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Maria Sharapova
Tennis star Maria Sharapova , has a lot going for her. At only 18 years of age she has become the world's highest paid female athlete. Born in Nyagan, Russia, (in the Siberian region) on April 19, 1987, she began playing tennis at a very young age. By the time she was nine she had moved to Bradenton, Florida, (where she currently resides) to train at Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy. Aside from helping to hone Sharapova's skills, Bollettieri is also responsible for the success of many other tennis stars, such as Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, and Venus and Serena Williams. Maria Sharapova began climbing the ranks in the World Tennis Association (WTA), earning her first tournament title in Japan in 2003. Her crowning moment came in 2004, when she won Wimbledon at a mere 17 year of age, solidifying a consistent spot in the top five. Off the court she is known for her looks. She often takes modeling jobs and works on her endorsements, the likes of which include Motorola, Canon and Honda Japan. The attractive six-foot-tall blond often draws comparisons to fellow Russian tennis-pro-turned-model Anna Kournikova, but her skills on the court are what set the two apart. In just the past two years she has become the poster child for women's tennis. Billboards promoting the sport feature giant images of Sharapova as "Maria Mania" sweeps the globe. She has become the top-draw in the sport, ushering in a new era of rising stars and helping to broaden the field after years of Williams sisters' dominance. 2005 finds Sharapova on pace to take in over $20 million, most of which will come from her endorsements--the most recent a three-year $6 million deal with Colgate-Palmolive. But it is tennis where her focus lies. She carries with her a streak of 17 straight wins on grass heading into Wimbledon 2005, where she will defend her 2004 championship at the prestigious event. Some intersting facts about Maria Sharapova : She was (and still is) so ambidextrous that she almost became a left-handed tennis player. Her loudest grunt (while playing, heh) was measured at 101.2 decibels (louder than a motorcycle or a lawnmower) on June 21, 2005 at Wimbledon Centre Court. The loudest grunt was by Monica Seles at 93.2 decibels. She made the Forbes 2006 Richest Young Celebrities List. Reportedly she earned $18.2 million in 2005. She was the highest-paid female athlete of the year. She was named #8 in FHM magazine’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006″ supplement. She was ranked #17 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list. Just last month won 2 ESPY’s for # Best Female Tennis Player and Best International Female Athlete.
Maria Sharapova Official website
Residence: Bradenton, Florida, USA Birthdate: April 19, 1987 Birthplace: Nyagan, Russia (Siberian Region) Height: 6'0(1.80 m) Weight: 130 lbs. (55 kg) Plays: Right-handed, Double-Hand Backhand Status: Pro (since 19 April 2001) Racquet: Prince O^3 White Wears Clothing By: Nike Shoes Manufactured By: Nike Other Sponsorships: Pro Tour Singles Titles: 11 Pro Tour Doubles Titles: 3 Grand Slam Titles: 1 Singles ITF Circuit Singles Titles: 4 singles Career Prize Money: $5,026,526 Career Win/Loss Record: $5,026,526 Other Information:Coached by her father and Michael Joyce...Started hitting tennis balls at age four; at six, participated in exhibition in Moscow that featured Martina Navratilova; began training at Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida, USA, at age nine (which required a two-year separation from mother due to visa restrictions and finances)...Off-court interests include fashion, singing, jazz dancing and movies (favorite is Pearl Harbor)...Featured as On the Move by People Magazine in its September 1, 2003, issue...In second year of high school and studies via an internet school...Enjoys reading books in the Sherlock Holmes and Pippi Longstocking series...Favors Russian music and food, Russian food.    
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