Maria Sharapova is going to be a mom. The former world no. 1 celebrated her 35th birthday in style, announcing on social media that she is pregnant with her first child with fiancé Alexander Gilkes.
The five-time Grand Slam champion, who retired back in February 2020, made the pregnancy announcement on her Instagram account on Tuesday, April 19, posting a message to coincide with her birthday.
CNN reported that the Russian tennis star posted a picture showing off her small bump while posing at the beach. Sharapova wrote "Precious beginnings!!! Eating birthday cake for two has always been my specialty" in her picture caption. Gilkes reacted to her fiancé's announcement, posting a simple heart-eye emoji.
Maria Sharapova and Gilkes got engaged back in 2020
Sharapova and British businessman Gilkes announced their engagement back in December 2020. The couple have been in a relationship since 2018 and Gilkes would often be seen in the tennis icon's playing box towards the end of her glittering career, according to Yahoo. Gilkes is close to British royalty, having attended Eton College before with Prince William and Prince Harry. He is also close friends with Princess Eugenie and Pippa Middleton.
Sharapova wrote on Instagram at the time of her engagement that she said yes from the first day they met and that this was their little secret. Sharapova's art dealer beau also celebrated their engagement, thanking her for making him a very very happy boy. He also wrote that he looked forward to a lifetime of loving his fiancé.
Sharapova admitted in September last year, though, that they have not set a date yet for their much-anticipated wedding. While this will be Sharapova's first marriage, Gilkes has already wed before. He married Meghan Markle's best friend Misha Nonoo in May 2012 before splitting in 2016.
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Fans and friends congratulate Sharapova and Gilkes with pregnancy news
Sharapova announced her retirement in 2020 after nearly two decades as a professional tennis player. She had an outstanding career on the tennis courts, winning 36 singles titles on the WTA Tour, including a Career Grand Slam.
She won the Australian Open in 2008, captured Roland Garros crowns in 2012 and 2014, lifted the Wimbledon trophy in 2004, and emerged victorious in the 2006 US Open. Sharapova was the world's no. 1 player on the WTA Rankings for 21 weeks. She also earned $38,777,962 in career prize money.
Several fans and friends flocked to the comments section of Sharapova's Instagram post to congratulate the pair with the pregnancy, according to Page Six . Lily Collins gushed with her congratulations while Helena Christensen wrote that this is so wonderful.
Fashion designer Anine Bing wrote that she was so excited for the couple with her comment peppered with heart emojis. Jewelry designer Jessica McCormack commented that she was so happy for the couple while Eleven Madison Park chef Daniel Humm posted three heart emojis in his comment.
