Maria Sharapova Shares Diet Secrets, Talks Skinny Body in Shape Mag

Maria Sharapova‘s got an amazing bikini body, but when it comes to dieting it’s her performance on court, not her sexy figure, that the stunning tennis player is focused on.

Talking in the September issue of Self Magazine, the Russian beauty reveals carbs play an important role in her food intake, as she needs to fuel her body to ensure top results on the tennis court.

“Carbs are important for my sport, but it’s about finding the right balance between them and protein,” the athlete explains. “In the morning, I have fruit, then rye toast with goat cheese and a piece of ham. When I’m playing tournaments, I try to minimize things that can create inflammation, like lactose, and goat cheese is easier for me to process than butter,” she continues.

“For lunch, it’s a protein like chicken and then soup, because I’m Russian and we love soups,” she says. “For dinner, I’ll have fish, like salmon or sea bass, and rice or potatoes.”

Sharapova has been crowned a “SELF Made” cover star in recognition of her status as a successful woman pursuing her passions while also prioritizing a healthy lifestyle.

But as the US Open approaches, Sharapova insists her sole focus on court is winning tennis tournaments, her appearance isn’t even an issue.

“I have a competitive drive. It’s ferocious and powerful, and it’s about winning,” she explains to the publication. “When I’m on the court, I’m not thinking about how I look. I do my ponytail in two seconds, and I’m not wearing a stitch of makeup. I’m confident in my skin, and I’m there to play the game.”

But winning Grand Slams isn’t the only goal in Sharapova’s sights. Having branched out into fashion, philanthropy, beauty and even candy production, the 27-year-old’s position on the top of the Forbes list of highest-paid female athletes isn’t an accident.

“Designing has really changed my thinking process and my on-court look,” she admits of creating her eponymous collection for NIke. “Even if I want to be the one pushing fashion on the court, today I want to do it in a way that a woman playing in a doubles league can wear, too.”

And while lending her name to a range of candy might seem at odds with her uber-healthy lifestyle, the tennis pro insists it’s not.

“The name is a fun play off of mine,” she says of the Sugarpova range. “But we wondered if people even knew it was related to me. I’m a huge advocate for a healthy lifestyle. I never did this to encourage people to eat candy all the time. It’s all in moderation.”

For more of Sharapova’s diet and success secrets, pick up the new issue of Self Magazine, on sale on newsstands Tuesday, August 26.

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