Watch Maria Sharapova: The Point

Maria Sharapova: The Point is a 2017 documentary film that tells the story of the Russian tennis superstar Maria Sharapova. The movie chronicles Sharapova's career from her early days in Russia to her rise to fame in the United States and her eventual fall from grace due to her suspension for doping. The film is directed by Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern Winters and features extensive interviews with Sharapova as well as her family, friends, coaches, and opponents. The film also includes never-before-seen footage from Sharapova's personal video archive and from her matches around the world.

The movie begins with Sharapova's childhood in Nyagan, a small town in Siberia. Sharapova's father Yuri, who was once a professional soccer player, recognized her talent for tennis at a young age and began coaching her. When Sharapova was seven years old, Yuri moved the family to Florida to give her better training opportunities.

The film then follows Sharapova's rise through the ranks of junior tennis and her breakthrough at Wimbledon in 2004, when she defeated Serena Williams to become the youngest player to win the tournament in over a century. The film shows how Sharapova's success on the court led to a string of endorsement deals and made her one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world.

Interspersed with footage of Sharapova's matches and interviews with her coaches and opponents, the film delves into the mental and physical challenges of being a professional tennis player. Sharapova opens up about her struggles with injuries and her intense focus on training and preparation.

As the film progresses, it also tackles the doping scandal that led to Sharapova's suspension from tennis in 2016. Sharapova reveals how she failed a drug test at the Australian Open and the aftermath of the suspension, including her public apology and her struggle to regain her place in the tennis world.

Despite facing criticism and scrutiny from fans and the media, Sharapova remains resolute, and the film shows her determination to return to the court and reclaim her place among the elite players in the sport.

Overall, Maria Sharapova: The Point is an engaging and inspiring look at the life and career of one of the most successful tennis players of all time. The film offers a behind-the-scenes view of the highs and lows of professional tennis, and Sharapova's own journey serves as a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance.