Maria Sharapova says she 'paid the price' for being seen as intimidating — but it led to her biggest wins

Sharapova said she wasn't affected by media perception or the labels placed on her, as she was fully committed to her sport.

"You know, I wasn't, because I was so focused on doing something I deeply loved. Like, I loved being an athlete. It was a huge part of my identity. When I woke up in the morning, and I put on my sportswear, that was my shield. Like, that was my armor," Sharapova said.

"Everyone in the players' lounge, on the court, was in the way of my success, and I was determined. And I think I did have to pay the price of that with those taglines, as you mentioned, but they got me incredible victories because I was determined and focused," she said.

This isn't the first time she has spoken about navigating media scrutiny. In a June 2019 interview with Glamour, Sharapova said she treated intrusive questions as part of the job.

"Questions can get tricky and they might not fall in line with what you have prepared for them to ask you and that's ok. That's how life is. You get things thrown at you and you have to deliver and accept them," she said.

Sharapova isn't alone in speaking about life in the public eye.

In March 2025, Michelle Obama said she protects her peace by avoiding social media comments.

"But through it all, what kept us sane — and we tried to instill this in our daughters — is, you cannot live through social media," Obama said. "I don't think I have ever once looked at a comment section, period."

Last week, WNBA star Angel Reese said she's come to see social media as a distorted version of reality.

"I think we get so caught up in that. Years prior, I would comment back at things and let things continue to bother me," Reese said, adding that she no longer tries to engage.

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