From Center Court to the Boardroom: Maria Sharapova on Reinvention, Resilience, and Building Beyond Sports
Maria Sharapova didn’t just dominate tennis — she transformed it.
From winning Wimbledon at just 17 to becoming the world’s highest-paid female athlete, Sharapova crafted a legacy that blended fierce athleticism with smart business acumen. But her post-tennis reinvention might be even more instructive for entrepreneurs.
In a recent interview with David Rubenstein, Sharapova shared the behind-the-scenes story of her evolution — from a driven immigrant chasing a racket in Florida to a thoughtful investor sitting on luxury brand boards. Her journey is packed with lessons in discipline, reinvention, and the courage to leave a world where you were on top.
The Moment Everything Changed: “Winning Wimbledon is the best thing that’s ever happened to me”
In 2004, Maria Sharapova stunned the world — and Serena Williams — to win Wimbledon. She was just 17.
Her celebration was refreshingly humble. “After I won Wimbledon,” she told Rubenstein, “my agent upgraded us to a nicer hotel… it had a yellow rubber duck by the bath. I called him and said, ‘Winning Wimbledon is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.’”
That victory catapulted her into global stardom. But as she quickly learned, success at the top is fragile. “While you're winning, everyone else is training to beat you in the next tournament.”
The Power of Saying No and the Discipline Behind a Yes
Early fame brought a rush of opportunities. But instead of overextending, Sharapova cultivated a long-term mindset: "You have the opportunity to say yes to so many things when actually you should be saying no."
Sharapova credits her longevity to discipline and restraint — a trait every founder can learn from. She trained herself not to believe the hype, even when she was on top. “I never allowed myself to believe I could be a champion,” she admitted. “Because I always did my best work when I felt like I had to prove something.”
That mindset helped her stay consistent, which she says is what she's most proud of — not the trophies.
“Consistency is what I’m proud of. You have to show up week in and week out — for your team, for your sponsors, for yourself.”
From Endorsement Star to Investor: The Business of Being Maria
Sharapova was more than a tennis player — she became a brand. For over a decade, she was the highest-paid female athlete in the world, largely from endorsements.
But she saw beyond short-term deals. “As a female athlete, I was very well aware that at a certain point… I would have to call it quits. I made a conscious effort of setting up a platform that would carry me into the second chapter.”
That second chapter came with board seats (like Moncler) and savvy investments. Her breakout as an investor? A bet on a brand she already loved: Supergoop.
“I used it for years. I found the founder, said ‘I don’t need a return now, I’ll use my platform,’” she said. Years later, the brand sold 75% for $750 million.
Why Reinvention Is Hard But Necessary
When athletes retire, they often struggle to find what’s next. Sharapova confronted that head-on. “There’s no match point in business,” she reflected. “No one moment where everything changes. I miss those victories… but business teaches you to play the long game.”
She also admitted what many entrepreneurs feel but rarely say: imposter syndrome.
Joining the Moncler board, she said, “I was intimidated… it felt like a UN meeting.” But she stayed open and curious. “That’s been the trajectory of my career: letting other people guide my education.”
“I didn’t have a formal education… I took the role because I felt like I could learn from the people in the room.”
On Leaving the Game Before It Leaves You
Many athletes (and founders) struggle to know when to let go. Sharapova was no different.
“I think stubbornness shaped a lot of my victories… but at the end, it became a flaw. I was so stubborn to get healthy, I didn’t see that my body wasn’t recovering anymore.”
But she doesn't dwell on regrets. “I like the thought of doing things and letting them flow… The reason I won those events was because I lost some really tough matches.”
5 Key Lessons for Founders from Maria Sharapova’s Journey:
- Bet on Brands You Use: Her Supergoop investment began as a personal product she loved.
- Play the Long Game: In business, there are no match points. It’s about consistency and iteration.
- Say No to Say Yes: Sharapova learned early the power of turning down distractions to stay focused.
- Stay Curious: Even after world-class success, she sought mentors and roles where she could learn.
- Know When to Pivot: Stubbornness wins matches — but knowing when to evolve wins careers.
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