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Unstoppable: My Life So Far

Maria Sharapova,

Мария Шарапова

4.02 · Rating details · 2,959 ratings · 386 reviews

From Maria Sharapova, one of our fiercest female athletes, the captivating—and candid—story of her rise from nowhere to tennis stardom, and the unending fight to stay on top.

In 2004, in a stunning upset against the two-time defending champion Serena Williams, seventeen-year-old Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon, becoming an overnight sensation. Out of virtual anonymity, she la From Maria Sharapova, one of our fiercest female athletes, the captivating—and candid—story of her rise from nowhere to tennis stardom, and the unending fight to stay on top.

In 2004, in a stunning upset against the two-time defending champion Serena Williams, seventeen-year-old Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon, becoming an overnight sensation. Out of virtual anonymity, she launched herself onto the international stage. “Maria Mania” was born. Sharapova became a name and face recognizable worldwide. Her success would last: she went on to hold the number-one WTA ranking multiple times, to win four more Grand Slam tournaments, and to become one of the highest-grossing female athletes in the world.

And then—at perhaps the peak of her career—Sharapova came up against the toughest challenge yet: during the 2016 Australian Open, she was charged by the ITF with taking the banned substance meldonium, only recently added to the ITF’s list. The resulting suspension would keep her off the professional courts for fifteen months—a frighteningly long time for any athlete. The media suggested it might be fateful.

But Sharapova’s career has always been driven by her determination and by her dedication to hard work. Her story doesn’t begin with the 2004 Wimbledon championship, but years before, in a small Russian town, where as a five-year-old she played on drab neighborhood courts with precocious concentration. It begins when her father, convinced his daughter could be a star, risked everything to get them to Florida, that sacred land of tennis academies. It begins when the two arrived with only seven hundred dollars and knowing only a few words of English. From that, Sharapova scraped together one of the most influential sports careers in history.

Here, for the first time, is the whole story, and in her own words. Sharapova’s is an unforgettable saga of dedication and fortune. She brings us inside her pivotal matches and illuminates the relationships that have shaped her—with coaches, best friends, boyfriends, and Yuri, her coach, manager, father, and most dedicated fan, describing with honesty and affection their oft-scrutinized relationship. She writes frankly about the suspension. As Sharapova returns to the professional circuit, one thing is clear: the ambition to win that drove her from the public courts of Russia to the manicured lawns of Wimbledon has not diminished.

Sharapova’s Unstoppable is a powerful memoir, resonant in its depiction of the will to win—whatever the odds. ...more

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Kindle Edition, 283 pages

Published September 12th 2017 by Sarah Crichton Books

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Jan 23, 2018 Emer (A Little Haze) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: 2stars, reviewed, read2018, non-fiction

I am a massive tennis fan. Fanatical at times. And I keenly follow both the men's ATP and women's WTA circuits. Maria Sharapova was always a player I admired. More often than not when watching her matches I cheered for her to win. Every time she stepped on the court for a competitive match she gave it everything. Her tenacity and drive were comparable with the best of the best that have ever played the sport professionally. She committed to every point in a match & you knew if you were going to ...more

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Oct 12, 2017 Sean Peters rated it really liked it

Firstly, thank you to Net Galley, the publishers and Maria Sharapova, for an advanced copy for an honest review...

I believe I can give a honest review, as a former tennis coach for fifteen years, a player for thirty years, and a fan of men's and ladies tennis, who watches tennis all the time... and on the ATP and WTA website everyday !!

Firstly let me say that Maria Sharapova is an intelligent lady, and her honesty and forthright comments I am sure will shock some fans and also some players...

Thi ...more

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Sep 18, 2017 Daniel Balici rated it really liked it

Shelves: between-4-and-5, nonfiction, kindle, netgalley, read-in-2017

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

A pro athlete really dies twice. At the end, like everyone else, but also at somewhere closer to the beginning, when she loses the only life she's ever known.

While I have been known to seldom read nonfiction, every now and then I find myself curious to read the autobiography/memoir of a certain famous person, specially an athlete, whose life and career I deem interesting. I think that behind one's success often lies an extraordinary and inspirational story which proves that anything that might initially seem impossible to achieve we can make it possible when the self-belief and willingness are strong enough and we are surrounded by people who desire to help us succeed. Maria Sharapova's life story is a perfect example to illustrate that. Although I have never been a fan of Sharapova's detached and arrogant on and off the court demeanour, her sometimes sarcastic remarks about other players and her loud and well known grunting, I strongly believe that she is a valuable asset to the tennis world and history, even after the big and ongoing controversy surrounding her 2-year suspension by ITF (eventually reduced to 15 months) and subsequent return to the WTA tour.

When Maria started working on this book she was seriously thinking about retiring from professional tennis in the near future. Her memoir was therefore meant to be a farewell. Her career obviously took an unforeseen turn at the beginning of 2016 when she received an email from ITF in which she was informed that she had tested positive for meldonium at the Australian Open and that she would be suspended from competion immediately.

