Maria Sharapova, the world’s number one tennis player, is expecting her first child with Alexander Gilkes
Maria Sharapova announced on Instagram on April 19 that she and her fiancé, Alexander Gilkes, are expecting their first child while also celebrating her 35th birthday.
The retired tennis player shared a photo of herself on the beach with her baby bump. “Precious beginnings!!!” she captioned the photo. My specialty has always been eating birthday cake for two. “
Users flocked to the comments section to express their gratitude for the two-day celebration.
One user exclaimed, “YOU TWO ARE GOING TO HAVE THE MOST SPECTACULAR BABY!” Congratulations on the upcoming year being the best ever!! ” “Oh wow, Maria!” wrote another commenter. I’m ecstatic for you! This is fantastic news. Best wishes to you and Alex! And best wishes to you three! “
Maria used Instagram in December 2020 to commemorate another significant event in her life: her and Alexander’s engagement. Maria shared a black-and-white selfie with the businessman at the time.
Maria wrote alongside the post, “I said yes from the first day we met.” Wasn’t this supposed to be our little secret?
Maria announced her retirement from tennis in February 2020, after 28 years on the court. In an essay she wrote for Vanity Fair at the time, Maria reflected on her time in the sport and what she wanted to conquer next in an essay she wrote for the time, saying she was ready to “compete on a different type of terrain.”
“There are a couple of simple things that I’m looking forward to: With my family, a sense of stillness. “”I’m lingering over a cup of coffee in the morning,” she wrote. “Surprise weekend getaways.” Exercises of my choosing (hello, dance class!) “
With a baby on the way, Maria may have to say goodbye to her “stillness” as she takes on the new role of mother.