Adriana Sklenarikova was born September 17, 1971, in Brezno, Slovakia, which was the former Russian state of Czechoslovakia. During her childhood, she was faced with some difficult times as a result of being in a poor country seized with war. Adriana has often been described as shy, with a very strong character. Adriana was enrolled as a medical student in Prague when she took part in a modeling contest and won. It was a big change for her coming into the fashion world, it was like entering an underground culture.

Adriana is a vision, to both look at and admire, she is truly the essence of beauty, and at only 28 years of age, she is at the prime of her life. An accomplished model appearing on virtually every men's magazine, she has graced the yearly issue of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. Whether it's the long flowing blonde hair, or the sultry lips, there is something magical about Adriana.

With her incredible beauty and grace, Adriana was quickly contracted by Next Modeling Agency in New York, and Elite Modeling in Milan. Another big break came after being chosen as the new Wonder Bra girl that added incredible exposure for her, and she has been in plenty of advertisement campaigns since then. Adriana has represented many big companies including Argentovivo, Byron Lars, Laura Biagiotti, Levante Hosiery, List, Love Sex Money, Onyx Jeans, Peroni Beer, Red Point, and Roberto Cavalli.

In 1999, the weekly magazine L'Ev��n��ment published a list of favorites where in the French erotic dreams Adriana is listed together with Sophie Marceau and Laetitia Casta. This was the start of brilliant career as a model in Paris. Adriana's modeling contract with Peroni Beer paved the final stretch to fame, where she appeared in TV spots. She is now part of the Victoria Secret modeling team with other great supermodels like Tyra Banks and Daniela Pestova.

Adriana is now happily living in Madrid, with her soccer player husband Christian Karembeu. Their marriage was a major event in Spain in December of 1998. Adriana is one of the best known models in Europe, and her husband is the star of one of the country's leading soccer teams.

Nationality
Russia



Residence
Bradenton, Florida, USA




Birthdate
April 19, 1987




Birthplace


Nyagan, Russia (Siberian Region)



Height
6'2 (1.88 m)




Weight



130 lbs. (59 kg)

Plays
Right-handed, Double-Hand Backhand




Status
Pro (since 19 April 2001)




See more hot wallpapers of Maria.....


Racquet: Prince O^3 White
Wears Clothing By: Nike
Shoes Manufactured By: Nike
Other Sponsorships:

Pro Tour Singles Titles: 11
Pro Tour Doubles Titles: 3
Grand Slam Titles: 1 Singles
ITF Circuit Singles Titles: 4 singles
Career Prize Money: $5,026,526
Career Win/Loss Record: $5,026,526


Other Information:

Coached by her father and Michael Joyce...Started hitting tennis balls at age four; at six, participated in exhibition in Moscow that featured Martina Navratilova; began training at Nick Bollettieri���s Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida, USA, at age nine (which required a two-year separation from mother due to visa restrictions and finances)...Off-court interests include fashion, singing, jazz dancing and movies (favorite is Pearl Harbor)...Featured as On the Move by People Magazine in its September 1, 2003, issue...In second year of high school and studies via an internet school...Enjoys reading books in the Sherlock Holmes and Pippi Longstocking series...Favors Russian music and food, Russian food (except for Italian bread)...Says favorite dessert is 'anything.'

1987 - Born on April 19 in Nyagan, in the Siberian region of Russia, coincidentally on the same day the Soviet Union carries out an underground nuclear test.

1989 - Yuri Sharapov and his wife Yelena, together with young Maria, move to the Black Sea resort of Sochi on the "Russian Riviera" - drawn by the prospect of palm trees and 200 days of sunshine a year

1991 - A four-year-old Maria picks up a racket and starts playing tennis.

1992 - While playing in an exhibition tournament in Moscow the five-year-old Maria is spotted by tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who recommends Nick Bollettieri's tennis academy in the United States.

1995 - Maria and her father travel to Miami and arrive, uninvited, at Bollettieri's academy in Bradenton, Florida. One of Bollettieri's coaches agrees to take her on court and with her first stroke she knocks his hat off. "Then I hit a few balls and he called Nick right away," she said.

1996 - The nine-year-old begins a two-year separation from her mother - the result of visa restrictions and the family's financial situation - as she starts intensive training at the Bollettieri academy.

"When I came to the United States it wasn't easy for me," said Sharapova. "I didn't see my mum for two years and I barely saw my dad for one year. I was living in a dormitory by myself and sacrificed a lot of things."

2001 - Maria turns professional on her 14th birthday. Off court she develops interests in fashion, reading, dancing, stamp-collecting and movies - her favourite is Pearl Harbor.

2002 - She reaches the final of the junior event at the Australian Open and in March enters the WTA world rankings at No 532. Her talent, though, has already been noticed and she appears in a magazine list as one of 20 teenagers who will change the world and one of the 21 athletes to star in the 21st century. She ends the year ranked at No186.

2003 - In the year she was voted one of the "coolest girls" in America, Sharapova rapidly rises up the rankings. She makes her grand slam debut in the Australian Open and also qualifies for the French Open. Then, after reaching the semi-finals at Edgbaston, she progresses to the fourth round at Wimbledon, the best-ever performance by a female wild card. She wins her first titles on the WTA tour - in Japan and Quebec - and ends the year ranked 32.

"My drive and determination comes from my Russian blood," says the 16-year-old, now attracting attention for her glamour as well as her game. However, despite her fashion photo-shoots she rejects any comparison with another Russian, Anna Kournikova.

2004 - Coached by her father and Robert Lansdorp, who has also worked with Pete Sampras and Lindsay Davenport, Sharapova goes from strength to strength, reaching the third round of the Australian Open before losing to another Russian, Anastasia Myskina.

In March she plays Serena Williams for the first time, losing 6-4, 6-3 in Miami. A month later she breaks into the world's top 20 and the 6ft 17-year-old maintains her momentum by reaching the French Open quarter-finals, losing to Paola Su��rez 6-1, 6-3.

The setback is only temporary as she embarks on a run of 11 consecutive victories on grass, racing to the Edgbaston title - she beat the 16-year-old Tatiana Golovin of France in the final - and then, world ranked 15 and seeded 13, reaching the Wimbledon final.

As she faces up to Serena Williams today, Sharapova has already won ��300,000 from her playing career. If she triumphs today that figure will be close to her first million.