Maria Sharapova confirms Wimbledon 2024 presence, jokes about checking cell reception in call back to iconic 2004 moment after Serena Williams win

Maria Sharapova has confirmed her attendance at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. The former world No. 1 recently joked about checking cell reception in a throwback to the cell phone incident during her 2004 final victory over Serena Williams at SW19, when she couldn't call her mom during the trophy presentation ceremony on court.

Then-17-year-old Sharapova defeated Williams, who was aiming for her third consecutive Wimbledon title, with a score of 6–1, 6–4. The Russian went on to win four more Grand Slams before retiring in 2020.

On Thursday, Sharapova shared a video posted by the official Wimbledon Instagram account on her Instagram story, humorously reminiscing about the cell phone incident. In the caption of the video, she joked about getting an improved signal for her mobile phone at this year's edition.

“I'll find out if my cell reception has improved from center court this year," Maria Sharapova said.

Maria Sharapova's Instagram story

In the video posted, a reporter asked Sharapova if she could get a signal on her phone. She recounted attempting to call her mom, who was flying to New York, but the signal kept dropping. Sharapova said:

“No, it keeps switching off, I don't know what is wrong with it. I was trying to call my mom and I turned it on but it keeps turning off, Common Technology, come on!"

"It was at the time when this small televisions were becoming to be a big thing on airplanes and she was flying with the TV on and she saw me win, 30,000ft above ground and then on the court as I won I went to my bag and I hugged my father and I reached to my bag and then I wanted to get my phone out and call her forgetting that she is on the plane and meanwhile she is watching me trying to call her and she is asking the flight 'is there anything I can do? Thats my daughter”

After the tournament, American telecommunications and mobile phone company Motorola signed the Russian as an ambassador.

Maria Sharapova discusses Wimbledon 2004 win over Serena Williams revealing tennis business to her

Day Two: The Championships - Wimbledon 2018

In an interview with Bloomberg Live in October 2023, the five-time Grand Slam winner revealed that winning Wimbledon in 2004 brought her to the realization that tennis is about more than just winning and losing. She also admitted that as a teenager, she didn't fully grasp the high stakes involved beyond the tennis match and saw it as an opportunity to wear a nice dress.

"At 17, I was playing the finals of Wimbledon on the biggest stage of my career essentially against Serena Williams. There was a lot on the line. But as a teenager you're not really aware of what's on the line except a tennis match and perhaps a ball where you get to wear a nice dress," Maria Sharapova said. (2:04)

"It was a lesson in partnerships and winning. Going back to New York and going through the media rounds, it was the moment when I realised that sport was more than just about winning and losing. That this was a business, that you walk out on to the stage and you have a platform and you have a voice," she said.

In addition to Motorola, Maria Sharapova served as an ambassador for jewelry maker Tiffany, luxury watch brand Tag Heuer, Pepsi, and Nike. Following her 2004 Wimbledon victory, Sharapova also achieved success by winning the French Open twice, as well as the US Open and the Australian Open.