In the intriguing prologue Sharapova describes the moment when she read the email from ITF and the different reactions she was overwhelmed by: shock, frustration, injustice. After researching on meldonium (known to her as mildronate and taken for medical reasons since 2006), a substance believed to be performance-enhancing, albeit not scientifically proven, and banned in sport since 1st of January 2016, she reached the conclusion that even though she was culpable for not checking the new list of prohibited drugs, she in no case deserved to be called a cheater and suspended for a 4-year period. All these unfortunate events reignited her passion for tennis and desire to return to the WTA tour as soon as possible and consequently she decided to fight against ITF for a reduced ban. Unstoppable turned out to be not a farewell, but rather an assurance that Sharapova is back in the game and motivated to reach the top once again. From this perspective I would personally interpret the title choice some people have complained about.

It is important to know that although the subject of her suspension necessitated a revealing discussion, it only accounts for a small part of the book. The first half is mainly about Sharapova's introduction to tennis at the early age of 4 in Sochi, her father's decision to immigrate with his little girl to the U.S. so that her talent could be properly harnessed, the financial and tennis-related difficulties they had experienced during the first years living in Florida and how they managed to overcome some of those problems by benefiting from certain people's benevolence, her WTA tour debut and Wimbledon win at 17 years old, when she defeated Serena Williams in the final.

The tennis parent is the will of the player before the player has formed a will of her own.

In the second half of the book Sharapova continues to talk about the most prestigious tournaments she has won, the coaches she has hired or fired, her fierce rivalry with Serena Williams, the shoulder reconstruction surgery she underwent in 2008 and subsequent rehabilation, her relationships with Sasha Vujacic and Grigor Dimitrov.

Unstoppable is a well-written and heartfelt memoir which, as an avid tennis fan, I enjoyed immensely. I truly appreciate Sharapova for having the courage to open her heart to the public and speak very frankly about arguably the most difficult and emotionally consuming year she has experienced as a tennis player and public figure. I must admit that she grew on me both as an athlete and a mere human being and I am looking forward to seeing what she will be able to accomplish now that she resumed her tennis career. I found her autobiography unputdownable and I highly recommend it to those who love tennis just as much as I do, but also to the readers who are interested in an excellent and memorable autobiography/memoir.

Special thanks go to NetGalley, Penguin Books (UK) and Particular Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Sep 15, 2017 Keep Calm Novel On rated it did not like it

An interesting title as she is not unstoppable. Sharapova has been stopped by her drug use. She cheated and got caught--shameful. Her character or lack there of has been revealed. This autobiography lacks honesty and integrity. Not a role model for aspiring athletes.

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Sep 16, 2017 Richard rated it really liked it

As a fan of most sports I have always enjoyed learning more about the game through the lives of those playing and personally involved.
My tennis knowledge is based on watchjng Wimbledon from a child and when I had children myself taking them to UK tournaments in Birmingham and Nottingham.
I was therefore blessed to watch Sharapova warm up and play a singles match. I was struck by her commitment and drive. So when offered a chance to read an early ARC of Maria's book "Unstoppable" I was delighted.
F As a fan of most sports I have always enjoyed learning more about the game through the lives of those playing and personally involved.
My tennis knowledge is based on watchjng Wimbledon from a child and when I had children myself taking them to UK tournaments in Birmingham and Nottingham.
I was therefore blessed to watch Sharapova warm up and play a singles match. I was struck by her commitment and drive. So when offered a chance to read an early ARC of Maria's book "Unstoppable" I was delighted.
From the first page I have found myself totally immersed in her story. I enjoyed the friendly and honest disclosures and those wonderful insights into her mental as well as physical conditioning.
The sacrifice that had to be made to turn a promising 4 year old who could hit a tennis ball into a champion is indeed a remarkable account. How she has focused so much of her youth to leave her home and follow her father's dream to the USA. How she learned to trust others and be wary of the girls who would be her competitors for the majority of her growing up.
I think what struck a chord with me early in the piece was her honesty and approach to winning and losing. Her motivation was to succeed and beat all the other girls but that came through a routine and long hours of practice.
The elephant in the room remains her recent drug ban. She meets this head on and concludes with her response to all her critics. It was interesting that she was already planning her retirement and this book before that scandal hit the headlines in early 2016. That she battled back to return to tennis and compete is remarkable until you read this book and see how Maria overcame a serious shoulder injury in her career. You as left judging the sports woman solely on her record and the joy she has brought fans of tennis.
She may remain a controversial figure in the world of Tennis but after reading this book I can not be anything other than a fan. When she finally retires the game will lose a great ambassador and I trust everyone will not rush to judge in ignorance but from the facts and that history will judge her as a true champion of her sport based on her record alone.
At a time when other players courted fame and publicity as soon as it came their way, it was a refreshing change to see a child to grow into a young woman and a mature adult. Maria will always have her distractors but anyone reading her own story will share my appreciation of a writer who has opened her heart and allowed us to share Centre Court with her. ...more

