Tennis icon Maria Sharapova has delighted fans with playful moments and serene scenes from her current trip to Japan. The former WTA World No. 1 took to her Instagram Stories over the weekend to offer a glimpse into her cultural adventures, culinary indulgences, and candid moments with fiancé Alexander Gilkes.
Among the standout moments Sharapova shared was a lighthearted interaction with a local taxi driver. In a short video clip posted on Apr. 21, she captured a heartwarming exchange where the driver used a speech-to-text translator on his phone to communicate with her about the places to visit nearby.
“I love the taxi drivers here,” she captioned her story.
Maria Sharapova Teases Fiancé Alexander Gilkes Over Early Morning Tokyo Market Trip
Sharapova, who turned 38 on April 19, has been exploring Japan alongside Gilkes and their toddler son, Theodore. Their getaway appears to be part birthday celebration, part family retreat, and entirely on brand for the jet-setting couple known for balancing elegance with humor. Whether it’s strolling through city streets or navigating early-morning market madness, the former tennis champ continues to show her fans a side of her life.
Later in her posts, she showcased a stylish brown jacket from Gabriela Hearst, a renowned fashion designer and a close friend, followed by mouthwatering visuals of a cozy meal that included pizza and smoked vegetables. Rounding out her updates were a series of clips and photos from a tranquil resort stay at Aman Kyoto.
Checkout the pictures here:
However, the trip hasn’t been all peaceful strolls and spa days. Just days before her heartfelt taxi moment, Sharapova hilariously recounted being dragged out of bed at 4 a.m. by Gilkes to witness the famed tuna auction at Toyosu Market in Tokyo. In a video posted to her Instagram Stories on April 20 — a day after her birthday — she deadpanned:
“Woke me up at 4am…to go to the fish market,” while showing Gilkes gleefully bouncing behind her on a sidewalk.
Another snap from the Toyosu fish market showed Gilkes snapping close-up photos of the massive tuna on auction while Sharapova stood by, less than enthused.
“How I feel about it,” she wrote in her caption, offering a cheeky contrast to her fiancé’s excitement.
A Look Into Maria Sharapova’s Life After Retirement From Tennis
Maria Sharapova officially retired from tennis on February 2020 after playing her last match at the Australian Open. She began dating British businessman Alexander Gilkes in 2018. They got engaged in December 2020, and welcomed their son, Theodore.
Since retiring, Sharapova has focused on her business ventures, including her candy brand Sugarpova, and has invested in several wellness and tech startups. She remains active in fashion, business, and tennis circles.