While Sharpova practiced all day at Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy in Florida, her father had to work multiple low-paying jobs to pay for rent, groceries and tennis course fees. She and her father slept on an armchair in a small apartment rented by a middle-aged Russian woman. Sharapova writes in the newly published book “Unstoppable”: “We have to pay 250 USD per month to use the kitchen, bathroom, living room to watch TV, which is very important because it is how I learn English.”

And those hardships paid off. 10 years after coming to America, at the age of 17, Sharapova won the championship at Wimbledon in 2004 and the prize money was quite large: 560,500 pounds (about 725 thousand USD). Currently, she is 31 years old and has earned more than 38 million USD in her career and has been the highest paid female athlete for 11 consecutive years.

Sharing with CNBC, she said that growing up in hardship affected the way she managed money amounting to millions of dollars. Although she is very successful on the court, she plans for the future as if her career will end tomorrow. That’s part of the reason she launched her candy company, Sugarpova, in 2012, with the long-term goal of building a lifestyle brand after retiring from her soccer career.

The world’s top tennis player shares: “When you’re young and successful and achieving your goals and everything in life is going for you, you tend to think those things will continue.” years from now. It’s important to be realistic about what tomorrow might bring, about trauma, about someone leaving, about who might come into your life and become your competitor.”

The tennis queen also realized that “in the end, money doesn’t bring you happiness like outsiders see”. She added: “Of course, you can buy many things with money, but all of those things are only temporary.”

Although the tennis queen earns a lot of money, she does not spend money on ostentatious things like yachts.

Below is CNBC’s interview with Sharapova about making and managing money.

What is your first memory related to money?

Maria Sharapova: Probably when my mom gave me a stuffed bunny at a New Year’s Eve party and told me not to tell my dad because it was more expensive than he wanted to spend on a gift.

Who taught you lessons about money?

Probably my parents. They influenced my decisions when I was very young and I think that’s a great thing.

How much is your first pocket money?

Less than 5 or 6 USD/week.

What was your first job?

Tennis player

What was the first car you owned and how much did it cost?

I don’t think I had a car until I got financed. But my family’s first car was a Honda and I still remember the feeling of pressing the button to open and close the automatic windows was truly wonderful. The feeling at that moment was: “I’ve never seen this before. It’s so cool.”

What flashy things do you not like?

I don’t like yachts. People tend to spend time on yachts during the summer when they have a lot of money. But I like being on land.

What is the one thing that doesn’t cost anything that brings you joy?

Laughter, hugs. All are free.

To you, what is money?

Money is only temporary.

Legendary tennis player Andy Murray announced his retirement in tears