On the tennis court, she has other things to worry about besides her appearance as she puts her all into her game.
And despite being known as one of the more glamorous female tennis players, Maria Sharapova admits she doesn’t spend much time focused on her appearance.
As she poses for a stunning shoot with US magazine Self, the Russian athlete, 27, speaks about her body confidence and her changing attitude to fashion.
![Natural beauty: Tennis star Maria Sharapova poses in a seaside shoot for SELF magazine](https://tintucnghesi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/article-2729950-20AA1F5F00000578-936_634x949.jpg)
![Shapely: Maria shows off her athletic legs as she sprints towards the ocean](https://tintucnghesi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/article-2729950-20AA1F6500000578-663_634x422.jpg)
![The September SELF issues hits US newsstands nationwide on August 26th](https://tintucnghesi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/article-2729950-20AA1F5800000578-660_306x423.jpg)
She tells the September issue: ‘I have a competitive drive. It’s ferocious and powerful, and it’s about winning.
‘When I’m on the court, I’m not thinking about how I look. I do my ponytail in two seconds, and I’m not wearing a stitch of make-up. I’m confident in my skin, and I’m there to play the game.’
Reflecting when she first started out on the international tennis tournaments, she admitted her court style was a lot more colourful than it is now.
She explained: ‘I was a teenager. Of course I loved pinks and patterns!
‘Those one-off pieces were great for entertainment value.’
To celebrate her SELF cover, Maria met fans in New York City on Monday.
Dressed in a LBD, the athlete looked elegant and stunning as she hosted a Q&A about being a SELF Made Woman at the Sugarpova Pop Up Store in Manhattan.
Meanwhile, Maria is in good company since she’s been dating fellow tennis player, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov since 2012.
• The September SELF issues hits US newsstands nationwide on August 26th.
![Beach babe: With homes in Florida and California, it's no surprise the blonde is quite at home on the beach](https://tintucnghesi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/article-2729950-20AA1F6C00000578-547_634x949.jpg)
![Glamour: Maria Sharapova poses with her Self magazine cover at the Sugarpova pop-up in New York City](https://tintucnghesi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/article-0-20A01E9B00000578-70_634x867.jpg)