Maria Sharapova Expecting First Child With Alexander Gilkes

Maria Sharapova, who won all four grand slam tennis titles during her career, turned 35 on Tuesday. The day will be remembered for more than one reason as she announced she and fiancé Alexander Gilkes are expecting their first child.

Maria Sharapova made a really sweet pregnancy announcement. On her 35th birthday, the former tennis star announced on Instagram that she and fiancé Alexander Gilkes are expecting their first child together. She captioned a picture of herself on the beach cradling her growing baby bump.

Precious beginnings!!! 🤍👼🏻 Eating birthday cake for two has always been my specialty ☺️🐣🎂

The former world No. 1 was one of the most famous tennis players in the world during her career. She is one of just ten women in history to win all four grand slam titles, with a total of five major titles. Fans and friends flocked to the comments section to congratulate Sharapova and Gilkes, both 42, on their happy news.

Erin Andrews simply wrote: “Congrats!”

Vinazine app cofounder Olivia June chimed in with: “@gilkesa YOU TWO ARE GOING TO HAVE THE MOST SPECTACULAR BABY! Congrats on the best year ever ahead!! 😍❤️🎂 👼🏻.”

The account for Therabody, the company in which Sharapova serves as Strategic Advisor, added: “OMG! Happy Birthday Maria and congrats on this special moment! We can’t wait to meet your bundle of joy! 🤗.”

The five-time Grand Slam winner announced her engagement to Gilkes, a British businessman and co-founder of online auction site Paddle8, in December 2020. In 2018, the pair made their romance public for the first time.

Prior to Gilkes proposing, Sharapova had retired from the sport she had dominated for nearly two decades, confirming her decision to leave the court in a guest editorial for Vanity Fair in February.

What’s your take on this story? Sound off in the comments!