with the other players. However, life remained difficult, especially for Yuri. He worked multiple jobs in construction and landscaping to make ends meet while also learning English and everything he could about the tennis world to help manage Maria's budding career.
Early Training and Development
At the Bollettieri Academy, Maria worked tirelessly to develop her skills and tennis persona. She was smaller than the other players and had to use a cut-down racket at first. But she adapted quickly and her fierce competitiveness emerged. Maria refused to make friends with the other players, seeing them only as rivals to be defeated.
This intensity sometimes led to friction. The wealthy parents of other students couldn't accept that their children were being beaten by this small Russian girl. As a result, Maria was eventually asked to leave the Bollettieri Academy.
She then began training at a rival academy called El Conquistador, run by former pro player Sekou Bangoura. However, problems arose there as well. Unlike Bollettieri's, this academy did not offer Maria free training. Yuri worked as a trainer to cover the costs, but was soon fired by Bangoura, who wanted more control over Maria's development.
Unable to pay the fees, Yuri and Maria were forced to leave El Conquistador. They found themselves temporarily homeless until a friend named Bob Kane offered to let them stay at his house. Maria enjoyed this period, living in a big, fancy home and using the family's private tennis court.
After about a year with the Kanes, Nick Bollettieri invited Maria back to his academy on a full scholarship. By this time, Maria was nine years old and her game was rapidly improving. Though still not physically imposing, she was hitting the ball harder and her ability to concentrate remained unmatched. Her tournament results skyrocketed and she soon became one of the top-ranked players in America for her age group.
Professional Representation and Coaching
At age 11, Maria's talent caught the eye of the International Management Group (IMG), a major sports agency. In an unusual move for such a young player, IMG began paying Maria $100,000 per year with the expectation of recouping their investment once she turned pro. Nike also signed her to a $50,000 annual sponsorship deal.
Two key figures entered Maria's life around this time. Max Eisenbud, a young sports agent and trainer from IMG, began coaching Maria and would become a close friend and trusted advisor throughout her career. Robert Lansdorp, who had coached other tennis greats like Tracy Austin, also started working with Maria. They would fly to Los Angeles monthly for intensive training sessions with Lansdorp.
Lansdorp's coaching style was tough and direct, which suited Maria perfectly. He had her hit the same shots repeatedly, focusing on hitting the ball hard and flat over the net. Under his guidance, Maria's game improved dramatically. She continued working with Lansdorp until she was about 15 years old.
During this period, Maria's mother was finally able to join them in Florida after a long and difficult visa process. Having her family reunited after nearly nine years apart was a joyous moment for Maria.
Teenage Years and Turning Pro
When Maria hit her teenage years, she experienced a significant growth spurt that initially threw off her game. Her newly gangly body felt awkward and led to a string of losses. However, Maria quickly adapted and learned to harness the power of her changing physique.
At 14, while still a junior in high school, Maria entered her first professional tournament near Sarasota, Florida. Though she lost the match, her performance was impressive. She demonstrated good ball-striking and a willingness to play aggressively from the baseline.
This experience motivated Maria to focus intensely on improving her serve. With her taller, stronger frame and exceptionally flexible shoulders, she developed a powerful serving motion. Her Australian coach at Bollettieri's, Peter McGraw, helped her refine this weapon.
In 2003, at age 16, Maria became eligible to compete full-time on the professional tour. Her first Grand Slam tournament, the Australian Open, was a disappointment as she failed to win a match. But Maria didn't let this setback discourage her. She entered numerous smaller tournaments to gain experience and improve her world ranking.
By the time Wimbledon came around in June 2003, Maria was ranked 47th in the world. She made it to the fourth round, scoring an impressive upset over world #4 Jelena Dokic along the way. This boosted Maria's confidence tremendously. Later that year, she won her first professional title at the Japan Open. By the end of 2003, her ranking had climbed to #32 in the world.
Breakthrough at Wimbledon
The following year, 2004, brought Maria's true breakthrough moment. At just 17 years old, she won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. This wasn't just any victory – she defeated the reigning champion and perennial favorite Serena Williams in the final.
Wimbledon had always held a special place in Maria's heart. The tradition, pageantry, and prestige of the tournament made it feel grander than the other majors. Winning there, especially against a player of Williams' caliber, was a dream come true for Maria.
Earlier that year, Maria had lost to Williams at the Miami Open. The age difference and Williams' dominance at Grand Slams made her seem almost unbeatable. But Maria's fierce competitiveness and self-belief allowed her to overcome the odds and claim the Wimbledon title.
This victory catapulted Maria to global stardom. She became an overnight sensation, known not just for her tennis skills but also for her looks and marketability. Endorsement deals poured in, making her one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world.
Rise to World #1
Maria's Wimbledon triumph marked the beginning of several great years in her career. By the summer of 2005, at just 18 years old, she reached the pinnacle of the sport – the world #1 ranking.
Reflecting on this achievement, Maria believes it came not from any dramatic improvement in her skills or physical abilities, but from a deeper understanding of her game. She had learned to recognize her strengths and weaknesses, allowing her to maximize her potential on the court.
