TENNIS superstar Maria Sharapova has announced she is expecting her first child with fiance Alexander Gilkes.
The retired former champion shared the good news on her 35th birthday in a social media post to her 4.2million followers.
Along with a photo of her cradling her baby bump on the beach, she wrote: “Precious beginnings!!! Eating birthday cake for two has always been my specialty.”
Sharapova and Gilkes, 42, started dating back in 2018.
The British businessman then popped the question to the five-time Grand Slam winner in December 2020.
And he sealed the deal by placing a £300,000 diamond engagement ring on her finger.
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When announcing their engagement, Sharapova wrote: “I said yes from the first day we met.
“This was our little secret, wasn't it @gilkesa.
Gilkes, who has yet to post on his Instagram page regarding the baby news, thanked Sharapova for “making me a very very happy boy and saying yes” to his marriage proposal after she told the world.
He also added: “I look forward to a lifetime of loving you, and learning from you @mariasharapova.”
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Discussing the engagement to MSN.com last year, the beautiful Sharapova claimed that the pair had still not set a date to tie the knot due to the coronavirus pandemic.
She said: “We actually haven't discussed it yet because we want our friends and family to be comfortable in an environment and not feel like they have to attend something.”
The Russian announced her retirement from tennis back in February 2020.
Sharapova said: “How do you leave behind the only life you've ever known?
“How do you walk away from the courts you've trained on since you were a little girl, the game that you love – one which brought you untold tears and unspeakable joys – a sport where you found a family, along with fans who rallied behind you for more than 28 years?
“I'm new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis – I'm saying goodbye.”
Sharapova became world No.1 in August 2005 while aged just 18 and held that position four more times in her career.
She won five major titles — two at the French Open and one each at the Australian and US Open plus Wimbledon – and won 36 titles in total.
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