Russia's Maria Sharapova poses with the women's single trophy after winning the championship at the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 26, 2008. Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova of Russia announced her retirement from professional tennis at 32 on February 26, followed by NBA star Vince Carter (June 25), Chinese badminton icon Lin Dan (July 4), and Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas (August 4). (Xinhua/Lui Sui Wai)