However, reaching #1 didn't mean Maria could relax. If anything, it made her work even harder. She was determined to prove that her success wasn't a fluke and to avoid the fate of other players who briefly reached the top only to quickly fade away.
Maintaining the #1 ranking proved challenging. Other players were constantly gunning for her, eager to claim the scalp of the top-ranked player. Maria had to stay intensely focused, always concentrating on the next match rather than dwelling on past successes.
In 2006, Maria faced a major test at the US Open. She had to defeat both the world #1 Amélie Mauresmo in the semifinals and #2 Justine Henin in the final. Henin had beaten Maria in their four previous meetings, making the challenge even greater. But Maria rose to the occasion, overcoming both opponents to claim her second Grand Slam title.
Challenges and Changes
The year 2008 brought significant changes and challenges for Maria. She started the year on a high note, winning the Australian Open for her third Grand Slam title. However, the rest of the year proved difficult.
Maria made the tough decision to part ways with her longtime coach Robert Lansdorp. While sad to end their working relationship, she felt it was necessary for her continued growth as a player. Even more difficult was her choice to stop having her father Yuri as a coach. This wasn't due to any falling out – Maria simply wanted to prove she could succeed on her own at this stage of her career. She chose Michael Joyce as her new coach.
Later that year, Maria began experiencing shoulder pain. Medical examinations revealed a torn tendon that required surgery. This was a frightening prospect for Maria, as it meant temporarily losing control of her career and facing an uncertain recovery process.
The surgery took place in October, followed by rehabilitation in Arizona. Though Maria was back on the court by Christmas, things weren't the same. Her shoulder was weaker, and she could no longer rely on the powerful serve that had been a key weapon in her game. The serve motion – pulling her shoulder far back and thrusting it forward forcefully – had likely contributed to the tendon tear.
Maria had to essentially reinvent her game. She entered some smaller tournaments to regain her form but suffered many losses. Her world ranking plummeted out of the top 10. A particularly stinging defeat came against Alona Bondarenko, a player Maria would have easily beaten before her injury.
However, these setbacks only fueled Maria's determination. She used the losses as motivation to work even harder and prove she could return to the top of the game.
Comeback and French Open Victory
Maria's road back to the top was long and challenging, but her trademark determination never wavered. She was intent on winning another Grand Slam title and not being remembered as a promising star whose career was derailed by injury.
Slowly but surely, Maria's results began to improve. Her ranking climbed back into the top 5, and she started contending for major titles again. She reached the finals of Wimbledon in 2011 and the Australian Open in 2012, coming tantalizingly close to that elusive post-surgery Grand Slam victory.
Finally, in 2012, Maria achieved her goal in spectacular fashion by winning the French Open. This victory was especially sweet because it was the only major title she hadn't yet won. By claiming the French Open, Maria completed a Career Grand Slam – winning all four major tournaments over the course of her career. She joined an elite group of just nine women who had accomplished this feat, including legends like Billie Jean King, Steffi Graf, and Serena Williams.
The final against Italy's Sara Errani showcased Maria at her best. Her shots were precise, her court coverage excellent, and her mental game rock solid. The victory was made even more meaningful by the fact that she had done it without her father by her side, proving her independence and resilience.
Winning the French Open after her shoulder surgery was a testament to Maria's ability to adapt and overcome adversity. She had reinvented her game, compensating for the loss of her powerful serve with improved movement and tactical awareness. This triumph silenced doubters who thought her best days were behind her and reestablished Maria as one of the top players in the world.
The Meldonium Controversy
In 2016, as Maria was entering her late twenties and beginning to contemplate the eventual end of her career, she faced an unexpected and severe challenge. After the Australian Open that year, she received a letter from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) informing her that she had failed a drug test.
The substance in question was meldonium, which Maria had never heard of. Upon investigation, she realized it was an ingredient in Mildronate, a medication she had been taking for years. A family doctor had prescribed it to her as a teenager when she was experiencing frequent bouts of flu and showing some abnormalities on electrocardiogram tests.
The situation was complicated by the fact that meldonium had only been added to the banned substance list on January 1st of that year, and the ITF had not done a thorough job of informing players about the change. Nonetheless, Maria found herself at the center of a media firestorm, with many calling her a cheater and a liar.
Maria faced two separate hearings – one with the ITF and another with an independent arbitration panel. The ITF tribunal, which Maria felt was biased against her, imposed a two-year ban from professional tennis. However, the arbitration panel took a more nuanced view. They ruled that while Maria could have been more diligent in checking the updated banned substance list, she had not intentionally doped. They were also critical of the ITF's poor communication about the ban. As a result, Maria's suspension was reduced to 15 months.
This experience was emotionally draining for Maria, but it also rekindled her competitive fire. Rather than pushing her towards retirement, the controversy made her more determined than ever to return to the tennis court and prove herself once again.
Lessons in Resilience and Determination
Throughout her autobiography, Maria Sharapova's unwavering determination and mental toughness shine through as defining characteristics. From her earliest days on the tennis court in Russia to her battles with injury and controversy later in her career, Maria consistently demonstrated an ability to overcome obstacles and push herself to new heights.
