Sharapova gives, gains inspiration at women's conference

Before the first major of the year on the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association tour, Maria Sharapova and other athletes took part in an event aimed at delivering a positive message to women everywhere.

At the ANA Inspiring Women in Sports Conference, Sharapova was joined by Olympic gymnast Aly Reisman and Billie Jean King, among other notables.

The conference, according to ANA, “is a platform that empowers these athletes to address issues surrounding women in sports and to share their incredibly inspiring stories with the world.”

Sharapova, who is slated to return to the WTA Tour in a few weeks after serving a 15-month ban, was to address the attendees on her various business interests, equal pay for women athletes and her own personal challenges.

In an interview at the conference, Sharapova said her time away from the tour has allowed her to closely see the impact she’s had on her supporters.

“I’ve felt and I’ve seen the appreciation that I’ve received from so many people around the world,” she said. “That has been incredible.”

She also noted how much it meant to her to get to interact with the other panelists at the conference.

“Personally, it’s so inspiring to be around other athletes,” Sharapova said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for their life, their lifestyle, their sacrifices. There’s just this understanding of what we go through, even in different sports.

“I don’t know how to do a back flip. I don’t know anything about a balance beam. But to just have a conversation with Aly and still feel like we’re so connected in so many ways, even though what we do is completely different,” Sharapova added. “And that’s inspiring because the work that you put in ultimately gets you the reward, and as an athlete that’s the core message.”

Sharapova will play her first post-ban match in Stuttgart on April 26.