Fictional story — all events, dialogues, and implications are entirely invented and harmless.
For years, fans whispered about it. Commentators joked about it. Sharapova herself laughed it off in interviews, insisting it was “just a silly rumor.”
But now, a newly surfaced set of photos has finally confirmed what many suspected—and it has sent the internet into a delightful meltdown.
The Rumor That Refused to Die
The story began nearly a decade ago: claims that Maria Sharapova had secretly formed an unusually strong bond with someone she insisted was “just a friend.”
Not a teammate. Not a rival. Not a mystery partner.
But a stray golden retriever she supposedly met during a training camp in Mallorca.
For years, fans speculated that the dog—nicknamed Sol by local residents—would mysteriously appear near practice courts whenever Sharapova trained on the island. Photos circulated, but none were clear enough to prove anything.
Sharapova always brushed the talk away:
“Guys, I love dogs. That doesn’t mean I’m hiding one.”
The Photos That Shut Down the Denials
This week, a retired Spanish coach shared a folder of previously unseen images from a 2016 pre-season training session. In them, Sharapova is unmistakably seen:
sneaking scraps of her breakfast to the fluffy golden retriever
sitting cross-legged on the clay court while Sol rests his head on her knee
and the most viral image of all: Sharapova tying her shoelaces while the dog sits proudly beside her like a personal bodyguard
The internet exploded.
One fan wrote: “This is the forbidden bond she tried to hide? I’m crying and screaming at the same time.”
Another added: “She said she didn’t adopt him… but he clearly adopted her.”
Why She “Denied” It
Sources close to the fictional situation say Sharapova didn’t want to draw attention to the dog because she feared international travel, tournaments, and constant media attention would stress the animal.
Instead, during each Mallorca training stint, she visited Sol quietly, fed him, played fetch with him, and even paid for his veterinary care—secretly.
A court staff member claimed:
“The dog would somehow know when she arrived. He’d just… show up. No one understood it.”
Sharapova Finally Responds
After the images went viral, Sharapova posted a single photo on Instagram: the now-infamous 2016 shot of Sol sitting beside her feet.
Her caption was just one sentence:
“Okay… fine. You caught us.”
Fans immediately declared it the greatest “scandal reveal” in tennis history.
Where Is Sol Now?
According to fictional reports, Sol still lives on the island, now spoiled by locals who treat him like a small-town celebrity. Sharapova visits him whenever she trains in the region.
One local resident joked:
“Honestly, I think Sol believes he’s the famous one.”
The “Forbidden Bond” the World Now Loves
What began as a rumor has turned into one of the most wholesome stories of the year—a reminder that even global icons can form unexpected, secret connections that have nothing to do with fame, trophies, or headlines.
Sometimes, the heart simply chooses—even across fences, courts, and continents.
And in this case, it chose a golden retriever with a very good memory.
