--- title: Maria Sharapova on Life After Tennis | TIME description: Tennis champion and entrepreneur Maria Sharapova joined CBS Mornings co-host and Oprah Daily editor-at-large Gayle King onstage on April 22 at the TIME100 Summit in New York City for a conversation about the launch of her new podcast and her induction last year into the Hall of Fame. canonical: https://time.com/video/WgCPVGMi/ og:title: Maria Sharapova on Life After Tennis og:description: Tennis champion and entrepreneur Maria Sharapova joined CBS Mornings co-host and Oprah Daily editor-at-large Gayle King onstage on April 22 at the TIME100 Summit in New York City for a conversation about the launch of her new podcast and her induction last year into the Hall of Fame. og:url: https://time.com/video/WgCPVGMi/ og:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WgCPVGMi/poster.jpg?width=720 og:type: video.other twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Maria Sharapova on Life After Tennis twitter:description: Tennis champion and entrepreneur Maria Sharapova joined CBS Mornings co-host and Oprah Daily editor-at-large Gayle King onstage on April 22 at the TIME100 Summit in New York City for a conversation about the launch of her new podcast and her induction last year into the Hall of Fame. twitter:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/WgCPVGMi/poster.jpg?width=720 --- * Sports # Maria Sharapova on Life After Tennis > Sponsored content. 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They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ## Video: Maria Sharapova on Life After Tennis [Watch (HLS stream): Maria Sharapova on Life After Tennis](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/WgCPVGMi.m3u8) (14:39)  _Published 2026-04-22. Tennis champion and entrepreneur Maria Sharapova joined CBS Mornings co-host and Oprah Daily editor-at-large Gayle King onstage on April 22 at the TIME100 Summit in New York City for a conversation about the launch of her new podcast and her induction last year into the Hall of Fame._ --- Apr 22, 2026 6:32 PM UTC --- ## More From This Series [All Videos](https://time.com/video/) [Maria Sharapova On Refusing To Soften Her Edges](/video/m89lmJ0R/) ### Maria Sharapova On Refusing To Soften Her Edges [Maria Sharapova suspended two years for doping](/video/w24beuC8/) ### Maria Sharapova suspended two years for doping [Tennis Physics-v2](/video/HQYwqL5F/) ### Tennis Physics-v2 --- ## Transcript Hi you guys. Hello, fellow human beings. Hi. Don't we love Maria? That Louis was our opening act for us. We liked. You. Love that. We both love Lewis Hamilton. Guys, this is such a big day for Maria. It's not my birthday. It's not your birthday. It's not your son's birthday. Why is this such a big day for you? I'm launching a podcast today. Today is her first day of her podcast. Yes. Pretty tough is out in the world. It's something I've been working on with Vox Media for over a year. So it's pretty crazy that this is the day and I'm doing it with you. What an honor. No. And doing it with all of you. But before we get started, we just give you a little tease of what Maria is thinking. Roll tape please. Oh. Humble but not quiet. Fierce but not brash. Open minded but not uncertain. Beautiful but not fragile. Powerful. Angry. Complicated. Successful. Imperfect. We're told these are in opposition to each other, when in reality, it's the multitudes that make us. For so much of my career, I heard that I couldn't embody all of these things. I couldn't be gritty on the court and be graceful off of it. I couldn't exist in all those spaces. And women are constantly hearing that, faced with skeptics trying to put them in a box and voices asking, do you have permission to do that? That's how this podcast originated. I want to talk to the women who gave themselves permission to ride and do and believe in more than just what others think of them. And that's exactly what Pretty Tough is about the pursuit of achievement without apology. I love don't we love that tagline, guys? I'm going to say it again. Pursuit of achievement without apology. Kelsea Ballerini has a great song. It's called unapologetically, and it's about a love song. I'm unapologetically in love with this guy. I don't care what anybody says. I'm here to win. And so I'm wondering, was there a time in your life where you apologized and you thought, why did I do that? Why did I apologize? So from a young age, I had a very steely mentality. I had a fist pump that I was really known for, and I'd get off the court and I'd be in press conferences and everyone would say, but it's so intimidating. You need to soften your edges. Can you add a filter? And there was a part of me that wanted to apologize for that because I was a lady and, you know, everyone wanted to see me in that light. But pretty tough was my mentality and I didn't apologize for it. No, I love can you soften your images? Can you soften your edges? Because there was a time when you were a very successful tennis player and you got the reputation of being ice queen? Some said *****. Yep, all of that. All the above. Some said the B word. Did you were the only one? Yeah. I didn't say it. They said. It. They did. But did you worry about? You reinstated it. Did you worry about people's perception of you on and off the court? You know, I, I wasn't because I was so focused on doing something I deeply loved. Like I love being an athlete. It was a huge part of my identity when I woke, woke up in the morning and I and I put on my sportswear, that was my shield. Like, that was my armor. I, you know, and everyone, my opponent, everyone in a player lounge is on the court was like in the way of my success. And I was determined. And I think I did have to pay the price of that with those taglines, as you mentioned. But they got me incredible victories because I was determined and focused. Yeah. You know, um, Lizzo