Red hot Maria

Leaving behind the frozen winters of Siberia, for the Florida tennis academies aged only seven, Maria Sharapova took just a decade to scale the giddy heights of Grand Slam success at Wimbledon, a landmark win that has paved the way to making her the world`s richest sportswoman.

The 6/1, 6/4 victory over the then mighty Serena Williams at the All England club in 2004 put her on the tennis map forever while the combination of her stunning good looks and subsequent Flushing Meadows and Australian Open titles ensure she earns around 30 million dollars a year from her collection of blue chip sponsors.

Images: Maria Sharapova of Russia warms up during the DFS Classic at the Edgbaston Priory Club. Getty Images (Any unauthorised reproduction is prohibited)

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