# Tennis Champs as Cover Models Maria Sharapova Channels Madonna for GQ By lourdes sanchez bayas | Published 2008-12-01 | Celebs Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tennis-champions-in-magazine-covers-maria-sharapova-channels-madonna-for-gq References: [blog.thefashiontime](http://blog.thefashiontime.com/2008/11/maria-sharapova-in-spanish-gq/) & [gq-magazine](http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/) Russian tennis Champion [Maria Sharapova](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tempo-x-maria-sharapova) is gracing the December 2008 cover of GQ Spain. The lanky tennis star is wearing a [black teddy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/courtside-collection) which is very, very similar to the teddies that pop icon Madonna is so fond of wearing on her tours. Sharapova is following in the footsteps of [fellow Russian tennis player-turned model](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/venus-williams-barbie) Anna Kournikova. The difference between the two players, however, is that Maria is a true champion who has won several Grand Slam tournaments. Kournikova, on the other hand, has never had such success. It's a good thing for Kournikova that she had modeling to fall back on. The last image in the gallery is of Madonna wearing one of her trademark bodysuits. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 70% | Activity: 92% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Celebs](https://www.trendhunter.com/celebs) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Athletes as Models:** Athletes are increasingly becoming models for magazines, presenting opportunities for fashion and sports industries to collaborate. - **Crossover Success:** Athletes leveraging their success to enter industries such as modeling, fashion and entertainment can create disruptive innovation opportunities. - **Champion Vs Celebrity:** The success of athletes such as Maria Sharapova who balance their athletic achievements and mainstream celebrity can disrupt traditional notions of what it means to be an athlete or celebrity. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion:** Athletes as models provide greater brand diversity for the fashion industry and can create new and innovative campaigns. - **Sports:** Sports brands can use successful athletes from various fields to represent their brand and create unique marketing opportunities. - **Entertainment:** Successful athletes can enter the entertainment industry as models or actors, creating innovation opportunities at the intersection of sports and entertainment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tennis Barbie Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/venus-williams-doll.md) - [Eye-Catching Modern Tennis Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modern-tennis-collection.md) - [Fashion-Forward Tennis Sweaters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modern-activewear.md) - [Multifaceted Swimsuit Cover Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sports-illustrated-swimsuit-1.md) - [Elevated Fall Tennis Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/y3-fw25-tennis.md) - [Feminine Tennis Bracelets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tennis-bracelet.md) - [Performance-Driven Tennis Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/feel-the-heat1.md) - [Premium Dietitian-Approved Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tempo-x-maria-sharapova.md) - [Tennis-Inspired Luxurious Event Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxurious-event-series.md)