Maria Sharapova: The Point

Maria Sharapova: The Point is an intimate and engaging documentary that dives deep into the life of renowned tennis player Maria Sharapova. Released in 2017, the film captures the true essence of Sharapova's life as a world-famous sportsperson going through a critical period of her career, laden with trials and tribulations, during her suspension from the sport she loves for a doping incident.

The documentary, directed by Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern Winters, and produced by Glenn Zipper, provides candid and detailed insight into Sharapova's life, her personality, her perception of the world, and her unyielding passion for tennis. Maria Sharapova steps away from the tennis court and invites viewers into her personal journey, allowing them to witness her as a determined woman and not just as an international tennis sensation.

Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, stands as an executive producer for this project. Being directly involved in the production process, she enables the documentary to maintain an authentic voice while discussing her professional life, her childhood in Russia, her ascend to stardom, and her struggles during the doping scandal – the latter marking a major setback in her career.

In this ESPN film, a vulnerable-yet-strong Sharapova is shown talking about life amidst a career-crushing 15-month ban following a positive test for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open. The ensuing turmoil threatened to overshadow her illustrious career and mar her reputation. The Point gives an inside account of her mental struggle during this period as well as her relentless effort to prepare for her return to the court.

All the way through its powerful narrative, Maria Sharapova: The Point sheds an appreciable amount of light on Sharapova’s resilience in the face of adversity. Despite the controversies, despite the fall from grace, Maria’s determination stirs emotions as one witnesses her tough training regimen, engaging in drills with her coach, and running uphill sprints to prepare for her comeback.

The filmmakers, Lax and Stern Winters, have brilliantly utilized Sharapova’s narration and integrated impactful reenactments to maintain the film’s rawness and sincerity. The documentary also features interviews of the people closest to Sharapova, including her coach Sven Groeneveld, to provide a more rounded perspective.

Away from the courts and training grounds, we get an intriguing glimpse of Sharapova’s life as an entrepreneur and businesswoman. Her active involvement in several ventures ranging from charity work to her premium candy business, Sugarpova, lends a fresh perspective highlighting her versatility beyond tennis.

Screened against the picturesque backdrop of California, where Sharapova has been living and training since her childhood, the film is visually appealing. The film’s effective cinematography encapsulates the breathtaking sights during Sharapova's beach workouts and offers an aesthetic appeal to balance the raw intensity of the story.

One pivotal element present throughout the film is Sharapova's exploration of her own legacy. She candidly discusses the realistically grim fears that her career could be remembered more for the doping ban than her Grand Slam victories, a thoughtful introspection that provides a deep human connection.

Maria Sharapova: The Point appeals to tennis aficionados and non-sports-oriented viewers alike due to its compelling human storytelling. It paints an inspiring picture of strength, hardships, relationships, career conflicts, and redemption. The 55-minute documentary stands as a manifestation of Sharapova’s unwavering determination and her journey back to the sport that defined her, offering viewers a unique understanding of the woman behind the tennis champion. It’s a gripping account of a sportsperson’s journey filled with persistence, determination, and resilience, driving home the point that everyone stumbles, but the true champions are those who rise after a fall.