John McEnroe once called Maria Sharapova the best competitor in women’s tennis — ever. Sharapova is one of 10 women to win each of the four Grand Slams sometime in her career. She won her first Grand Slam title at the ripe old age of 18. From 2003-15, Sharapova has won at least one major title. Her new book, “Unstoppable: My Life So Far,” is an autobiography of her journey to the tennis world.
Sharapova is more than a professional tennis player, she is a celebrity on the highest level. Her face has been plastered on magazines. She has been on talk shows; advertisers adore her. In fact, I follow Sharapova on Instagram. There is more to her than the glamour you see on the television. To understand her, one must go back to Russia when she was only 4 years old.
Yuri, Sharapova’s father, started playing tennis as an adult, and she would tag along to watch him play. The two started playing together, and Yuri noticed her natural ability. Martina Navratilova met young Sharapova and told her father to get her to the United States.
Yuri convinced Sharapova’s mother to let him take her to the United States, and selling everything he had, Yuri and his daughter headed to Florida for training. Neither one of them spoke a word of English. Having no money and not speaking the language, Yuri’s charm was able to get Sharapova a scholarship to a tennis academy, a place to live and he was able to get himself a job. The remarkable journey had begun.
Sharapova talks about her life in the tennis world candidly, not only her tennis life but also her family and personal life. She had growth spurt, which vaulted her to more than 6 feet tall. She talks about an injury. In 2016, at the Australian Open, the International Tennis Federation banned Sharapova from tennis for taking meldonium, a substance thousands of athletes were taking and was just recently banned from tennis.
This autobiography is not only a treat for any tennis fan but for the general public as well. Sharapova is a delight, and I enjoyed reading her book.
Sharapova once said motivation for her was always easy, “I just want to be everyone.”
Brian Bray is an IT specialist at Missouri River Regional Library.