Celebrity watchers regularly descend upon Wimbledon for the tournament’s opening day, though some familiar faces are more recognisable than others. Spotting David Beckham in an Instagram post wouldn’t have posed much difficulty for fans earlier this year, but the former Wimbledon champion beaming beside him might have left some scratching their heads.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and England player is a frequent visitor to the All England Club. Consequently, he’s rubbed shoulders with tennis’s elite, forging what appears to be a genuine friendship with five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova. The latter was all smiles as she posed with Beckham in a heartwarming photograph shared on her Instagram, captioned: “Let the (Wimbledon) games begin”.
However, she appeared dramatically transformed from the statuesque, blonde sporting icon supporters remembered throughout her 19-year professional career.
At 38, Sharapova had swapped her signature fair hair for a shorter, darker style – and the difference was striking.
Sharapova’s appearance alongside Beckham seemed like more of a catch-up than an initial meeting.
The duo were previously photographed together on social media last year at a Stella Artois function, mingling with the likes of Hollywood star Matt Damon and rapper Ludacris.
Sharapova, despite retiring from professional tennis, remains a prominent figure in the public eye, often spotted at glamorous events and boasting high-profile sponsorship deals.
Her rise to fame was meteoric, clinching the Wimbledon title at just 17 years old in 2004, defeating Serena Williams in the final.
Sharapova’s illustrious career included a US Open victory, an Australian Open triumph, and two French Open titles, propelling her to the pinnacle of women’s tennis.
However, it was her initial Wimbledon win that was particularly memorable, and according to Sharapova, ignited a strained relationship with Williams.
In her 2017 autobiography ‘Unstoppable: My Life so Far’, she wrote: “I think Serena hated me for being the skinny kid who beat her, against all the odds, at Wimbledon.
“I think she hated me for taking something that she believes belong to her. I think she hated me for seeing her at her lowest moment. But mostly I think she hated me for hearing her cry. She’s never forgiven me for it.”