The fascination with Sharapova’s money has always been curious because so much of it is a simple reflection of a society that values and promotes a certain look
The first time Maria Sharapova arrived at the top level of professional tennis she was introduced to the world as a “babe”. Sharapova had been drawn to face Ashley Harkleroad, another blonde youngster thrust into the spotlight on the perceived strength of her looks, in the first round of Wimbledon in 2003. The tabloids exploded.
Sharapova was only 16 years old but the match was dubbed “the battle of the babes” and she later sat through a cringe-inducing press conference as journalists leered at a child and then put their leering thoughts to her. “How are you going to fill the [Anna] Kournikova role?” asked one reporter. “What’s the biggest difficulty with certain looks and a certain ability to keep concentrated on the sport?”
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