Maria Sharapova left her fans buzzing when she announced the birth of her first child on social media and confirmed that the child was a boy.
Sharapova was one of the best players of her generation. She won every major title, including five Grand Slams. The 35-year-old triumphed at the French Open twice, in 2012 and 2014.
Despite her superb achievements on the court, the Russian will also be remembered for a doping scandal. Sharapova was initially banned for 24 months on 8 June 2016 for taking the substance meldonium, which had been a banned substance since the start of that year.
The suspension was later reduced to 15 months. There was a polarized reaction among players, with some being sympathetic. In contrast, many others said it was her responsibility and that she should not have taken the substance when it was legal anyway.
Sharapova was never the same player after she returned to the sport in 2017. After struggling for a couple of years, she retired from tennis on 26 February 2020. Her last appearance was at that year's Australian Open.
Many fans stuck by Sharapova during and after the doping saga. The five-time Grand Slam champion has expressed her gratitude to her fans many times, and they will be delighted by Sharapova's latest news.
Sharapova's son Theodore was born on July 1st. She shared a picture on Instagram of her alongside her partner, Alexander Gilkes, and their newborn son. Both look very content in the photo.
Some WTA players have returned to the sport after having children. Serena Williams is the most widely known example, but other women have also done this, such as the recent Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria.
However, Sharapova was already retired before having her son, meaning a return to the sport does not appear to be a possibility. She is undoubtedly focused on being a mother to her newborn child.