The 13 year old stares straight into the camera and shows a glint of business-savvy: "I would want to win Wimbledon, because then the millions will come."

In 2004, 17 year old Sharapova thrashed top seed and two-time defending champion Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4, marking the most lopsided women's final at the All-England Club since 1992. "I want to cut up this trophy," a giddy Sharapova said during her on-court interview, "and give it to everybody, this whole crowd."

The Wimbledon triumph turned Sharapova into one of the world’s most famous sportswomen. She collected more than $325 million in earnings, both on and off the court, during her career.

In a 2025 Op-Ed piece with the Business of Fashion, Maria wrote this:

'The brand partnerships I cultivated over the years were among the most transformative aspects of my journey as a professional athlete, not only because they helped me feel whole as a person during my playing days, but also because they set the stage for my career in business and entrepreneurship that has followed.

When endorsement deals began to present themselves, my first instinct was to collect the biggest pay cheque available. 

But I quickly learned that the right deal isn’t always the biggest one. Shortly after I won Wimbledon, Motorola approached my team with an opportunity to become the face of the brand. Though the company offered less money upfront than other brands, my team recognised the value of a campaign that authentically showcased my character via the now-famous story of when I tried — unsuccessfully — to call my mom from the court after that first Grand Slam victory.

At the time, I didn’t fully realise how pivotal that deal would be, but in hindsight, it was a defining moment of my business career. The partnership offered me massive visibility from both Motorola’s marketing power and the organic alignment between their product launch and my own rise in the public eye.

From that point forward, my team and I focused on which deals would provide the most long-term value. Evaluating where the real potential for growth was — a brand with momentum, strong marketing backing or opportunities in different markets — proved pivotal to building the best partnerships possible.

All the while, sustained success in tennis remained my number one priority. I was acutely aware that becoming a champion was the reason I had any business interests in the first place, and I knew that maintaining my winning mindset on the court enabled my continued growth in business.

By the time I was ready to hang up my racket, I had built a solid foundation from which to launch my career as an investor and entrepreneur.'

Maria's story is in many ways a case study in the importance of strategic brand marketing and prioritizing success on the court.