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“Felt Like I Was More”: Maria Sharapova Reveals Thoughts on Leaving Tennis and Being Multi-Faceted at Forbes Under 30 Summit
Former world no.1 and five-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova, who not only was deemed a successful tennis player but also has been successful in the business front post retirement, was invited to be one of the speakers at the Forbes Under 30 summit held in Detroit.
Sharapova was one of the first speakers to share her experience as an athlete-turned-businesswoman. Her candy brand Sugarpova was launched in 2012 and since her retirement from tennis last year, the Russian seems to be investing in multiple domains apart from being a proud owner of Sugarpova.
Maria Sharapova lands in Detroit for Forbes Under 30 summit
During her discussion, the former world no.1 talked about how she always felt like there was more to her life than just tennis and the budding stages of learning business.
“When I come home after I exited the tennis gates, I felt like I was more. More as a human being. More as a person. I was curious. I was interested in other things. I didn’t want to be defined by this one thing”, said the Russian.
TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 05: Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a shot against Anett Kontaveit of Estonia during a first round match on Day 3 of the Rogers Cup at Aviva Centre on August 05, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
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Sharapova continued, “I started learning by the partners that I was working with. I would get into meetings with Nike and contract meetings, I didn’t really know what these terms were. I’d say that now, in my 30s, I went back to those moments, and that was my MBA. That’s where I learned all the things I am able to apply now”.
Good morning! @MariaSharapova dropping gems about being curious while being an athlete so you can set yourself up for life after sport. @ForbesUnder30 @Forbes #under30summit pic.twitter.com/I52u7UGaB7
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) October 11, 2021
With diversified interests, Sharapova was able to invest in businesses related to architecture and also in a wellness brand, Therabody.
Sharapova talks about the importance discipline post-retirement
The former world no.1 also explained that she still maintains the same discipline that she had when she was a professional athlete.
“I’d say that discipline is something that I have to keep challenging myself at, because I had it for so long. And it’s easy to slip now, right? It’s easy to wake up and say, ‘No, maybe my body doesn’t need a workout’”, explained the Russian.
“I need to keep facing myself in the mirror. I need to keep pushing myself” – @MariaSharapova … Life. After. Sport. @ForbesUnder30 @Forbes #Under30Summit pic.twitter.com/H1BmvWQUc3
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) October 11, 2021
Sharapova concluded by saying that a look in the mirror will always push her forward.
“I need to keep facing myself in the mirror to keep pushing myself”.
Even though the Russian would always be remembered as a tennis player, her achievements off the court, where she managed to establish a brand value for herself and remain successful for so long, will also become a valuable lesson for other athletes as well as budding entrepreneurs.
The post “Felt Like I Was More”: Maria Sharapova Reveals Thoughts on Leaving Tennis and Being Multi-Faceted at Forbes Under 30 Summit appeared first on EssentiallySports.
