Maria Sharapova retired on Wednesday at age 32, leaving behind a legacy of five Grand Slam titles and a career marked by both triumphs and challenges.

What happened?

She was born on April 19, 1987, in Nyagan, Russia, and started playing tennis at 4.

Early career

Maria Sharapova began training at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida at 9 and won her first WTA title at the Japan Open in 2003.

She made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open in 2003, losing in the first round, but earned her first match win at a major at Wimbledon, reaching the fourth round.

Grand Slam success

In 2004, Maria Sharapova upset two-time defending champion Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4 in the Wimbledon final to win her first Grand Slam title at 17.

She became the third-youngest winner at a tournament that began in the 1870s and went on to spend a total of 21 weeks atop the WTA rankings.

Maria Sharapova won the U.S. Open in 2006 for her second major title, beating Justine Henin 6-4, 6-4 in the final.

Career milestones

She won the Australian Open in 2008 for the third Grand Slam trophy of her career, defeating Ana Ivanovic 7-5, 6-3 in the final.

In 2012, Maria Sharapova won the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam, overwhelming Sara Errani 6-3, 6-2 in the final.

She became the 10th woman in the sport's history with at least one title at each of the four most prestigious tournaments in tennis.

Challenges and comeback

Maria Sharapova was suspended for failing a doping test for meldonium in 2016 and served a 15-month suspension.

She returned to the tour in April 2017 and eventually returned to Grand Slam action at the U.S. Open, where she lost in the fourth round.

Maria Sharapova claimed her first title in two years by winning the Tianjin Open in October 2017, which was the 36th singles title of her career and the last.

Legacy

Maria Sharapova's retirement marks the end of an era for a tennis star who has been a dominant force on and off the court, with a career marked by both triumphs and challenges.

She finishes her career with five Grand Slam titles and a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.

Maria Sharapova's impact on the sport will be felt for generations to come, inspiring young players around the world with her determination and perseverance.

The tennis world will miss Maria Sharapova, but her legacy will live on through her achievements and the impact she had on the sport.