For all you Maria Sharapova fans, we have some news for you that could well break some of your hearts. Well, she ain’t returning to the tennis courts, for the retired professional tennis player is now officially engaged. Yes, Maria Sharapova and Alexander Gilkes, a British businessman, are now engaged. 

As per the Instagram post of the former World No 1 tennis player, she confirms the engagement rumours by saying that she said YES since the day they both met. 

Apparently, Gilkes is a friend of both Prince William and Prince Harry. And he, also, took to his page to thank her for making him a happy boy. Further, he added, that he was looking forward to a lifetime of loving her as well as learning from her.

Plus, the duo shared black and white photos, where they both seem to be celebrating their love for each other. 

The couple first confirmed that they were in a relationship in October 2018. 

However, before Gilkes and Sharapova started dating, she was said to be dating Grigor Dimitrov, a tennis icon. More so, rumor mills were abuzz of the five-time grand slam champ dating Adam Levine, the lead singer of the pop-based rock band Maroon 5. Also, during the year 2011, she was engaged to Sasha Vujacic; he is a Slovenian basketball player as well as the Los Angeles Lakers guard.

Now, Sharapova had her share of struggles during her career as a tennis icon too. She was battling injuries and was in poor form after resuming the sport post a 15-month drug ban. Additionally, she tested positive for heart drug meldonium during the 2016 Australian Open. Then, finally, she retired from tennis during February 2020.

Gilkes has founded the online auction platform Paddle 8 and is based in the US, like Sharapova. Also, in the past, Gilkes has been married to Misha Nonoo, who is an American-British fashion designer. Both Gilkes and Nonoo got married in the year 2012, and then, separated during the year 2016.

Anyways, here’s wishing the newly-engaged couple a lifetime of happiness and marital bliss!