It has been raining engagements this week! After Nate Schmidt, now Maria Sharapova, the Russian tennis ace has confirmed that she is engaged to her long-term boyfriend, British businessman, Alexander Gilkes.

She posted the announcement on her Instagram and fans are thrilled for the couple!

Maria Sharapova and her engagement to Alexander Gilkes

On 17 December 2020, Russian tennis star, Maria Sharapova announced that she is engaged to her long-term beau, British businessman, Alexander Gilkes. Alexander is a friend of Prince William of the UK.

The sportswoman made the confirming announcement on her Instagram. Maira uploaded a series of different pictures of the two on her social media and captioned them:

“I said yes from the first day we met❤️This was our little secret, wasn’t it 💍🥂@gilkesa”

It is known that the two are now engaged but Maria did not furnish any more details of the engagement and the place that Alexander proposed to her. Maybe, we will get more details during one of her interviews.

Maria and Alexander-the relationship

The tennis ace, Maria, and her boyfriend Alexander were spotted first in June of the year 2018. They were at the Argento Ball for the Elton John Aids Foundation.

But before that, they were also seen in Beverly Hills. But the couple kept silent at that time and did not comment on the reports and photos that surfaced during those days.

It was later in October 2018 that the couple went public with their relationship. They were on a romantic trip to the Cotswolds.

And then after that, they intermittently uploaded photos on their social media about their trips. Media outlets also published their other photos at several public events together.

Earlier, in 2009, Maria was dating former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard, Sasha Vujacic. They were also engaged and were to get married.

But in August 2012, Maria confirmed that they had split. Later, she was in a relationship with fellow tennis star Grigor Dimitrov. But that relationship also failed.

About Alexander Gilkes

Maria’s fiance, Alexander also uploaded a photo of them on his Instagram and wrote:

“Thank you for making me a very very happy boy. I look forward to a lifetime of loving you, and learning from you @mariasharapova #💍”

Alexander, 41 is from the UK and he has co-founded the online auction house Paddle 8. He was married before and his ex-wife is Misha Nonoo who is the best friend of actress Meghan Markle.

Misha had a major role to play in bringing Prince Harry and Meghan close. After 13 years of marriage, Misha and Alexander split in 2016. He is an alum of Eton College.

Fans rushed to the comments section to post their congratulations on the engagement. One fan wrote:

“Congrats.”

Many of them posted heart, kiss, and clapping emojis on the occasion. Another fan posted:

“Omggggg Congrats Love so happy for you!”

And a third fan commented:

“Such fantastic news.”

And one follower noted:

“Ahhhhh Yessss Congratulations!!!”

Similarly, followed it with multiple red hearts. Maria has thanked all her fans for their good wishes.

Also, read the complete bio of Maria Sharapova here