Maria Sharapova's agent, Max Eisenbud, recently opened up about the dynamic between Sharapova and her father, Yuri. Eisenbud revealed that Yuri's intense push for success had begun to affect his relationship with his daughter, forcing him to step away from her career after she won her third Grand Slam title.
Sharapova's third Major came at the 2008 Australian Open, adding to her triumphs at the 2004 Wimbledon Championships and 2006 US Open. The former World No. 1 lifted her first Melbourne Slam trophy by defeating Ana Ivanovic in straight sets, thereby becoming the first Russian to win it.
During a recent episode of the 'Served with Andy Roddick' podcast, Eisenbud recounted a moment when Yuri made a toast while celebrating Sharapova's victory Down Under. Yuri expressed satisfaction with the former World No. 1's Grand Slam performance and declared that he was done being involved in her tennis career.
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"After she [Maria Sharapova] won her third Grand Slam at Australia, I think that's 2008. She won three Grand Slams by the age of 20. We were all getting a little drunk, celebrating and he made a toast. I will never forget the toast, he said, 'Baby, we won three Grand Slams by the age of 19 and I'm done'. He never came to a tournament after that date," Eisenbud said (at 17:19).
Eisenbud then delved deep into the matter, explaining that Yuri's decision stemmed from his realization that his intense push for his daughter's success was beginning to strain their relationship, something he wanted to avoid.
"The reason why he said is he did everything he could for her. He pushed her as much and he was getting to the point she was 19 that it was starting to affect their relationship," the veteran agent said (at 17:49).
"He saw this happening 18 months in advance. He knew that he couldn't push her anymore and he accomplished everything that she did and he stepped away. He never had a credential ever again since 2008, never went to any tournament," he continued.
Maria Sharapova's agent Max Eisenbud on her father: "When Yuri was in player's box, he was a lunatic"
Max Eisenbud described Maria Sharapova's father, Yuri, as a "lunatic" when he was in his daughter's player's box, as the Russian believed such behavior was necessary to push the five-time Grand Slam champion to her limits.
"When Yuri was in the player's box, he was a lunatic and I would tell that right through his face. I mean, everyone saw that. But, he was doing that because he knew that's what she needed to be pushed," Eisenbud said (at 16:44).
Eisenbud also noted how Yuri never granted interviews despite numerous lucrative offers and dedicated his life to Sharapova's success without seeking any personal credit.
"Behind the scenes, the guy is probably one of the smartest guys I've ever been around. He never did an interview in his life. Everything was about his daughter. He wanted no credit. He got paid to do it, he got offers to do it, everything, never once would he ever do an interview," Eisenbud continued.
