Maria Sharapova Posed for These Stunning Bikini Photos the Same Year That She Won the US Open

Maria Sharapova was photographed by Walter Iooss Jr. in Turks and Caicos.Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Maria Sharapova was already in the midst of a very successful and memorable career when she took to the pages of the SI Swimsuit Issue in 2006. She had been playing on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour since 2001, and had already won her first major tournament, the 2004 Wimbledon Championship.

She was already accustomed to the big stage, so an SI Swimsuit set wasn’t a challenge for the Russia native. But, though she had already spent a significant amount of time in the limelight, she had never posed for a photo shoot quite like her experience with photographer Walter Iooss Jr. in Turks and Caicos.

It was, according to the pro athlete, “a very different experience,” but she “love[d] it” all the same. It wasn’t her first time working with Walter Iooss Jr., and she felt comfortable with the seasoned photographer.

Despite not normally posing for photos in swimwear, the now 36-year-old athlete didn’t appear daunted by the experience. She leaned into it with her typical hard-working spirit and good energy.

That same year, Sharapova took her second (of five) major championships on the WTA Tour, taking home the trophy at the US Open in New York. Her storied career would see three more Grand Slam titles before her retirement in 2020—all of which made for an impressive career.

But it all started back in the early 2000s, when she hit the beaches of Turks and Caicos for her SI Swimsuit debut. Here are a few of the powerful photos from the trip.

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!