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Sep 02, 2017 Olivia Wild rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Most Brilliant Autobiography for Tennis Fans

I love tennis, but I’ve never been a particular fan of Maria (or Masha, as I learned from the book) Sharapova. Despite this, I couldn’t put down ‘Unstoppable’. I was hooked from the first word to the last. This book is not your usual memoir of a top professional tennis player. Its raw honesty allows you to have a rare and unique glimpse into the world of professional tennis and what it takes to get into it.
Let me start this review by praising Yuri The Most Brilliant Autobiography for Tennis Fans

I love tennis, but I’ve never been a particular fan of Maria (or Masha, as I learned from the book) Sharapova. Despite this, I couldn’t put down ‘Unstoppable’. I was hooked from the first word to the last. This book is not your usual memoir of a top professional tennis player. Its raw honesty allows you to have a rare and unique glimpse into the world of professional tennis and what it takes to get into it.
Let me start this review by praising Yuri Sharapov, Maria’s dad. This memoir superbly describes the struggle he had on his hands. If you’re a parent thinking about teaching your extremely talented and willing little one to play tennis with some high hopes for the future, this book is the ultimate must read for you. You can find out a lot about the true extent you have to be prepared to go in order to give your offspring a realistic chance to make it to the ranks of the pros.
What Maria Sharapova’s father achieved is nothing short of unbelievably amazing. He demonstrated total commitment, dedication, and determination to help his daughter achieve his ultimate dream. Starting from living in poverty in an isolated city in the collapsing Soviet Union, he made his daughter the most celebrated young champion of Wimbledon in just 13 years.
This book is not for you if you want to read tennis gossip. It’s edited to perfection and shows that the author is as focused on emphasizing the important things surrounding professional tennis as she usually is on the tennis court to win her next point. Her insights make this memoir ‘unputdownable’.
Particularly interesting parts are her truly honest descriptions of her encounters with Serena Williams. I’ve been a great fan of Serena, and Maria’s account of why she thinks she has such a bad – 2 to19 up to date – record against her was really thought provoking for me. I might have even figured out what may help her to beat Serena in the future. However, my theory is beyond the extent of this review. Then there are some parts in this autobiography where I had to laugh out loud. One of it was the story of hiring and firing Jimmy Connor as a coach.
If there is only one good thing which came out of Maria Sharapova’s unfair doping ban, then it’s the superb quality of this memoir. She managed to find the time to make it brilliant. On the downside the millions of tennis fans had to miss watching her play for 15 whole months which included the Rio Olympics.
The simple fact that the medication she occasionally took for more than a decade was legal up to the beginning of 2016, and she had not a single warning from the authorities during the year of 2015, tells it all. I’m amazed that WADA doesn’t test urine samples for newly added banned substances during notice periods. A single warning from WADA in 2015 would have been enough for her to avoid this unnecessary 15 months ban.
Recently even some of Maria’s WTA competitors are calling her a doper. I strongly recommend them to read at least the last few pages of this book which includes the findings of the CAS panel. The only thing these girls prove is that they’re scared of being no match for Sharapova on the court, so they have to try to ‘put her down’ outside the court.
For Masha I have this message:
Congratulations for reaching round 4 in the 2017 US Open after that long break and multiple injuries. Carry on, girl! Beat them all!

This review can also be found on my website:
https://oliviawildbooks.wordpress.com... ...more

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Sep 19, 2017 Gary rated it really liked it

Firstly I would like to point out that I am neither a huge Tennis fan or have any particular allegiance to Maria Sharapova but I was drawn to this book by the description I read about the book. This is the story of a 6 year old girl who was taken by her father from Russia to Florida in an effort to make her a successful Tennis player. With very little money and a minimum of English both Maria and her father show tremendous determination, drive and belief to achieve their goals. It tells how a fa ...more

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Nov 27, 2017 Lou rated it really liked it

Tennis is one of the handful of sports that I don't like to miss when it's viewable on television and have watched all the televised tournaments since I was a young girl. Of course, being British my favourite grand slam has to be Wimbledon - taking place in the summer months when the grass is lush and green. I plan to get tickets on a year that I know I'll be able to attend.

I am not usually one for autobiographical books but when I was offered the chance to read an advance copy of UNSTOPPABLE - Tennis is one of the handful of sports that I don't like to miss when it's viewable on television and have watched all the televised tournaments since I was a young girl. Of course, being British my favourite grand slam has to be Wimbledon - taking place in the summer months when the grass is lush and green. I plan to get tickets on a year that I know I'll be able to attend.

