"I just don't like to fill up the oxygen with words" - Maria Sharapova on why she wouldn't make a good commentator

Maria Sharapova recently gave her thoughts about her prospects of becoming a commentator in the future, while speaking on the 'Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard' podcast.

Sharapova, a five-time Major winner, retired from professional tennis in 2020 due to a shoulder injury. Since then, the Russian has been focusing on her personal life. She and her long-time fiancé Alexander Gilkes welcomed their first child in July last year.

Maria Sharapova hasn't traveled to a lot of tennis tournaments since bringing the curtains down on her career. But she did make an appearance at the 2023 Canadian Open in Toronto, where she even got to speak with young female volunteers.

In that context, the former World No. 1 said on American actor Dax Shepard's podcast that she wouldn't make a good commentator as she is a concise speaker who doesn't "fill the oxygen with words." The 36-year-old added that she is good at making observations and that she always performs due diligence before giving her opinions.

"I'm not someone that says a lot, I don't speak all the time just to speak. I'm more of an observer and when I'm confident, I wanna say what I feel like when I've done enough research about something, conviction in my thoughts when I say it," she said. "That's why I didn't think I could be a good commentator because I just don't like to fill up the oxygen with words." (32:00)

Maria Sharapova earned the big bucks on and off the court during her illustrious career

Maria Sharapova poses with a Sugarpova packet at a press conference

Maria Sharapova began her career as a professional tennis player in 2001. The Russian didn't take long to reach the top rungs of the WTA tour, winning the 2004 Wimbledon title at the age of 17.

Sharapova would go on to win four more Major titles - at the 2006 US Open, 2008 Australian Open, 2012 French Open, and the 2014 French Open. She won 36 pro titles overall, which helped her rake in $38,777,962 in prize money winnings. Only Serena Williams ($94,816,730), Venus Williams ($42,595,397) and Simona Halep ($40,203,437) have won more prize money than Sharapova.

The Russian has also reportedly earned around $250 million in brand endorsements from Nike, Head, TAG Heuer, Porsche and Evian, among other prominent companies.

Maria Sharapova started her own brand of candy and gummies, Sugarpova, in 2013. Her business has evidently grown a lot; as per AS, it is valued at more than $150 million in 2023.