Maria Sharapova

Maria Yuryevna Sharapova (Russian: Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова listen) (born April 19, 1987) is a Russian professional tennis player. At the end of 2006, she was the world's highest-paid female athlete.

Sharapova has won two Grand Slam singles titles. She is the reigning U.S. Open champion, having defeated Justine Henin in the final of the 2006 U.S. Open. Two years earlier, she defeated Serena Williams in the final at Wimbledon.

Sharapova's parents moved from Gomel, Belarus, to Siberia, Russia, in 1986, after the Chernobyl nuclear accident. She was born the following year in Nyagan, Russia.

Endorsements and media publicity
Honda - Following her Wimbledon victory in 2004, Sharapova signed a one-year deal with automobile manufacturer, but the deal was only in Japan.
 

Land Rover - In April 2006, Sharapova signed a three-year deal to endorse their vehicles. One source with knowledge of the deal said it was worth approximately U.S. $2 million per year. Sharapova gets a free Land Rover Range Rover Sport in Florida and a chauffeured Land Rover Discovery wherever she want

Controversies
Sharapova has been criticised by many for what seems to be sideline-coaching from her father during matches. At the 2006 U.S. Open she was observed receiving coaching gestures from her father and another coach. At the 2004 WTA Tour Championships Yuri Sharapov, Maria Sharapova's father, was warned by the chair umpire for coaching during his daughter's win over Anastasia Myskina.

Sharapova’s Career
From June 2004 until her Wimbledon semifinal appearance in 2005, Sharapova won 22 straight matches on grass, including consecutive Birmingham titles and the Wimbledon title. She reached the semifinals of the 2005 Australian Open, where she held three match points against Serena Williams before losing 2-6, 7-5, 8-6. Off court, she was paid for numerous commercial endorsements.

Awards
                                                    
Year 2003            
            Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Newcomer of the Year
             Hottest female athlete of the year (Maxim)
Year 2004
         WTA Player of the Year
             WTA Most Improved Player of the Year
             WTA Player Service
             Hottest female athlete of the year (Maxim)      
Year 2005
         ESPY Best Female Tennis Player
              Named the country's best female player for the year by Russia's tennis                               
              federation
              Master of Sports of Russia
              Hottest female athlete of the year (Maxim)
              Prix de Citron Roland Garros
Year 2006
         Hottest female athlete of the year (Maxim)
              Named the country's best female player for the year by Russia's tennis                 
              federation