I am not usually one for autobiographical books but when I was offered the chance to read an advance copy of UNSTOPPABLE - MY LIFE SO FAR I jumped at the chance! It is the first autobiography I have read and found engaging throughout in many years. Those who have an interest in tennis know something of the sacrifice players make in order to get to the top of their game but not a lot of people know the full story so this book was a must-read for me.

In 2016, before the results of a drug test banned her from tennis, Maria Sharapova thought about the end of her career. She would play until the U.S. Open of 2017 and then walk away at age 30, her playing days complete no matter the results on court. These days retirement isn’t in her mind. After a 15-month suspension she’s competing again and, at the U.S. Open, played better than anyone expected. This performance rejuvenated her and she had a renewed interest in the game and in winning again. Due to this she decided she would carry on playing on tour for several more years.

Yuri, Maria's (Masha's) father believed in her talent from a young age and made the decision to move to the United States from Russia in 1994 in order to further Maria's career prospects. Due to visa issues this meant leaving her mother behind in the family home thousands of miles away. Little did she know, it would be around two years until she saw her mother again. I know that I would have found that very difficult as a child but tiny Maria was tough. If her father had thought that everything would fall into place soon after their emigration that illusion would soon be shattered and the hardest few years would be upon them.

The book goes on to discuss - her first Grand Slam victory at Wimbledon against Serena Williams. Then the aftermath and both the pros and cons of becoming a tennis professional and the celebrity status that comes with that, the journey to the number one spot and the impact it had on her life.

I enjoyed reading about Sharapova and the life she has dedicated to her sport. I feel it was a frank and honest look at her life and the highs and lows as well as her feelings.

I highly recommend this book to all fans of tennis, it's a well written, thought provoking read that leaves you with a lot of admiration for Sharapova. ...more

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Sep 05, 2017 Pippa Ainsworth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2017, 40-books-while-i-m-40

I love a good Sports memoir so I was keen to read Maria Sharapova's autobiography. I wasn't disappointed. With a sometimes humorous and always honest look back over her 30 years of life Sharapova takes you on a journey from her conception, in a region affected by the Chernobyl disaster, through to her youngest days in Sochi and her move to America as a seven year old.
Unlike many sporting memoirs this isn't simply a list of matches played and how she approached them and felt afterwards., although ...more

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Apr 19, 2017 Lidia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Before reading:
I use this comment to say a huge happy birthday to my tennis idol Maria Sharapova! Wishes for health, love and plenty of success on and off court! And beat all of your opponents! I can't wait to read this book! :)

After reading:
This book made me love Maria even more! Such a great human-being and an amazing champion! I love to read about her tough childhood, her first years in the USA and all of the sacrifices of her family! I remembered all of her significant matches, including the ...more

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Sep 18, 2017 Barbara rated it it was ok

2.5 Unstoppable is easy to read but lacking in real depth. Maria Sharapova's personal story of coming to America at a very young age (without her mother) with a dream to become a tennis superstar is intriguing. The problem is her memoir is superficial. The reader never really learns her real feelings about her parents, what made her a winner and just about everything she discusses. The one thing you do come away with is how the world of a pro athlete is big business. ...more

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Sep 03, 2017 Joan rated it really liked it

There is no doubt that Maria Sharapova is a fantastic athlete, or that she is always 100% committed to her chosen sport. I always knew these two facts, but this autobiography has taught me so much more about this talented and fiercely competitive tennis player. As well as being a five time Grand Slam winner, and one of the very few ladies to hold titles in all four Grand Slams, she has overcome an agonising shoulder injury, undergoing corrective surgery and still bouncing back. Indeed my facts m There is no doubt that Maria Sharapova is a fantastic athlete, or that she is always 100% committed to her chosen sport. I always knew these two facts, but this autobiography has taught me so much more about this talented and fiercely competitive tennis player. As well as being a five time Grand Slam winner, and one of the very few ladies to hold titles in all four Grand Slams, she has overcome an agonising shoulder injury, undergoing corrective surgery and still bouncing back. Indeed my facts may be wrong even before this autobiography is published, as Maria is currently through to the last week of the 2017 USA Grand Slam Championships. Who knows where it will all end?
Her parents were forced to move away from their home after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. They fled to Siberia amidst the furore of speculation as to what would happen to nearby residents after the grey clouds of nuclear fallout finally settled down. Her father had a new tennis racked gifted to him and that’s what started the family passion for tennis. After being spotted by Martina Navratilova in her homeland and taking up her suggestion that Maria should move to the USA to further develop her natural talent, Yuri Sharapova started collecting the necessary papers to indeed take his daughter to America. They set off when Maria was six years old, leaving Maria’s mother behind. They had very little money, but were filled with hope and determination. It would be years and years until Maria’s mother was able to join her family and by then Maria was westernised and competing in junior events. This was just the start of what was to come next: as told in this fascinating, enjoyable and informative autobiography.
Maria is comprehensive and disciplined in her writing. She describes the ups and downs of her tennis career; her rivalries, her strengths and weaknesses, her attitude to practice sessions; her relationship with her much valued team, her star status, her wealth and even her romances. She tells everything right down to the controversial drug test failure after the Australian Grand Slam Championships early in 2016, which could have brought a premature ending to her sparkling career. She fought through that with the tenacity she shows on court. She was determined to prove she was not a drug abuser, a cheat and to clear her besmirched name. Mission accomplished.
I became really absorbed in her beautifully written story. It reminded me of the many times I have enjoyed watching her successes and failures on the TV screen. I remembered about some of the stories she told, but I learnt so much more from reading this remarkable autobiography. I would like to thank NetGalley and publisher Particular Books for a copy of 'Unstoppable: My Life So Far', sent to me in return for an honest review. I’m not an avid reader of celebrity autobiographies, but I am a tennis player and therefore a fan of many current and past tennis stars. I have read their autobiographies and this one compares very favourably. It’s a 9/10 review from me and a recommendation that this is a very frank, sometimes amusing and enjoyable read.
...more

