Maria Sharapova was born in Nyagan, Siberia in 1987, where her parents had recently moved following the Chernobyl disaster a year earlier. From there, the family migrated to the resort town of Sochi. Her dad, a burgeoning tennis enthusiast himself, began taking a young Maria to the local courts.
On a trip to a tennis clinic in Moscow, the father-daughter duo ran into Martina Navratilova, who, after seeing the young Sharapova play, encouraged Yuri to relocate his family to America. Shortly thereafter, Yuri and Maria left Russia, and Maria’s mother behind (Yelena would follow when Maria was nine) and one 15-hour-flight later, they were at the doorstep of the famed Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy.
She got sponsors, joined the women’s tour at 16, and one year later, in 2004, took the game’s biggest prize, Wimbledon, beating the heavy favorite, top-ranked Serena Williams, 6-1, 6-4.
That breakout season catapulted Sharapova to that level of fame and recognition unheard of in Sochi Sharapova would subsequently win 35 singles titles including five Grand Slams. Maria is also an entrepreneur, she launched her candy line, Sugarpova, in 2016. She closely worked with Nike to develop her new line and appears in many commercials.
Everyone knows that I live and breathe tennis, I had met Maria’s former coaches before from the US Open, but the last few years Maria has taken on a great influence in our household. In an effort to teach my finance the value of tennis, I told him to select a player and follow. He unanimously selected Maria.
Earlier this year, Maria released her memoir Unstoppable, an apt title given the things that Sharapova has faced in the past year and the rote determination with which she’s faced them. It has been such an inspirational read for my family.
I super excited at the opportunity to talk to Maria about her holiday traditions and to share them with you.
What was your favorite holiday tradition growing up?
My childhood years were spent in Russia and New Year’s Eve was the Holiday we celebrated. Gifts were placed in a large velvet bag and as the New Year approached us, someone from the family would dress as Santa Claus and put the red bag under the tree for us to open
What are you grateful your parents did around the holidays?
My parents didn’t celebrate the Holidays all too much but I’m grateful they made the effort to make it memorable for me as I loved every bit of it.
What do you want this season to be about?
I love seeing most of my friends and family together in one space. We all live a very fast-paced life and slowing down with all of them is pretty much a gift on its own. I usually hire a caterer to help with my Christmas Eve party, but it might be time to cook a few things myself. I say that now but then find myself covered in shiny silver wrapping bits and forget all about the printed new recipe I have laying on the kitchen counter. This might be the year though!
How far in advance do you like to plan your holidays?
I start thinking about the Holidays way too far in advance but ultimately don’t get everything done until the very last day. There is always an extra dish I want to cook, an extra gift I forgot to wrap. I don’t think it’s ever too early to get a gift for someone you know will appreciate it, especially if you find it on your travels. Maybe that is because I feel terrible about last minute gifts, they usually don’t come with much thought.
What do you want to eat?
I’ll start with the drinks.
I look forward to the warm cider and when in Europe a warm red wine. I remember walking the streets of Prague a few years sipping on a red wine from a food stall and thinking this is what the Holiday season needs to feel like every year. And then I get back to California and my dreams evaporate in 70-degree weather. For food, I love trying new dessert recipes with natural sugars and rice flour. All suggestions welcome
The best holiday gift you ever got? The worse?
I love receiving stationary because it’s used so rarely these days. My favorite ones are personalized from handmade paper shops around the world. The worst was an ice cream maker, although at the time I thought it was the best gift. Four years later it’s still in its original box, unopened.
What do you like to give your friends for the holiday? Besides your candy!
Architectural coffee table books or cookbooks. They are a wealth of knowledge, pictures, ideas and come in all different price points. I love displaying the gifted books from my friends on my dining table and flipping through the pages, thoughts of that particular holiday or the person that gifted it to me
Favorite outfit to wear during the holidays?
I dress in cozy loungewear, probably in something by Skin. I do make a little bit of an effort as it seems to be a time when everyone receives a new phone with the new camera and that leads to more picture taking than anyone ever needs.
Do you like to be at home for the holidays or away?
I’m usually home but getting ready to go away for the new season. It’s almost liked a departure holiday, in which I never feel quite settled. I love the Holidays but know I’ll soon be in another country for a couple months.
How would you describe your decorating style?
Minimal. My friends always joke they will show up in the night and put lights all over my house. Which would leave me in a state of shock! My real decorating contribution is perfecting the silver tip tree I purchase every year.
Favorite holiday song?
Last year we listened to Brett Eldridge’s Glow album.
Favorite city to celebrate the holidays?
My dream is to celebrate New Year’s in St Petersburg in the snow with a plate of blintzes and caviar.
What do you do to pick yourself up during the holidays?
Adrenaline usually does the trick. I can sit on my living room floor for hours and wrapping dozens of gifts.
Favorite holiday dessert?
Russian honey cake Medovik.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Make time for yourself to enjoy the holidays. Most of our holidays are overwhelmed with holiday parties, the pressures of the right gift, the perfect outfit. We forget to set aside for ourselves. I enjoy waking up extra early and having my first cup of coffee close to the tree with the fireplace on. No wrapping, no lists. Just time for myself.
I want to thank Maria, for giving us this glimpse into her life. I was truly honored to have had this opportunity.
Leave a Reply