Maria Sharapova Takes Step To Combat Male Dominance In Sports

Former tennis star Maria Sharapova is ready to take on a new challenge.

Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion and International Tennis Hall of Famer, announced this week that she's launching her own podcast with Vox Media. Her show, "Pretty Tough," will focus on female ambition in a male dominated industry.

According to the Wall Street Journal, her podcast was shopped to multiple partners. Sharapova chose Vox Media becayse she'll retain creative control over this project.

"Introducing Pretty Tough, my new show about the pursuit of excellence without apology," Sharapova wrote on Instagram. "It challenges how we discuss female ambition and explores the multitudes that make us. Here's a little sneak peak into what's to come. Episode 1 releases on April 22. You can subscribe wherever you get your podcasts."

The WTA is taking over the podcasting world.

Serena and Venus Williams launched their own podcast, "Stockton Street," back in September.

"As close as we are, we had to keep so many things distant because of our jobs," Serena told The Hollywood Reporter. "As much as she's my sister, she's also my opponent, and you can't be as open as you want to be. So this a real opportunity to do something that we've been trying to do, and also just a discovery thing as well."

There's also the "Player's Box" podcast, which is hosted by a few current stars in Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula.

Time will tell if Sharapova's "Pretty Tough" podcast can make a dent in the industry.

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 6:55 AM.