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Sep 04, 2017 Miles rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviews

Like many people with an interest in sport or tennis I found myself caught up in the huge news story about Maria Sharapova found guilty of taking performance enhancing drugs – namely Meldonium – in 2016. Who was to blame and why did it happen, all this and more is answered in Unstoppable.

I have to admit I really enjoyed reading the biography about one of tennis’s most glamorous female players to have graced the court, certainly in the last decade or so. Not that glamour has any right to win ten Like many people with an interest in sport or tennis I found myself caught up in the huge news story about Maria Sharapova found guilty of taking performance enhancing drugs – namely Meldonium – in 2016. Who was to blame and why did it happen, all this and more is answered in Unstoppable.

I have to admit I really enjoyed reading the biography about one of tennis’s most glamorous female players to have graced the court, certainly in the last decade or so. Not that glamour has any right to win tennis matches, just look at Anna Kournikova. She never reached a slam final and although talented never quite made the grade. I digress!

The narrative is easy to read and flows well, it’s a great writing team. The style is interesting too, I can’t quite put my finger on it but it flows well and delves into many of Maria’s struggles from nothing to five time grand slam champion. One of the highlights for me was learning more about her early life, the support and driven nature of her father Yuri, and leaving her mother behind in Russia for two years when she moved to Florida for coaching. It just shows how strong she was as a young girl to cope mentally without the physical support of her mother in America.

When they arrive in Florida neither father or daughter speak English yet through sheer determination they work their way into the US tennis fraternity and her tennis life begins in earnest. We discover her thoughts on Serena Williams, why she wouldn’t watch her practice and why she believes Williams has the better of the Russian.

Another interesting period was when she left Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy (now IMG owned) and had to settle for another academy that really ended on a sour note. You’ll just have to read the book on that!

As I mentioned at the top of the review many reading the book will be interested to hear what Maria thought of the failed drug test following the Australian Open in Melbourne, the two year ban and the fallout from the news. Most of us at the time were expecting Maria to announce her retirement but what came from the press conference was a complete shock. Although she does cover the topic towards the end of the book, her irregular EKG results and the fact she’d been taking the drug for over 10 years I did want to read more. The newspapers went to town, there’s nothing greater than the sport of building someone up just to knock them down at the earliest opportunity. As Maria says in her biography – the newspapers really went after her. Everything she had accomplished was shot down within hours.

A very interesting biography I was thoroughly entertained and I learned a lot about Maria not only as a top ranking tennis player but as a person and the thing I left with was an appreciation for who she is more so than her accomplishments on the court. She comes across as a determined young woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Let’s face it, winning five grand slams doesn’t come easy. Well worth a read.
...more

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Sep 02, 2017 Dave Wheeler rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A great, honest and personal read. Unlike so many autobiographies I have read this felt personal as in it felt like it was Maria talking (or writing) just to me, a private conversion. This is written true to many of here early coaches who Maria described as no bullshiters to quote her, and she tells you it warts and all. Many will know a lot of Maria Sharapova's story as it has been lived out in the public eye but as you read this and I encourage you to and highly recommend you do, you will disc ...more

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Sep 07, 2017 Stephen rated it liked it

thanks to the publishers and netgalley for a free copy in return for an open and honest review.

