"Am I Allowed to Swear on This Show?" - Sharapova Tears Up During Interview

The four-time Grand Slam champion retired from tennis in early 2020 to pursue a business career, including a seat on the board of fashion house "Moncler", as well as investments in "UFC", "Public.com", and "Clio Snacks".

Sharapova recently returned to the tennis scene, attending this year's Wimbledon as a Stella Artois brand ambassador for their "Perfect Serve" campaign, in partnership with the SW19 tournament.

She appeared alongside fellow ambassador David Beckham, pouring pints on Henman Hill and enjoying matches on Centre Court.

Her latest media appearance was considerably less comfortable – she was a guest on Sean Evans' "Hot Ones," a show known for its challenging questions and increasingly spicy chicken wings.

Many celebrities, like Jennifer Lawrence and Margot Robbie, have been reduced to tears on the show, and Sharapova preemptively warned Evans she wouldn't "cry elegantly" like Robbie.

While working her way through the first few hot sauces, Sharapova addressed her infamous on-court grunting, a frequent topic of discussion and criticism throughout her career. The former Wimbledon champion, known for her loud play, insisted she never consciously amplified the sounds to intimidate opponents.

As the show progressed and the wings intensified in heat, Sharapova became visibly distressed, at one point asking Evans how he managed to continue asking questions. The climax came when Evans asked: "In doubles – would you rather play with a cherry-picker or a poacher?"

Sharapova, wiping away tears and battling the spice, exclaimed, "What the hell is a cherry-picker? Am I allowed to swear on this show?" She eventually answered that she'd prefer to play with a cherry-picker.

During her career, she won three doubles titles but never seriously focused on the discipline – her highest doubles ranking was 41. Sharapova retired from professional tennis five years ago after struggling with injuries and returning from a doping suspension.

She tested positive for meldonium, a heart medication newly banned at the time, at the 2016 Australian Open. She was initially suspended for two years, but the ban was later reduced as it was determined she had taken the medication on doctor's orders and had an "honest belief" that she was complying with the rules.