I would not be surprised if Maria Sharapova retires in 2019 – Chris Evert

A few weeks ago during a post-match press conference at the Shenzhen Open, had said that she is not thinking about the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 yet as she wants to take one step at time. However, the 18-time Major winner believes that the Russian may not compete in them.

During the Australian Open first round match between Sharapova and Harriet Dart, on ESPN Evert said: I would not be surprised if Maria retires this year. Speaking to ESPN, Sharapova denied it could happen.

I will know when its time. I think I have a few years left, she assured. Sharapova also commented on how difficult getting equality in tennis has been: I think they have been really tough, especially when it came to equality, as a general point.

But from an effort point of view and what, you know, hes able to do for the sport and for British tennis in a sense is iconic. On Andy Murrays retirement, the Russian concluded: Its always striking when you hear a player thats the top of his career and obviously has impacted the sport in so many ways, when you say youre going to finish, its just, like, youre cutting something, youre letting go, cutting ties with something thats been a part of your life for a very long time.

From that perspective, I dont know, I just have a very different opinion about I know that this is a huge part of our life and we start in it and continue with it and we want to do it as much as we can, and maybe the mens side a little bit longer than the womens side.

But at one point, life goes on and theres a lot of things to look forward to. You have family, children, other business ventures. To me, that doesnt make me sad; that makes me excited. ALSO READ: Djokovic would beat Roger Federer in Australian Open final – Evert