Latest news with #AlexanderGilkes
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Maria Sharapova 'puts LA mansion with bowling alley and stunning views on the market for £18.5MILLION!' As ex-tennis star and British fiance Alexander Gilkes 'set sights on European return'
Former tennis star Maria Sharapova has reportedly put her extravagant Los Angeles mansion up for sale for a whopping £18.5million. The five-time Grand Slam winner is ready to move out of the luxury home - which boasts an indoor bowling alley and gorgeous sea views - after 13 years, a report has claimed. Sharapova is engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes, 46, and the couple are understood to be keen on moving to Europe, the Sun has claimed. According to the Wall Street Journal, the minimalist Japanese-inspired home - fit with exposed concrete walls and a large pool - is up for sale for £18.5m. The 38-year-old showed off her extraordinary home in an interview with Architectural Digest in 2019 and hailed the 'indoor-outdoor' feel she was able to achieve in its design. On her striking pool, placed right outside the dining area, she said: 'Usually you have a pool and then a lawn and then a home. But I wanted the pool really close to the home. 'I didn't want that space between, I wanted to see the water from kitchen so getting it a close as possible to the home was a challenge but we managed it.' Elsewhere, Sharapova's pad includes a second-floor balcony which provides stunning views across Los Angeles, with Catalina Island visible in the distance. The former Wimbledon champion rocketed to fame when she beat top seed and defending champion Williams 21 years ago to win her first Grand Slam at just 17. During her storied time on court, Sharapova become the first Russian player to complete the career Grand Slam after wins in Melbourne, New York, Paris and London and the third-youngest woman to triumph at Wimbledon. But her career was marred by a 2016 failed drugs test, which saw Sharapova suspended for two years after she was found to have ingested meldonium, a substance which had been banned at the start of that year, ahead of the Australian Open. Her suspension was later reduced to 15 months after she was found to have taken the drug as per her doctor's advice, and Sharapova returned to competition in April 2017, and won the Tianjin Open seven months later. After struggling with chronic shoulder issues for a number of years, Sharapova announced her retirement in 2020, sharing an emotional goodbye message with her followers that spoke to her deep connection to the game. Maria and Alexander first started dating in 2018 just two years after Alexander - who has deep royal ties - ended his seven year marriage to Meghan Markle's best friend Misha Nonoo. The former tennis star is engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes (right) and the pair have one child together The British businessman proposed to the five-time Grand Slam tennis champion in December 2020. He presented her with a dazzling £300,000 diamond engagement ring. The couple welcomed their first child in 2022.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Maria Sharapova puts custom-designed mansion up for sale for £18.5m with stunning sea views and BOWLING ALLEY on offer
MARIA SHARAPOVA has put her custom mansion up for sale for £18.5MILLION. The retired tennis star bought the five-bed property 13 years ago for £3m. 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 But according to The Wall Street Journal, Sharapova has put the mansion up for sale at the starting price of £18.5m ($25m). Sharapova is engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes and the couple are looking to leave Los Angeles. Reportedly, they want to move to Europe. They would be leaving behind their stunning home which boasts of sea views and an inside BOWLING ALLEY. It also has an outdoor pool that is connected to the house and complements the patio area. Her bowling alley - complete with two lanes - sits next to her downstairs kitchen. Sharapova even designed the property with a focus on togetherness. Giant doors from her open-plan kitchen slide across to join up with the Japanese-style pool and barbecue area. There are huge daybeds on the grass area, which is purposely placed on the other side of the crystal-clear pool. A balcony on the second floor provides panoramic views across Los Angeles with Catalina Island seen in the distance. Kate Middleton hands over Wimbledon trophy to Jannik Sinner after Italian triumphs in tennis final Once the sun has set, Sharapova heads pool-side with a spacious sitting area on her patio which is heated by a giant fireplace. The Russian called time on her career at the age of 32 in 2020 after winning five Grand Slams. Sharapova retired a shadow of the player she was since returned from her drugs ban for meldonium in April 2017. The doping suspension understandably damaged her reputation and brand, and she dropped to 373rd in the world. 9 9