Found this book very interesting especially from her ban from tennis and wanted to learn more about the background to her career and her growing up in russia and moving to the states to improve her tennis career at a young age, however felt the book in the middle late sections wasn't as good as the earlier sections but feel that this book would suit tennis fans. ...more

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Aug 12, 2017 Mahdi rated it it was amazing

Anyone who knows me knows that Maria is my favorite athlete of all time. Naturally, my review and rating for her memoir are going to be biased. I was so intrigued from the very first line of this book. I got to know my idol better; where she came from, how she got to where she is now, what she went through, all the ups and downs of her career. I could see how she inspired me before (even more with this book), and I came to understand why she is my favorite athlete; we are very much alike in our ...more

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Jan 23, 2018 Lucy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: five-star-books

It was the year 2006 and my dad was watching the US Open final. I had never held a racket in my life and I wasn't the kind of person who watches sports on tv, but for some reason that night I wanted to sit and join dad. He told me her favorite player was Justine Henin, who had won myriad tournaments and once more had made it to a grand slam final. Justine was playing against a tall, blonde russian dressed in a little black dress; it was Sharapova. At that time I had no idea who Maria was, and I It was the year 2006 and my dad was watching the US Open final. I had never held a racket in my life and I wasn't the kind of person who watches sports on tv, but for some reason that night I wanted to sit and join dad. He told me her favorite player was Justine Henin, who had won myriad tournaments and once more had made it to a grand slam final. Justine was playing against a tall, blonde russian dressed in a little black dress; it was Sharapova. At that time I had no idea who Maria was, and I had abdolutely no understanding of tennis, except from what my dad had explained while the match was happening. But there was something about Maria that captivated me. I loved the intensity with which she hit the ball, her game, her determination, how she was fighting the fight and her champion spirit.
That night Maria not only lifted the trophy and won that Grand Slam, but she also unknowingly started our journey together...
I love waking up early in the morning, or staying up really late to watch her play - I don't mind that the circuit is long and the time zones change. Sometimes I enjoy the game, some others I get angry and suffer while she struggles. I live her victories and her defeats as if they were my own. But above all that, I love that Maria is a champion and in this book she really shows that. Unstoppable is raw, honest and real. Maria tells us everything, she keeps nothing to herself: her childhood in Sochi, the immigration to America, the long and exhausting hours of training, how she missed her mom, how she got suspended, in short: the ups and downs, the good and also the bad.
What I liked the most is how she described her relationship with her family. I know Maria got were she is because she is driven and has determination, besides loving tennins very much, but her dad deserves a special mention. Yuri sacrificed everything, what he had and what he didn't for her daughter and I'm not sure if every parent would do that for their kid.
Maria is someone who inspires me because she is courageous, driven, strong and above all she is always trying to improve, win and outdo herself. Because I feel the tennis court is a metaphor for life, so even though I don't play tennis she can still inspire me and show me that if you work hard, if you fight for what you want and if you don't give up you can achieve your goals and dreams.

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Allá por el año 2006 mi papá miraba la final US Open. Jamás toque una raqueta en mi vida, tampoco miraba deportes por tv, pero esa noche quise mirar. A papá le gustaba como jugaba Justine Henin, que había ganado muchísimos torneos y una vez más había llegado a una final. Justine se enfrentaba a una rusa alta y rubia con un vestidito negro, era Sharapova. Yo no tenía ni la menor idea de quién era María, pero me encantó su juego, su determinación y su espíritu de campeona. María levantó la copa, ganó el Grand Slam y a partir de ese momento comencé nuestro viaje juntas.
Me encanta levantarme temprano a ver los partidos o quedarme despierta hasta tarde, porque el circuito es largo y los husos horarios cambian, aunque también sufro cuando pierde y cuando no hace las cosas bien. Vivir sus derrotas y triunfos como si fueran propios. Pero sobre todas las cosas me encanta que María es una campeona, y en este libro realmente lo demuestra. Es crudo, duro y real. No se calla nada, cuenta todo —desde su infancia en Sochi, la inmigración a los Estados Unidos, las largas horas de práctica cuando era chica, la suspensión del circuito — los altos y bajos, lo bueno y lo malo. Todo con honestidad y sin nada de filtro.
Lo que más destaco, además de su propia voluntad y amor por lo que hace es el gran sostén que tiene por parte de su familia, en especial Yuri. La verdad es que María tiene un papá que vale oro porque las cosas que hizo ese hombre para que su hija llegue donde tenía que estar son increíbles y no sé si todo el mundo se sacrificaría así.
De María siempre admire su coraje, la fuerza que tiene y sobre todo las ganas de ganar y de superarse a sí misma. Porque siento que la cancha es como una metáfora de la vida, entonces aunque yo no juegue tenis ella siempre me demuestra que si se lucha, las cosas se consiguen y que nunca hay que bajar los brazos.
María se merece todo lo que consiguió y mucho más, porque es una campeona, pero también una leona. ...more

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Sep 04, 2017 Andrew rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, memoir, auto-biographical, reviewed-2017

It is a while since I read a sports autobiography. From the start I liked this book.

It opens with a frank and controversial prologue. The book then moves on to chart the time before her birth in Belarus and her early years in Siberia, then Sochi. The account then moves on to her first experience of tennis in Sochi aged four or five.

