© Getty Images Sport – Mike Hewitt
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Maria Sharapova suggested she wasn’t really aware of everything that was on the line when she was about to meet Serena Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final. In 2004, Sharapova became a Grand Slam champion at the age of 17 after beating 6-1 6-4 in the final at The Championships.
The 2004 Wimbledon final win over Williams made Sharapova a Grand Slam champion but also opened the door for her the Russian to land lucrative sponsorship and endorsement deals, as well as quickly become one of the most popular players in the game.
Sharapova, who won five Grand Slams before retiring in 2020, realized later everything that the 2004 Wimbledon win brought to her.
Sharapova recounts beating Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final
“I was born in Russia and went to the United States when I was a 5-year-old with my father.
I had a small talent and my dad had a big vision and I followed his steps and his guidance. At 17, I was playing the finals of Wimbledon on the biggest stage of my career essentially against Serena Williams. There was a lot on the line.
But as a teenager you’re not really aware of what’s on the line except a tennis match and perhaps a ball where you get to…
