Maria Sharapova is entering the podcasting space with a new show titled Pretty Tough, produced in collaboration with Vox Media, expanding the growing trend of tennis stars building media platforms beyond the court.
The podcast, set to debut on April 22, will focus on ambition, excellence and the personal stories of high-achieving women across different industries. Sharapova has described the project as an exploration of “what it means to pursue greatness without compromise.”
Guests confirmed for the first season include actress Zoe Saldana, Jeanie Buss of the Los Angeles Lakers, and comedian Chelsea Handler.
Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, joins a growing wave of tennis figures building direct-to-audience media platforms. Former players such as Serena Williams and Venus Williams have launched their own podcast projects, while others like Andy Roddick and active players such as Aryna Sabalenka have expanded into digital content and social media storytelling.
The broader trend highlights how tennis personalities are increasingly bypassing traditional media, using podcasts, YouTube and social platforms to build closer, more personal relationships with global fanbases.