has new music coming out and one of the songs is called *****. And she says, I'm going to reclaim it because you can say *****, you can say *****, you can say *****, you know? She says there's many ways. And she said, I'm going to reclaim the word. And just earlier this week, guys, if I'm. Not going to try to sing *****. We'll leave that to her. It's actually a good song. But earlier this week, in an op ed for your Substack, you wrote *****, the label Every Ambitious Woman Knows. What was your message there? HMM. I've come across many women, my friends, coworkers that really related to the subject. And, you know, I retired a few years ago and I had my son, and I felt like that as I was building this platform and building the brand of pretty tough. The message really resonated with women. And this podcast is, is for women by women. The first 12 to 13 episodes are all women. We launched with Zoe Saldana this morning, who's an incredible human being. Oscar winner. Yeah. Oscar winner. Um, Jeanie Buss next week. So it's a phenomenal lineup of people that I admire. And by the way, I'm now on the other side of it. I used to answer questions. Now I've got like documents in my hand and I'm. And how do you like that? I love it, I love it because there's something about, there's something about being an athlete where every day you're like, on a cliff. You can be as confident as you want to be, but when the net goes up, you don't know if you're going to win or lose. You can be so ready and prepared or unprepared. And they put up the net, and you can be 100 in the world, number one in the world. You still have to go out and perform and hopefully win. But it doesn't always happen. And that's why we love sports so much. Well, you have say it again, how many Grand Slams? Five. And last year you were inducted into. The Hall of Fame. Yes. Okay. Just saying the saying now. Bravo. Go you. That's not a surprise. You were inducted. But what was a surprise is that jaws friggin dropped on the floor when you asked Serena Williams to induct you. Yeah. Why? Because you guys had had such a intense rivalry. I wouldn't say I wouldn't have called it a rivalry. She kicked my *** many times. I think we can all confirm that in this room. But. But she. But she might have kicked your ***. But the reason why so many. No, no no no no, I'm going somewhere. Sorry. We came into the. We were in backstage and she's like, we're gonna mix it up today. This is gonna be the boring panel. We are not. So but the reason, one of the reasons why so many people knew you. Wimbledon, you beat Serena Williams. She was 17. At Wimbledon you beat Serena Williams. And that was one of the highlights of your career. And she says it was one of the hardest of hers. Yes. And so every time she said, I always up my game when I was playing you. It was very tough. So there were times when it was tense. But you asked her to, to, to introduce you. And she said, yes, but why did you pick her? She was the first person that came to mind. I had the some of the toughest moments and some of the biggest victories on the court against Serena and I. At the end of the day, we have so much deep respect for each other, and there was no one that I wanted to see other than her up on stage, and I had to make that phone call. Um, and you. Called her personally. Yourself? I called her personally. You had her number? I had her number. Okay. And so she. Says, since we retired, we got very close. And so she says hello. And you. Say, well, I first texted her because I didn't, you know, I didn't want to call her and she knows then pick up and I'm like, oh, rejection. Um, so I texted her, she calls me in right away. Um, we spoke for over an hour. Wow. And we didn't even touch upon the Hall of Fame until the last five minutes. Wow. We talked about our careers, our lives, our children, our businesses. We invest a lot. We look at the we have the same deal flow. So yeah. And then at the end of it, I was, oh, by the way, would you induct me into the Tennis Hall of Fame? And it was and she prepared for that induction like a true athlete. Yes. She interviewed me at a different time. Yeah. She had notes. So she did not just phone it in? No. She wanted to do you justice. No. And nobody knew? No. Like, not even my father, who was sitting right next to me before she came on stage. It was. You didn't tell your dad? She was. No, no. Don't tell anyone. I want it to be a big surprise for everyone. I know, but let's think about it. And I felt it in the room. Oh, it was such a shocker. But let's talk about your dad, because, you know, your family moved you and your dad. Your mom stayed behind visa issues. Your dad came. You guys had very little money. Neither one of you spoke English? No. And I'm thinking you didn't tell your dad. What was that like for you at that time? You and your dad coming were going to conquer tennis? Yeah, I was under my father's wing for for many years. We moved to this country at the age of seven without my mom because she couldn't get a visa. We landed in Miami airport with a big dream and took a lot of chances. And so many things could have gone wrong and many things did. But ultimately, we're very fortunate. But I, I loved the path I was on. I love being different. I love being unique. Um, I woke up every morning at 5:30 a.m. I was first in line in every class that I took. Um, I worked my butt off for it, but I loved the process. I now have a son and it's it's really it's three and a half. And it's interesting to see how oftentimes they want to be part of the pack. And I always encourage them to, to be unique, right? To engage in things that are different to their peers and their group and stand out. There's nothing bad about it at all. Do you think that tennis gave you the discipline that you needed to build the empire that you have today? 