'Tennis Goddess' Sharapova Engaged to British Businessman... Friend of Prince William

Dating since early 2018... Caught on a date
Fianc? says, "Thank you for making me a happy boy"

Retired tennis star Sharapova. Photo by Sharapova SNS capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Retired popular tennis player Mariya Sharapova (33, Russia) has become engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes (41).

On the 18th, Sharapova posted photos and videos with Gilkes on social media, writing, "From the day we first met, I said yes," and added, "This was our little secret. Isn't that right, Gilkes?"

Gilkes also posted on his social media the same day, saying, "Thank you for making me a very happy boy. Thank you for saying yes to my proposal," and "I look forward to a lifetime together, loving you and learning from you, Sharapova."

International media outlets such as People and Today also reported the couple's engagement on the same day.

On the 18th, it was reported that Maria Sharapova (33, Russia) got engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes (41). Photo by Sharapova SNS capture.

Their relationship was made public in early 2018. Since then, they were seen dating at the Met Gala in May 2019 and arm-in-arm at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in February 2020.

Sharapova, who announced her retirement last February, is a popular female tennis star.

At the age of 17 in 2004, she defeated Serena Williams (USA) in the Wimbledon singles. She then won the US Open in 2006, the Australian Open in 2008, and the French Open in 2012 and 2014, achieving a career Grand Slam.

In 2005, she also reached the world No. 1 ranking. Combining beauty and talent, Sharapova was nicknamed the "Russian Beauty."

Sharapova also served as the flag bearer for the Russian team at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.

On the 18th, it was reported that Maria Sharapova (33, Russia) got engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes (41). Photo by Gilkes SNS capture.

Additionally, from 2005 to 2015, for 11 consecutive years, she ranked first in earnings among female athletes according to the American business magazine Forbes.

However, Sharapova played her final match after losing to Donna Veki? in the first round of the 2020 Australian Open.

After retirement, Sharapova has been active as a businesswoman, running the candy company "Sugarpova."

Sharapova's fianc?, Gilkes, currently operates a company called Squared Circles and works as an art dealer.

Sharapova (right) and Gilks. Photo by Sharapova SNS capture.

Gilkes is a co-founder of the online art auction company "Paddle8" and is also known as a close friend of Prince William of the UK.

It is reported that Prince William and Gilkes have been close since attending the prestigious British private school Eton College. Gilkes was also invited to the "Royal Wedding" of Princess Eugenie of the UK in 2018.

Gilkes was previously married to famous British fashion designer Misha Nonoo (35) in 2012 but divorced in 2017.

This will be Sharapova's first marriage and second engagement. In October 2010, she was engaged to former NBA player Sasha Vuja?i? (Slovenia) but broke off the engagement in 2012. From 2013, she dated tennis player Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) but they separated in 2015.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.