I felt that the way this book is written very much echoes the cool, serious and driven image which I have of Maria Sharapova, having watched her play tennis for man ...more

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Oct 28, 2017 Dana rated it liked it

Easy, nice read. I’ve been a fan of her game for a long time so it was interesting looking at a little behind the scenes., especially her childhood. Recommended for fans of hers... she is a little cocky at points (but what elite athlete isn’t?)

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Sep 11, 2017 Gabriela rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, non-fiction

A well-written biography of Maria Sharapova, full of emotion and truth about her life and career evolution. I didn't know much about her, nor the particularities of tennis as a professional sport. She has honestly wrote down a detailed account of her most important challenges, matches, hopes and fears. I learned a lot about her style and determination to win it all, about this strong mentality of a champion. It's amazing how many hours and years it takes to become the dream.

Many thanks to Netga ...more

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Sep 27, 2017 Val Robson rated it it was ok

Shelves: netgalley

I was very interested in reading about Maria's Sharapova's background as I had no idea of it. She was almost born near to Chernobyl in the town of Gomel which is either 40 miles or 100 miles away according to whichever version in the book is factually correct...or not. Because of their concern about the effect that the Chernobyl fallout was having on their area her parents moved to Western Siberia just before Maria was born.

Her talent and grit for playing tennis was evident at a very early age w I was very interested in reading about Maria's Sharapova's background as I had no idea of it. She was almost born near to Chernobyl in the town of Gomel which is either 40 miles or 100 miles away according to whichever version in the book is factually correct...or not. Because of their concern about the effect that the Chernobyl fallout was having on their area her parents moved to Western Siberia just before Maria was born.

Her talent and grit for playing tennis was evident at a very early age when she was gifted a tennis racquet aged 4. Her parents made some huge sacrifices in their lives, including living apart for almost 3 years, in order to get Maria to the USA so she could get some better training and coaching. Reading about how that happened in reality was a little surreal and made me wonder if this was really the true story as parts sounded farfetched.

I would have liked this book a lot more but for her constant sniping about Serena Williams. I have no idea if Serena really did behave badly towards Maria or not but Maria Sharapova starting four consecutive sentences about Serena with ‘I think she hated me for ...’ says it all. She is assuming Serena hates hers with no real ground for doing so. I found most of her 104 mentions of Serena in the book in very poor taste and quite unnecessary. If you are having a petty squabble with someone, real or imagined, don’t involve others who don’t know either side.

I also found her constant refrain that is not out to make friends on the tennis tour as they are her opponents sad. She seems to believe that anyone who says they have friends is lying as really they all hate one another. If that is the case it’s curious that so many top tennis players spend so much time in each other’s company both during their main career and afterwards.

A book that started well but descended into pettiness and meaness towards others.

With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books (UK) for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Mar 28, 2020 Sreeraag Mohan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Well, there was your game, then there was your game. That’s what people don’t understand about tennis. You do not have to be the best player in the world to win. You only have to be better, on that day, than the person across from you. And that’s something you understood from the start.

In 2004, a 17-year old Russian girl created sporting history when she became one of the youngest women to win the Wimbledon. Earlier this year, when Sharapova announced her retirement from tennis, I went back onli ...more

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Sep 08, 2017 Reader rated it liked it · review of another edition

I've always been a tennis fan, and had always enjoyed watching Maria Sharapova play. When she was banned from the game for taking a banned substance I was shocked. So when I was given the chance to read her story I jumped at the chance,

This is a well written account of her life so far, it is at times very compelling and moving. Her move to the USA from Russia as a young child accompanied only by her father, and then not seeing her mother for some years cannot have been easy. But this is a girl w ...more

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Oct 26, 2017 Liz rated it liked it · review of another edition

This was an interesting read and while it is obviously her viewpoint on issues, I thought in general she was pretty frank. I have always enjoyed watching her play and a major reason is that though talented her biggest strengths are her mind and willpower and it is clear from the book that she takes pride in not giving up no matter what.

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Aug 13, 2020 David Bedolla G rated it it was amazing

One of my favorite books! Very entertaining and well written. Even if you are not a tennis fan you will have no trouble enjoying this story. It was very eye opening to get a glimpse of Maria’s thoughts and emotions on some of the matches that I watched live. Masha is a true champion; on and off the court. The details are full of vulnerabilty and without filters, like a diary. 100% Recommended.

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Nov 07, 2017 Neil rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley, biography

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

What an amazing read.
Showing the determination and grit required by all parents and children who want to be successful tennis players.

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Jan 28, 2019 Lynda Filler rated it it was amazing

When you write a memoir there’s nowhere to hide

This is a beautifully written memoir that deserves recognition for Maria’s passionate portrayal of her life and her challenges along the way. From the very first page I admit to tears flowing regularly, so much so that I slowed down my reading to treasure every single page. A life lived without passion is no life at all. I admire her emotional strength and thank a very close friend for insisting I read about Maria’s journey. A must read for its less ...more

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May 21, 2019 Jim Beatty rated it really liked it

Strategy for this opponent. Sure. Hit the ball until you win.

