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Maria Sharapova suggested she wasn't really aware of everything that was on the line when she was about to meet Serena Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final. In 2004, Sharapova became a Grand Slam champion at the age of 17 after beating 6-1 6-4 in the final at The Championships.
The 2004 Wimbledon final win over Williams made Sharapova a Grand Slam champion but also opened the door for her the Russian to land lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals, as well as quickly become one of the most popular players in the game.
Sharapova, who won five Grand Slams before retiring in 2020, realized later everything that the 2004 Wimbledon win brought to her.
Sharapova recounts beating Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final
"I was born in Russia and went to the United States when I was a 5-year-old with my father.
I had a small talent and my dad had a big vision and I followed his steps and his guidance. At 17, I was playing the finals of Wimbledon on the biggest stage of my career essentially against Serena Williams. There was a lot on the line.
But as a teenager you're not really aware of what's on the line except a tennis match and perhaps a ball where you get to wear a nice dress. It was a lesson in partnerships and winning. Going back to New York and going through the media rounds, it was the moment when I realized that sport was more than just about winning and losing.
That this was a business, that you walk out on to the stage and you have a platform and you have a voice," Sharapova told Bloomberg's Jason Kelly.
During her pro tennis career, Sharapova was exploring ways to establish herself in the business world.
Even before retiring from pro tennis, Sharapova learned a lot about the business world. Since retiring from tennis in 2020, Sharapova has been mostly family-orientated and looking to expand her businesses. Last year, Sharapova became a mother for the first time when her son Theodore was born.