Maria Sharapova can do a great many things with her time off. Vacation and passing every iteration of Zelda video games doesn’t seem to be the top of the list. Instead, Sharapova is enrolling at Harvard Business School, because there is no rest for the weary or the newly banned.
The news that one of tennis’ most beloved figures would switch gears during her forced sabbatical came in the same way that most news does these days: social media.
The 29-year old snapped off this whimsical photo and posted it to Twitter, proving that everything is just fine in her world and about to get a bit better.
She is going to Harvard Business School.
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Not sure how this happened but Hey Harvard! Can't wait to start the program! pic.twitter.com/EOoKYhaQli
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) June 25, 2016
Sadly, there isn’t much in the way of solid details as to exactly what Sharapova will study during her tenure at the prestigious school.
The Associated Press is kind enough to report the tennis star isn’t matriculating for a terribly long stay, simply enrolling in a two-week course that mandates two classes on campus. Aside from that, Sharapova’s camp wasn’t exactly generous with details.
Any tutelage from a top school is useful, but Sharapova has proved to have a fine acumen for business, topping the list of highest-paid female athletes for 11 years prior to 2016, according to Forbes’ Kurt Badenhausen.
Sharapova is worth $21.9 million annually thanks to winnings as well as partnerships with the likes of Avon, Head, Evian and Tag Heuer.
The latter, however, ceased contract negotiations with camp Sharapova in the wake of a doping scandal that has seen the athlete ousted from the sport she once led as the world’s No. 1. Nike and Porsche also severed ties.
For the uninitiated, Sharapova was suspended for two years for the use of meldonium, a substance that was recently added to the banned substance list.
Sharapova, asserting that she did not know the drug was recently banned, has appealed her suspension and hopes to have closure before the Summer Olympics, via ESPN.
A lost appeal could have serious ramifications – some speculate in the realm of $50 million in lost revenue.
In the interim, Sharapova will make use of her extra time by honing her business skills, which may turn out to be a lucrative thing.
Forbes previously noted that Sharapova turned a $500,000 investment in Sugarpova into millions.
While many students are heading for the couch this summer Sharapova will leave the training ground for the classroom, illustrating what athletes do when they get some time off: They get to work.