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Jun 28, 2018 SueKich rated it really liked it

Masha the smasher.

Maria (real name, Masha) Sharapova has written a highly readable account of her fairytale journey to the top of the women’s game. A short-lived position: as she says, once you have won a Grand Slam tournament, you have to win another to prove that the first one wasn’t a fluke.

As always with celebrity memoirs, the struggle to the top is more interesting to read about than the maintenance of success. Sharapova’s story is particularly fascinating: her parents lived a hundred mile ...more

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Nov 14, 2019 Sonali Dabade rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-reads

4.25 stars

Before I say anything else, let me get this out of the way: I’ve got a whole new level of admiration for Maria Sharapova now that I’ve read her autobiography!

I haven’t spoken about it on a public platform, but I have always felt and told the people around me that the way Maria Sharapova got banned was really unfair. The element she used – meldonium, I think it was – was banned on January 1, 2016 and a few weeks later, she was accused of using it to enhance her performance. It was compl 4.25 stars

Before I say anything else, let me get this out of the way: I’ve got a whole new level of admiration for Maria Sharapova now that I’ve read her autobiography!

I haven’t spoken about it on a public platform, but I have always felt and told the people around me that the way Maria Sharapova got banned was really unfair. The element she used – meldonium, I think it was – was banned on January 1, 2016 and a few weeks later, she was accused of using it to enhance her performance. It was completely legal until December 31st and then boom! Here’s an excerpt from Unstoppable: My Life So Far that shows how she felt about it:

"The ITF didn’t draw any attention to the fact that they were suddenly banning a supplement that was being legally used by millions of people. That was their mistake."

Which is true! The ITF’s decision to ban it because so many Eastern Europeans were using it and that it was “probably” enhancing their performance is a bullshit decision in the first place. Punishing someone for using a drug for years for health reasons and that you, as an organization banned pretty recently is such an a-hole move!

The worst part is that players like Roger Federer condemned Sharapova! Did they know the situation or did they not? Did they know it and still say it to be on the good side of the ITF? Or did they not know the circumstances? It seems like such a shitty thing to do, either way. And that’s a bummer because Federer is one of my favorite sportspeople of all time. :/

Maria Sharapova, or Masha, which is her real name, was born in Nyagan, Russia. At a small age, her father saw her potential and put his whole heart and energies into making sure that his daughter got the opportunities she needed to rise in the tennis world. And look at how that turned out! They made their way to Florida, USA, and it took a lot of practice and honing and struggle before she actually made it on the circuit.

The thing about Maria Sharapova is that she knows her strengths and she knows the limits she can stretch herself to. She is tough as hell and her reasoning behind so many of her actions make so much sense! For example, she says she doesn’t want to be friends with people she will play. And weird as that may seem, read it along while keeping competitive spirit in mind and it’s probably the sanest thing ever!

This book is straight from Sharapova’s heart – raw, honest, humorous, blunt, and unapologetic. It not only narrates what she did on court, but also tells us about what she felt as she did what she did and how her feelings affected her life. She talks to us about the role her father played in bringing her to where she is, her mother’s role in her education, her coaches, and a myriad other people who affected her like they did. You’ll find Serena Williams a lot in there because Sharapova thinks Serena is sort of her rival. The image she paints of her nemesis isn’t rosy at all. Yet, you tend to understand both perspectives and it’s one of the best parts of this book!

It’s difficult to talk about Sharapova without talking about the 2016 drug incident. And she has bared her heart and the pain that so many people caused her during that time. I sympathize with her and agree with her when she says that it was unfair to her, what the ITF did. I’ve felt like this for a while, and to read about her own thoughts and feelings about it? It just about broke my heart!

The happier part of this book is reading about Sharapova’s tenacity in her own words. Her most private feelings – journal entries that she’s included in here – and the way she worked hard to get where she is right now? It’s the most amazing revelation! And to read her thoughts as she fought her way through tennis strata to emerge like a breath of vibrant, hollering fresh air at Wimbledon 2004, was exactly inspiring and made me smile to no end!

If you’re looking for a sportsperson’s autobiography, then I’d like to recommend you this book. Sharapova’s story is inspiring to say the least, and there’s so much to be learned from it. I know that sometime in the future, I’m going to go back and read this one again! ...more

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About Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova

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Born in Nyagan, Russia, Maria Sharapova moved to the United States when she was six years old. At seventeen, Sharapova beat Serena Williams to win Wimbledon. She reached the number-one world ranking at eighteen, and has held that ranking a number of times since. To date, she has won five Grand Slams. She lives in Manhattan Beach, California.

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