Like many sports celebrities who have been in the public eye since they were children, it’s easy to forget just how young Maria Sharapova really is. Now 34, the statuesque player first attained the World No. 1 ranking in women’s tennis at the age of 18. She is one of only 10 athletes in the history of the women’s tennis to achieve a career Grand Slam, winning all four majors. Off the court, Sharapova has flexed her business muscles through a broad array of endorsements and sponsorships, the creation of her signature apparel line for Nike, the launch of Sugarpova, her premium candy–and–chocolate company, and other partnerships including SuperGoop!. Currently, she is developing sports and training venues keyed to principles of holistic health and wellness.
From what I’ve seen and read over the years, Maria’s work ethic–both on and off the court–is off the chain. She’s competitive as hell, and in the best possible way, so it’s no surprise that she was involved in every aspect of designing, building and decorating her gorgeous LA home.
According to Architectural Digest, those who worked with Maria agreed that the tennis star maintained a resolute vision of how she wanted it to feel and function from the earliest phases of the project. She was also one of the most intellectually curious and committed clients they’ve ever encountered, with her style and spirit—as a supremely confident athlete, aesthete, and businesswoman—animating every inch of the property. In short, Maria Sharapova is a boss.
I was obsessed with the process of making this home. I’d jump off a plane from a tournament and go straight to the work site or to the architect’s office or to a kitchen manufacturer. This was my project, and I wasn’t going to delegate any part of it.
The three-story house is located on a sloping site with expansive ocean views from Palos Verdes to Malibu, with Catalina Island hovering in the distance—a dazzling panorama that unfolds with particular drama from Sharapova’s sun-kissed bedroom and bath. A luminous double-height entry gallery, defined by walls of sleek, panel-formed concrete and punctuated with a stair and bridge, opens out to an expansive pool and alfresco entertaining area. The central volume is flanked by two wings—one for the open living/dining/kitchen sweep on the ground floor and the master suite above, and the other allocated to guest quarters, with bedrooms on the lower level and a well-appointed suite on the upper. There’s also a kick-back basement lounge with a bowling alley.
I was inspired by Japanese architecture and minimalist aesthetics. I didn’t grow up with lots of stuff around. For me, uncluttered means healthy. If you don’t use something, you don’t need it.
For all its simplistic beauty, however, the home has no shortage of warmth, soul, and Zen. Architectural details of bleached oak, cedar, and silver travertine provide a natural counterpoint to the wide expanses of concrete and glass. A sculptural wood screen throws an organic curve into the largely linear composition, allowing plenty of sunlight while providing privacy from the street. Even the positioning of the pool is calculated as a whimsical surprise. When the sliding doors of the living/dining area are open, you can literally turn around from the dining table or sofa and hop right into the water.
I’ve traveled all over the world and enjoyed lots of incredible spaces. But my home is my absolute favorite. I think that’s the way it should be.
We couldn’t agree more, Maria! It is a beautiful home, fit for a retired champion. #badasshomegoals
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