Former tennis champion Maria Sharapova made a rare and striking public appearance this week, leaving fans both surprised and in awe. The five-time Grand Slam winner, who retired from professional tennis in 2020, debuted a sophisticated new look that had many doing a double take. Known throughout her career for her signature blonde locks, Sharapova shocked longtime followers by stepping out as a brunette—a dramatic transformation that sparked headlines and social media buzz.
Sharapova, now 38, attended the glamorous 60th-anniversary celebration of Hotel Il Pellicano in Monte Argentario, Italy, on Monday. The event drew an elite crowd of celebrities and fashion insiders, but it was Sharapova’s elegant new look that stole the show. Wearing a sleek, understated outfit and her freshly dyed brown hair styled in soft waves, the former tennis star looked poised, polished, and worlds away from the fierce competitor fans remembered from Wimbledon and beyond.
Throughout her illustrious career, Sharapova maintained a consistent image—tall, athletic, and always with her iconic golden hair framing her intense on-court focus. It was this image that became synonymous with her rise to fame when, at just 17, she stunned the world by defeating Serena Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final. From that moment on, Sharapova became a global sensation—not just for her achievements on the court, but also for her striking beauty and strong presence in the fashion and business worlds.
So it’s no surprise that fans were left stunned by her recent transformation. Social media platforms lit up with reactions, with many calling her “unrecognisable” and praising her sophisticated new look. “I had to look twice—that can’t be Maria Sharapova!” one fan wrote on Instagram. Others were quick to compliment the bold shift, noting how the brunette style gave her a more mature, timeless elegance.
Sharapova has kept a relatively low profile since retiring, focusing on business ventures, including her premium candy brand Sugarpova, and various ambassador roles in fashion and wellness industries. Her rare appearances are often carefully curated, making this spontaneous and headline-making moment all the more impactful.
While some fans may be nostalgic for the Sharapova of the tennis courts, many applauded her for continuing to evolve and embrace new chapters of her life with grace and style. Her latest appearance not only reminded the world of her lasting star power but also showcased the ease with which she transitions from sports icon to cultural figure.
Maria Sharapova may have retired her racket, but clearly, she hasn’t stepped out of the spotlight entirely—and judging by this new look, she’s doing it all on her own terms.