On April 19th, 2017, Serena Williams formally announced her pregnancy. On April 19th, 2022, Maria Sharapova announced HER pregnancy. Hilariously, April 19th is also Maria’s birthday. She turned 35 years old yesterday and I guess she had to acknowledge the same thing as her great “rival,” that April 19th is the perfect day to announce a pregnancy.

Maria Sharapova, who won all four tennis grand slam titles during her career, celebrated her 35th birthday on Tuesday but will remember the day for more than one reason after she announced she was expecting her first child with fiancée Alexander Gilkes.

The former tennis star posted a picture on Instagram showing off her small bump while posing at the beach. “Precious beginnings,” she wrote in the picture caption. “Eating birthday cake for two has always been my specialty.”

Sharapova, who retired from the sport just over two years ago, announced her engagement to British businessman Gilkes in December 2020. The pair have been in a relationship since 2018 and Gilkes would often be seen in Sharapova’s playing box towards the end of her career.

[From CNN]

I totally forgot that Maria and Alexander Gilkes were already engaged. He’s British and very aristocratic. He’s in the same social circle as Prince William and the Norfolk Turnip Toffs, you know. I believe Maria and Alexander split their time between the US and England. I wonder if she wants to raise the baby in the US or what. Anyway, congrats to Sharapova, I guess.

(Also, coincidences upon coincidences, Serena was 35 when she announced her pregnancy and gave birth.)

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Instagram.

BEVERLY HILLS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – FEBRUARY 09: Maria Sharapova and Alexander Gilkes arrive at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 9, 2020 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency),Image: 563496251, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon.red – London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Xavier Collin / Image Press Agency / Avalon

Maria Sharapova attends the Fashion Awards 2021 red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, United Kingdom.,Image: 645549452, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Olivier Huitel / Avalon

Maria Sharapova attends the Fashion Awards 2021 red carpet at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, United Kingdom.,Image: 645549462, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Olivier Huitel / Avalon