100%. It gave me so many lessons. Um, determination, teamwork, resilience. I mean, there's every single day you learned a lesson because you lose, you lose so much more than you win. Than you. Win sport, right? So you have to handle how do you get in a press conference? You know, how do you keep your composure? How do you answer tough questions? How do you get to the hotel room and the you know, the bellman says he's bought a ticket for your next match. And you have to, you know, say, I'm sorry I lost today. Like how just handling, you know, having a strong. I didn't think about that. Yeah, I would say that. Yeah. And then you feel you let someone down that you don't even know. Well you you realize it's a whole network, like your team, your coach, their family schedule during the year is dependent on your success. Oh, God, I hadn't thought about it that way. I'm curious about athletes of your caliber and when it comes to competition. I interviewed Michael Jordan recently who hasn't been on a basketball court in a long time. But he says you're. Getting some great interviews. Lizzo would be great, too. Let me just tell let me give let me give you a bit of advice. Groveling is very effective. I asked Michael Jordan for over ten years before he finally said, yes, but that's a whole nother story. I might put my podcast studio right next to your studio so that they could like groveling. Very effective. But but what he said that I thought was interesting. He said, you never lose a competitive spirit. He said, even now he's on the basketball court, but he's really huge into NASCAR. He's a NASCAR owner. They're killing it. They just won this last weekend. But he said even something as simple as brushing his teeth before his wife, getting dressed, before his wife taking the kids to school. I go, Michael, are you okay? He said. You never lose a competitive spirit. And I'm wondering how that is for you in terms of competition. I don't pump my fist as often as I did. You don't. Maybe when my husband changed the diaper, I was like, yeah. But you're not in a boardroom. I'm I'm certainly softer and I don't play that much. So I find things that keep my body active. And movement is such a big part of my life, but in different forms, you know, like. You don't play that much. I don't I know, I. Just for fun. Well, I discussed this with, with Zoe Saldana because she used to be an incredible dancer and she danced ballet. And we were discussing how with age, you know, our body loses tension and that physique. And all of a sudden we knew what our body felt like at the top of our careers, right. And it just doesn't feel quite there. And so why don't we do things that kind of, I don't know, that exposes our better sides? Yes. Your better. Let's talk about Maria Sharapova as a mom. You said what's your son's name? Theo. Theo. Do you call him Theo? Yeah. Theodora. Theodora. Depend on a good day. Theo. On a tough day. It's Theodore. Three and a half year olds don't have tough days. It's such a great age. Oh, really? Well, the moms do. Yes, the moms do. Moms. They don't. Sorry, the dads too, but the dads moms. But they're so. Well, you know what I mean. They're so chatty and they're so fun. I loved every stage. Of. Parenting. Every single. Stage. It's the best job. It's the best and the toughest job in the world. So Theo will won't have seen you back on the tennis court. No. What will you tell him about your your your fame, what you used to do? How will you explain this to him? I don't it's not like my past and my career is not something that I like. If you come to my home or even during my career, like you probably wouldn't have known that I was an athlete. You didn't have. I, I, yeah, I had boundaries and I separated, like I poured everything in it. But then when I would come home or I'm with my family or I'm traveling around the world, there's only so much you can do. So one of the best things about my life was I got to take meetings with incredible people and incredible brands. I got to learn, I got to take classes at Harvard. I got to take internships with Adam Silver at the NBA. Like I don't we love Adam Silver. Oh he's fantastic. He's one of the great Lakers. Sorry. Yes. I know we're in New York but. He's one of the true yes go. *****. I know, I know he had a tough game. Great human beings. But you and your partner Alex are raising Theo. What will you tell him? What will you tell your favorite son about girls? Oh, about girls? Yes. Trust your instinct. Trust your. Instinct. Yes. Yeah. It never leads you to a wrong place. Yeah, I think I always hesitated on. You know, we have so many. We're torn. We have so many opinions in the world. I think is so fragmented and everyone has their own opinion. But don't forget about your own. Yes. Trust your gut that that will never lead you wrong. And final question, because the clock is counting down, I say, Gail, you have to stick to time. Oh no, it's very difficult when you're talking to Maria Sharapova. I don't know, let's let's just. Yeah. But you have five Grand Slams as we've mentioned a couple of times. Is there anything in life that brings you as much excitement as a Grand Slam? Sadly, not that match point feeling. There's nothing that. It's like a melting pot of so many things coming together, of hard work, of perseverance, of having a great team around you. And that final moment and a little bit of luck all bubbled into a few seconds of joy. No, there's nothing like it, you know? But that's okay. Yeah, yeah. It's okay to have those. That's what sport is all about. And that's why we are so invested in athletes and leagues and teams and rivalries. Because that's the special thing of sport. Well, I will I will wish this for you because you are such a badass. I admire you so much. On your launch day of your podcast. We're all cheering you on. Thank you. What's the name of it again? Pretty tough. Pretty tough. Maria Sharapova. 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