Sharapova was 9 when she moved from Russia to Florida with her father, Yuri, to train at the famed Nick Bollettieri tennis academy. Three years earlier, when she was 6, Sharapova was spotted at a Moscow exhibition by Martina Navratilova, who told her father that America was the best place to cultivate the young player's talent.
It meant a two-year separation from her mother, Yelena, who stayed in Russia because of financial reasons and the wait to obtain a visa.
Asked Friday how she navigated the world of professional tennis as a young player, Sharapova credited her parents.
''You know, my father paved this career for me, that I just keep following,'' she said. ''He just really opened the door to my dream. I'm just kind of living it.''
''My mother opened up the world to me culturally, educationally. So I got very different things from both of them,'' Sharapova said.
When she was younger, Sharapova never would have imagined she would still be playing tennis now. But age and experience - and the injuries that have derailed her career at times - have made her realize what she appreciates.
''I really love what I do. Although I'd love to sit on the beach and read a book and drink margaritas, after a few days I get bored,'' Sharapova said. ''At 28 years old, I'm healthy and look forward to playing for many years.''