Former world number one Maria Sharapova on Tuesday used the occasion of her 35th birthday to announce that she was pregnant with her first child.
The Russian five-time Grand Slam champion, who retired from the sport in 2020, shared the news on Instagram to her 4.2 million followers.
"Precious beginnings!!!," she wrote alongside a photo of her standing on a beach and smiling.
"Eating birthday cake for two has always been my specialty."
In December, Sharapova and British businessman Alexander Gilkes announced their engagement.
Although she competed under the Russian flag during her career - and is the only Russian woman to have won a career Grand Slam - Sharapova has lived in the United States since she came to the country as a young tennis prodigy.


FBI increasing reward for information in Guthrie case to $100,000
Berlin Film Festival kicks off with nod to new voices from Michelle Yeoh
Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek dies at 48
Jonas Brothers, NE-YO to perform at OFFLIMITS festival
