Tennis star Maria Sharapova announces birth of her first child with fiancé Alexander Gilkes

New Delhi: Tennis player Maria Sharapova announced the birth of her son Theodore on July 15. He is the first child of the 5 times Grand Slam winner and British businessman Alexander Gilkes.

The Russian tennis player shared a post on Instagram to make the announcement. In the picture, Sharapova and Gilkes can be seen holding Theodore. Maria gave birth to her son on July 1 as she wrote his birthdate in Roman numerals in the caption. She also referred to Theodore as the most beautiful, challenging, and rewarding gift. She wrote, “Theodore VII•I•MMXXII The most beautiful, challenging, and rewarding gift our little family could ask for.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova)

The couple announced their engagement in December 2020 and it was on 20 April 2022 when Sharapova took on Instagram to announce her pregnancy. She shared a picture of herself flaunting her baby bump on a beach. She captioned the pictures, “Precious beginnings!!! ??? Eating birthday cake for two has always been my specialty.”

 

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A post shared by Maria Sharapova (@mariasharapova)

Fans of the former world number one are congratulating the couple on Twitter.

OMG SHAKING I can’t write anything ?
I’m crying I LOVE YOU MAMA ❤️ so happy for you @MariaSharapova pic.twitter.com/kEbIAOqwDv

— Sharapova Family (@tennisispain) July 15, 2022

Congratulations to tennis legend Maria Sharapova and her fiancé Alexander Gilkes for giving birth to their first child, Theodore! pic.twitter.com/cJHyXi3Wom

— Relevant | Tennis Stats & Info (@RelevantTennis) July 15, 2022

One of Maria Sharapova’s fan page predicted Theodore to win the title at Wimbledon 2042,

20 years old Theodore, Maria Sharapova’s son first time Grand Slam Champion

Wimbledon 2042

— Sharapova Family (@tennisispain) July 15, 2022

A fan who had a crush on the Tennis star says he is heartbroken after the news.

Maria Sharapova was my childhood crush, since way back in 2004 when she broke into Wimbledon as a 16- year old. Today, she announced a baby with her partner.
The inner child inside me just died, heartbroken.

— Ankit Mahanta (@ankitmahanta007) July 15, 2022

Maria Sharapova is among only 10 women to complete the career Grand Slam by capturing all four major singles crowns at least once. It was in 2004 when Sharapova won her first major title at Wimbledon at age 17. It was followed by capturing the 2006 US Open, 2008 Australian Open and the 2012 and 2014 French Open crowns. Her achievements also include winning a silver at the 2012 London Olympics.