Maria Sharapova, the tennis legend known for her fierce on-court persona and five Grand Slam titles, has seamlessly transitioned into her post-athletic life, sharing glimpses of motherhood, family, and life beyond the tennis courts. Recently, the former world No. 1 shared a heartwarming—and humorous—moment with her social media followers, showing her adorable son Theodore savouring a croissant. But while the toddler’s sweet moment of enjoying a pastry melted hearts, it was Sharapova’s fiancé, British businessman Alexander Gilkes, whose playful antics at the playground caused the internet to crack up.
In a rare and candid series of posts, Sharapova gave her followers a sneak peek into a light-hearted family outing that quickly became viral, as her partner’s amusing mishap at a children’s playground showed a new side of the power couple that fans don’t often get to see.
The Adorable Theodore Takes Centre Stage
Maria Sharapova, 36, has always been private about her personal life, carefully managing the delicate balance between her global fame and keeping her family out of the public spotlight. However, since the birth of her son Theodore in July 2022, she has occasionally shared glimpses of motherhood, offering fans a peek into her softer, more maternal side.
This time, Sharapova posted a delightful photo of Theodore sitting in his stroller, engrossed in the simple but universal joy of devouring a buttery croissant. The image immediately struck a chord with her millions of followers, showcasing the kind of idyllic moment many parents can relate to—where a pastry becomes a source of pure joy for a toddler.
Dressed in an adorable, casual outfit, Theodore’s innocent expression and his concentration on the croissant quickly became a talking point among Sharapova’s fanbase. In the picture, the toddler’s tiny hands are wrapped around the pastry, as if the world outside doesn’t exist, his curly hair peeking out under a small hat. Fans were quick to gush over the image, with comments flooding Sharapova’s post praising how “cute” and “adorable” little Theodore looked, with many noting how quickly he’s growing up.
For Sharapova, sharing these moments highlights a softer side of the once-intimidating tennis champion. As a fierce competitor, Sharapova built a reputation for her laser-focused determination and ice-cool composure on the court. Off the court, however, Sharapova has embraced motherhood with grace and warmth, and moments like these show her deeply personal joys as a mother, far removed from the intensity of professional sports.
Alexander Gilkes Steals the Show with a Playground Goof-Up
While the image of Theodore munching on a croissant charmed followers, it was a subsequent video that truly stole the spotlight—and for all the hilarious reasons. In the video, Alexander Gilkes, Sharapova’s fiancé and a well-known British entrepreneur and co-founder of Paddle8, can be seen trying to navigate his way around a playground intended for children. What starts as an innocent and playful moment quickly turns into comedy gold as Gilkes, known for his sharp, business-savvy demeanour, struggles with something as simple as climbing a child-sized jungle gym.
The footage, captured by a laughing Sharapova, shows Gilkes attempting to keep up with Theodore’s energy on the playground. However, his attempts to squeeze through the equipment designed for toddlers resulted in an awkward—and hilarious—situation. As he clumsily tried to navigate a rope bridge, he lost his footing, flailing in a desperate but futile attempt to stay balanced, before eventually landing in a soft patch of sand. Sharapova’s laughter can be heard in the background, and even Gilkes couldn’t help but chuckle at his mishap.
The video instantly resonated with Sharapova’s followers, many of whom commented that seeing Gilkes’ less-than-graceful playground acrobatics made them love the couple even more. Fans enjoyed the contrast between Gilkes’ typically polished public image—he’s often seen in tailored suits, representing his art auction house at high-profile events—and this raw, unfiltered moment of parental chaos.
“At least he tried!” one follower commented, while another joked, “I guess the jungle gym was built for smaller humans, not CEOs.” Others praised the couple’s ability to laugh at themselves and enjoy these simple family moments, calling it “refreshing” to see a celebrity couple being so “real.”
A Peek Into Sharapova and Gilkes’ Private Lives
For many, these moments shared by Sharapova are a welcome glimpse into the everyday life of a celebrity power couple who, despite their fame and success, clearly enjoy the normality of parenthood. Sharapova and Gilkes, who got engaged in December 2020, have been fairly private about their relationship, but they occasionally treat fans to snippets of their personal lives. This recent video of their playful time at the park was no exception.
While Sharapova and Gilkes may live a life filled with luxury and international travel, the couple has consistently shown they’re not afraid to roll up their sleeves and engage in the simple, relatable aspects of parenthood. Whether it’s Theodore’s first croissant or Gilkes’ playground mishap, these moments of authenticity shine a light on their grounded approach to raising a family.
It’s not lost on fans that Sharapova, who retired from tennis in 2020, has managed to stay relevant and beloved by her followers, not through sensationalism or controversies, but through showcasing a side of her that’s authentic, warm, and relatable. Despite being one of the most successful and recognised athletes in the world, Sharapova has proven time and again that she is just like any other parent, laughing at the chaos and enjoying the simple pleasures with her son and fiancé.
The Power Couple Balancing Fame, Family, and Career
While Sharapova is enjoying her new chapter as a mother and retired athlete, Gilkes remains a high-profile figure in the business world. The British entrepreneur, known for his art world connections and influential business ventures, continues to be a fixture at elite events. Despite his busy schedule, it’s clear that Gilkes makes time for family, and the playground video is proof that he doesn’t take himself too seriously—even if his playground skills might need some refining.
Together, Sharapova and Gilkes embody the modern-day power couple. She is a world-renowned athlete who has built a successful business empire with ventures like her candy company “Sugarpova,” and he is an accomplished businessman with a penchant for the arts and philanthropy. Their union represents a blend of different worlds—sports, business, and culture—and their public interactions show a playful, loving dynamic that many fans admire.
The Sharapova-Gilkes Family Dynamic: Fun, Love, and Laughter
As Theodore continues to grow, it’s evident that Sharapova and Gilkes are embracing every moment of parenthood with a sense of humour and joy. In a world where many celebrity couples are scrutinised for every move, Sharapova and Gilkes have managed to keep things light, fun, and relatable, much to the delight of their followers.
Their recent park adventure, punctuated by Theodore’s love for croissants and Gilkes’ playground blunder, serves as a reminder that, at the end of the day, even celebrities are just regular parents doing their best to navigate the ups and downs of family life. Whether it’s chasing after a toddler or sharing a laugh over an unexpected fall, the Sharapova-Gilkes household seems to be full of love, humour, and a healthy dose of humility.
A Family That Laughs Together, Stays Together
Maria Sharapova’s recent social media posts offered a charming, light-hearted look into her family’s day-to-day life, and fans couldn’t get enough of it. While Theodore’s croissant moment won hearts, it was Alexander Gilkes’ playground goof-up that had everyone laughing and talking. As Sharapova continues to enjoy life after tennis, one thing is clear—her family’s love and humour shine just as brightly as her Grand Slam trophies ever did.
In a world where celebrity life often feels out of reach, moments like these remind fans that even the most successful stars are still just people, finding joy in the little things and, sometimes, taking a tumble at the playground.