Maria Sharapova remains one of the most recognizable names in the history of women’s tennis. Even years after stepping away from professional competition, she continues to attract worldwide attention for both her business ventures and personal life. One of the most common questions fans continue to ask is is maria sharapova married. As of 2026, the answer is no. Although she has been engaged to British entrepreneur Alexander Gilkes for several years, the couple has not yet tied the knot and instead has focused on raising their young family while pursuing successful careers.
Sharapova’s life today looks very different from her days of competing on the biggest tennis stages. Rather than traveling the world for tournaments, she spends much of her time balancing motherhood, business investments, philanthropy, and occasional appearances at major sporting events. Her transition from elite athlete to entrepreneur has been one of the most successful among retired tennis stars.
Maria Sharapova’s Current Relationship Status
Maria Sharapova is engaged to Alexander Gilkes, a British businessman known for his work in the art and technology industries. The couple announced their engagement in December 2020 after dating for several years.
Despite their long engagement, they have not publicly announced wedding plans. Instead, both have emphasized enjoying family life and focusing on the responsibilities that come with raising their son.
Unlike many celebrity couples who frequently share every milestone on social media, Sharapova and Gilkes have generally kept their relationship relatively private. They occasionally appear together at charity galas, sporting events, fashion weeks, and cultural gatherings, but they prefer to keep their family life away from constant public attention.
Their approach has earned respect from many fans, who appreciate how they have balanced public careers with a quiet personal life.
Who Is Alexander Gilkes?
Alexander Gilkes is a British entrepreneur, investor, and art collector. He gained international recognition after co-founding Paddle8, an online auction platform that helped modernize the way art is bought and sold.
Over the years, Gilkes has expanded his work into technology investments, luxury markets, and business consulting. His professional background differs significantly from Sharapova’s sporting career, but both share an entrepreneurial mindset and an interest in innovation.
Friends and observers have often described the couple as supportive of each other’s careers while maintaining independent professional identities.
Their shared appreciation for travel, culture, design, and philanthropy has also contributed to the strength of their relationship.
A Relationship That Has Grown Over Time
Sharapova and Gilkes first appeared together publicly in 2018.
From the beginning, their relationship attracted considerable media attention because both were already well-known in their respective fields. However, instead of embracing constant publicity, they chose a quieter lifestyle.
Over the years they have attended Wimbledon, the US Open, art exhibitions, charity events, and international sporting competitions together.
Their engagement announcement in late 2020 marked an important milestone, but it did not come with immediate wedding planning. Instead, life soon took another exciting turn when they became parents.
Becoming Parents
Motherhood has become one of the defining chapters of Sharapova’s post-tennis life.
She has spoken about how becoming a parent changed her priorities and offered a completely new perspective compared to the intense routine of professional sports.
Instead of training for tournaments and traveling almost every week, Sharapova now enjoys spending time with her family while managing business commitments at a pace that allows for a healthier work-life balance.
Although she occasionally shares family moments on social media, she has consistently chosen to protect her son’s privacy by limiting what she reveals publicly.
Why the Couple Hasn’t Married Yet
Many celebrity engagements quickly lead to weddings, but Sharapova and Gilkes have taken a different path.
They have explained that there is no pressure to rush into marriage. Between welcoming their son, managing businesses, traveling internationally, and balancing personal responsibilities, they have simply prioritized the life they are already building together.
For them, a wedding is viewed as something to enjoy when the timing feels right rather than something that must happen according to public expectations.
This relaxed approach reflects the maturity both have developed through successful international careers.
Maria Sharapova’s Remarkable Tennis Career
Before becoming a successful entrepreneur and investor, Maria Sharapova built one of the greatest careers in women’s tennis history.
She turned professional as a teenager and quickly established herself as one of the sport’s brightest stars.
Her breakthrough came at Wimbledon in 2004 when, at just 17 years old, she defeated Serena Williams to win her first Grand Slam title.
That stunning victory instantly transformed Sharapova into one of the biggest names in global sports.
Over the following years she continued to add to her impressive achievements, including victories at the US Open, Australian Open, and French Open.
By winning all four major championships during her career, Sharapova completed the prestigious Career Grand Slam, a feat accomplished by only a select group of players.
She also reached the world No. 1 ranking and remained among the sport’s elite for many seasons.
Her powerful baseline game, fierce competitiveness, and mental toughness made her one of the most respected competitors of her generation.
