Former Russian number 1 tennis player Maria Sharapova actually took time away from her busy training schedule this summer to enjoy a much-needed vacation with her family. Sharapova, 36, shared some behind-the-scenes glimpses of her trip to Greece, including a snap of herself floating in beautiful clear waters in a yellow one-piece swimsuit. “A holiday during the summer?? Still feels new to me 😅,” she captioned the post. “Heaven,” commented pal Jessica Alba. How does Sharapova do it? Here are 5 ways the tennis champion remains a force to be reckoned with.
1. Six Hours of Training a Day
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Sharapova’s typical workout consists of stretching, jogging on the beach, two hours of tennis practice, Pilates core exercises, and indoor/outdoor interval bike sessions. "I train five or six times a week for six hours a day with my trainer, Yutaka Nakamura, or one of my coaches,” she says. “Playing professional tennis requires major dedication. If you take more than three days off, you can start to lose lean muscle. The athlete winds down with “Weekly sports massages and baths, both ice and hot, help relieve my tired muscles. I add Epsom salts and lavender essential oil."
2. Healthy Breakfast
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Sharapova never skips breakfast on training days. “When I’m training, the most important ‘on switch’ is a healthy breakfast,” she says. “I make a green smoothie with romaine lettuce, avocado, spinach, mint, and fresh-squeezed lemon juice. I also buy chestnut bread from the local farmers market and eat it with blanched almond butter. Candy [is my vice], no question about it. I’ve had a sweet tooth for as long as I can remember, and it’s the reason I decided to start my own candy company, Sugarpova, seven years ago.”
3. Carbs and Protein
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Like many athletes, Sharapova swears by good carbs for energy. “Carbs are important for my sport, but it’s about finding the right balance between them and protein,” she says. “In the morning, I have fruit, then rye toast with goat cheese and a piece of ham. When I’m playing tournaments, I try to minimize things that can create inflammation, like lactose, and goat cheese is easier for me to process than butter. For lunch, it’s a protein like chicken and then soup, because I’m Russian and we love soups. For dinner, I’ll have fish, like salmon or sea bass, and rice or potatoes.”
4. Journaling and Me-Time
Sharapova makes time for herself to drink coffee and journal before her family are up. “There’s something very strong about thinking of something and making it official on a piece of paper,” she says. “I’ve always believed in the power of that… Be kind to yourself. Knowing that you’re taking care of someone else, I think you always do a better job when you are taken care of. The more you feel rejuvenated and replenished and your body and mind are in the right place, the more that projects onto the people around you.”
5. No Makeup
Sharapova’s glowing looks on the court are all natural. "I wear zero makeup on the court,” she says. “I can't risk it running into my eyes. I tie a ponytail, pin the flyaways, and use L'Oréal Elnett hair spray. If I have time, I get a neutral manicure. When I'm not playing tennis, I like a fresh-faced glow. At night I'll wear a fun pink lip, Avon brow pencil, and Kanebo's Sensai concealer and mascara. I wash my hair daily, since I'm training and sweating."
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