Sharapova played tennis when rackets were "twice" her size 2:45
(CNN) --
Maria Sharapova, who won all four of her tennis Grand Slam titles during her career, celebrated her 35th birthday on Tuesday, but she will remember the day for more than one reason after she announced she was expecting her first child with her fiancé. Alexander Gilkes.
The former tennis star posted a photo on Instagram showing off her small bump while posing on the beach.
Maria Sharapova and fiancé Alexander Gilkes arrive at the 2021 Met Gala.
"Precious beginnings," she wrote in the caption.
"Eating birthday cake for two has always been my specialty."
Maria Sharapova, who retired from the sport just two years ago, announced her engagement to British businessman Gilkes in December 2020.
The pair have been in a relationship since 2018 and Gilkes was often at Sharapova's games towards the end of her career.
Gilkes reacted to Sharapova's announcement with a simple heart-eyes emoji.
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The former world number one was one of the most famous tennis players during her career.
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Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova announced her retirement from tennis on February 26, 2020 at the age of 32.
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The Russian rose to fame when she defeated Serena Williams 6-1 6-4 in the Wimbledon final in 2004. Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
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She was just 17 years old when she became the third youngest Wimbledon champion.
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Having risen to the top of the world rankings, Sharapova secured her second Grand Slam title with victory over Justine Henin at the US Open in 2006. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
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Her third big win came at the 2008 Australian Open when she defeated Serbian Ana Ivanovic in the final without having dropped a set in the entire tournament.
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Despite her success, Sharapova also struggled with injuries in the early part of her career, suffering from a series of shoulder problems that eventually required surgery in 2008. Here, she receives treatment as she takes on Petra Kvitova at the Torya Pan Pacific Open. in Tokyo in 2011. Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
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Having fallen twice in the semifinals and three times in the French Open quarterfinals, Sharapova finally completed the Grand Slam of all four major titles when she defeated Italy's Sara Errani at Roland Garros in 2012. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe /Getty Images
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It wasn't long before the Russian clinched her second title in Paris, defeating Simona Halep in the 2014 final. But that would be the last major tournament victory of hers in Sharapova's career.
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In 2016 he tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.
His initial two-year suspension was reduced to 15 months after an appeal.
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She returned in April 2017 at the Stuttgart Open, where she won her first match since she served the ban, against Italy's Roberta Vinci.
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Sharapova made her return to a major tournament at the 2017 US Open, reaching the fourth round.
She was unable to reach the same heights as her at the beginning of her career and her best result was a quarter-final at the French Open in 2018. Elsa/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
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He built a successful business empire off the pitch, pictured here at an event for his company Sugarpova in London last year.
His sponsorships have included Nike, Gatorade, Canon and Cole Haan.
Joe Maher/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images for Sugarpova
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She played the last match of her career at the 2020 Australian Open. After an injury-plagued year, Sharapova lost to Croatian Donna Vekic in the first round in Melbourne.
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She is one of 10 women to have won all four Grand Slam titles during her career, finishing with a total of five.
Her last appearance was at the 2020 Australian Open, where she was eliminated in the first round by Donna Vekić.
Maria Sharapova collected more than $38 million in prize money in her career, according to the WTA website.
Maria Sharapova