After Maria Sharapova announced her retirement on Wednesday morning, Ben is joined by Tumaini Carayol of The Guardian for an emergency episode to discuss her career and its many highs, lows, and controversies.
After expressing some relief that she's stopped, we discuss what made Sharapova keep pushing on through the pain so long, and also what our early memories of her career were. We discuss her arrival as a star, and then the darkening of that when she tested positive for a newly-banned substance in early 2016, which complicated and muddled a career which was already likely on its downhill.
We also share some of our favorite memories of Maria, and what made her such a tremendously satisfying antagonist on the tour--particularly for Serena Williams, whom she was a distant second behind in the end.
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Episode 245: The Path to WTA Coaching (with Tom Hill)
Episode 244: A Picture Perfect Tour, with Jimmie
Episode 243g: Australian Open - Novak Djokovic Eight 'Em Up
Episode 243f: Australian Open - Sofia Kenin's American Dream Come True
Episode 243e: Australian Open - Previewing the Finals
Episode 243d: Australian Open - Serena, Wang, Osaka & Gauff Stun Week 1
Episode 243c: Australian Open - Wozniacki & Jabeur, with Freddie & Reem
Episode 243b: Australian Open - Clearing the Air
Episode 243a: Australian Open - Where There's Smoke...
Episode 242: Australian Open 2020 Draw Preview
Episode 241: Battles in Brisbane; Serena Wins a Title
Episode 240: ATP Cup Begins; Fires Continue
Episode 239: Barbora Strycova
Episode 238b: Top 10 Defining Female Players of the Decade
Episode 238a: Top 10 Defining Male Players of the Decade
Episode 237: Tennis Power Plays with Lindsay Gibbs
Episode 236c: Reviewing New Davis Cup (with Eleanor Crooks)
Episode 236b: Farewells and Fair Blocks
Episode 236a: Tsitsipas is King in England; WTAsia Wrap
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