One of the key lessons from Maria's story is the importance of focus and concentration. Even as a young child, she had an exceptional ability to block out distractions and dedicate herself completely to the task at hand. This intense focus allowed her to improve rapidly and set herself apart from her peers.
Maria's journey also highlights the value of adaptability. When faced with challenges like her shoulder injury or changes in the competitive landscape, she was willing to reinvent her game and find new ways to succeed. This flexibility, combined with her relentless work ethic, enabled her to remain at the top of the sport for many years.
The book also provides insight into the sacrifices required to reach the highest levels of professional sports. Maria and her father left behind their life in Russia, enduring years of separation from her mother, financial hardship, and countless hours of grueling practice. These sacrifices underscore the depth of commitment needed to achieve greatness in any field.
Another important theme is the role of support systems in an athlete's success. While Maria's individual talent and drive were crucial, she also benefited greatly from the unwavering support of her parents, coaches like Robert Lansdorp, and advisors like Max Eisenbud. These relationships provided the foundation that allowed her to flourish as both a person and an athlete.
The Mental Game of Tennis
Maria's account offers valuable insights into the psychological aspects of professional tennis. She describes how she developed her intimidating on-court persona, refusing to make eye contact with opponents or show any signs of weakness. This mental toughness became a key weapon in her arsenal, often unsettling her rivals before a match even began.
The book also delves into how Maria handled the pressures of being a top player. She discusses the challenge of maintaining her ranking, dealing with the constant scrutiny from media and fans, and managing the expectations that came with her early success. Her ability to stay focused on improvement rather than dwelling on past accomplishments was crucial to her longevity in the sport.
Maria's approach to setbacks and losses is particularly instructive. Rather than becoming discouraged, she used defeats as motivation to work harder and improve her game. This resilience was evident throughout her career, from her early struggles in Florida to her comeback from shoulder surgery and beyond.
The Business of Tennis
"Unstoppable" also provides a glimpse into the business side of professional tennis. Maria discusses her early sponsorship deals with companies like Nike and IMG, which began when she was still a junior player. These agreements provided crucial financial support but also added pressure to succeed at a young age.
As her career progressed and she achieved greater success, Maria became one of the most marketable athletes in the world. She offers insights into how she balanced her tennis career with her growing business interests, including her candy company Sugarpova. This aspect of the book highlights the additional challenges faced by modern athletes who must manage their personal brand alongside their sporting pursuits.
Maria also touches on the politics and governance of tennis, particularly in her account of the meldonium controversy. Her experience sheds light on the complexities of anti-doping regulations and the power dynamics between players and governing bodies in professional sports.
Reflections on a Career
As Maria looks back on her career in the latter part of the book, she offers thoughtful reflections on what tennis has meant to her. Despite the challenges and sacrifices, her love for the sport remains evident. She expresses gratitude for the opportunities tennis has provided her, from traveling the world to achieving financial security for her family.
Maria also considers her legacy in the sport. While her five Grand Slam titles and stint as world #1 cement her place among tennis greats, she seems equally proud of the resilience and fighting spirit she displayed throughout her career. She hopes to be remembered not just for her victories, but for her ability to overcome adversity and continually reinvent herself.
The book concludes with Maria looking towards the future. While she expresses some uncertainty about life after tennis, she approaches this new chapter with the same determination and optimism that characterized her playing career. She sees opportunities for growth and new challenges, both in business and in her personal life.
Final Thoughts
"Unstoppable" is more than just a recounting of Maria Sharapova's tennis accomplishments. It's a story of immigrant success, of a father's dedication to his daughter's dream, and of a young woman's relentless pursuit of excellence. Through her experiences, readers gain insight into what it truly takes to become a champion in the highly competitive world of professional tennis.
Maria's journey from a small town in Russia to the center courts of Grand Slam tournaments is a testament to the power of hard work, focus, and unwavering self-belief. Her ability to overcome obstacles – whether they be financial hardships, career-threatening injuries, or damaging controversies – provides inspiration that extends far beyond the tennis court.
The book also offers a candid look at the realities of life as a professional athlete. Maria doesn't shy away from discussing the loneliness, pressure, and physical toll that come with competing at the highest level. Her honesty about these challenges makes her triumphs all the more impressive and relatable.
Ultimately, "Unstoppable" is a story about passion – for tennis, for competition, for self-improvement. Maria's love for the game shines through even in her descriptions of the most difficult moments of her career. This passion, combined with her incredible work ethic and mental toughness, allowed her to achieve heights that few athletes ever reach.
For tennis fans, the book provides fascinating behind-the-scenes details about life on the professional tour and insights into some of the sport's biggest moments over the past two decades. For those less familiar with tennis, it's an engaging tale of perseverance and the pursuit of excellence that transcends any particular sport or field.
Maria Sharapova's autobiography serves as both a celebration of her remarkable career and an inspiration to anyone facing their own challenges. It reminds us that with enough determination, focus, and support, we all have the potential to be unstoppable in pursuit of our goals.