Retirement Opened New Opportunities
Sharapova officially retired from professional tennis in 2020.
While many athletes struggle to redefine themselves after retirement, Sharapova entered the business world with confidence.
She had already established several commercial partnerships during her playing career and continued expanding her investment portfolio after retirement.
She became involved with venture capital, technology startups, wellness companies, luxury brands, and consumer products.
Her business interests demonstrate that the discipline developed through elite sports can successfully translate into entrepreneurship.
She also remains an influential voice in discussions surrounding women’s leadership, sports, innovation, and investing.
Business Success Beyond Tennis
Long before retirement, Sharapova launched Sugarpova, a premium candy brand that gained international popularity.
The venture showcased her ability to build a consumer brand beyond her athletic identity.
Since retiring, she has continued investing in companies focused on health, technology, sustainability, and modern consumer products.
Her investment strategy emphasizes long-term growth rather than short-term publicity.
She regularly participates in business conferences where she shares insights about leadership, branding, entrepreneurship, and transitioning from professional sports into business.
These activities have helped establish her reputation as more than simply a former tennis champion.
Public Appearances in 2026
Although she no longer competes professionally, Sharapova remains closely connected to tennis.
She occasionally attends Grand Slam tournaments as a guest, participates in special events honoring former champions, and appears in interviews discussing the future of the sport.
Fans continue to welcome her warmly whenever she returns to major tournaments.
Outside tennis, Sharapova is frequently invited to international fashion shows, luxury brand launches, investment conferences, and charitable fundraising events.
Her elegant public image has remained remarkably consistent throughout her career.
Life Away From the Spotlight
One of the biggest differences between Sharapova’s playing days and her current lifestyle is the amount of time she spends with family.
Professional tennis demanded nearly year-round travel, intense training schedules, and constant media obligations.
Today, she enjoys a slower pace that allows her to prioritize motherhood while remaining active professionally.
She has spoken about enjoying simple family routines, spending time outdoors, traveling with loved ones, and exploring new business ideas.
This balance has become an important part of her life after retirement.
Previous High-Profile Relationships
Before meeting Alexander Gilkes, Sharapova had several well-known relationships.
She was previously engaged to former NBA player Sasha Vujačić, but the engagement ended before marriage.
She also dated Bulgarian tennis star Grigor Dimitrov for several years.
While both relationships attracted significant media coverage, Sharapova has rarely discussed them publicly, preferring to keep her personal life private.
Her relationship with Gilkes has reflected that same preference for discretion and stability.
Global Popularity Continues
Even years after retirement, Maria Sharapova remains one of the most searched former athletes in the world.
Her popularity extends far beyond tennis because she successfully combined sporting excellence with business achievement and international brand recognition.
Millions of fans continue following her activities through interviews, public appearances, and social media updates.
Her influence reaches sports, entrepreneurship, fashion, philanthropy, and investment communities.
This continued relevance explains why questions about her relationship status remain among the most searched topics related to her life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maria Sharapova married in 2026?
No. Maria Sharapova has not married and remains engaged to Alexander Gilkes.
When did Maria Sharapova get engaged?
She announced her engagement in December 2020.
Do Maria Sharapova and Alexander Gilkes have children?
Yes. They have one son named Theodore, who was born in 2022.
Why haven’t they had a wedding yet?
The couple has chosen to focus on family life and professional commitments rather than rushing into marriage.
Is maria sharapova married today?
No. She is still engaged to Alexander Gilkes, and there has been no public announcement confirming a wedding.
Maria Sharapova’s Legacy
Maria Sharapova’s legacy extends well beyond her five Grand Slam singles titles. She demonstrated extraordinary determination throughout her playing career and later proved that elite athletes can successfully reinvent themselves after retirement.
Today she is recognized as a devoted mother, accomplished entrepreneur, respected investor, and global ambassador for women’s sports and business leadership.
Her journey continues to inspire aspiring athletes, entrepreneurs, and young professionals around the world.
Although fans remain curious about whether wedding bells are in her future, Sharapova appears content focusing on the life she has built with Alexander Gilkes and their son. Whether or not the couple eventually decides to marry, they have already established a strong partnership centered on family, mutual support, and shared ambitions.
As one of tennis’s most enduring icons, Maria Sharapova continues to evolve while maintaining the determination and discipline that made her a champion on and off the court.
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