Feb 26, 2020 - Sports

Tennis star Maria Sharapova announces retirement

Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2018. Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Maria Sharapova announced Wednesday her retirement from professional tennis in an essay in Vanity Fair, closing out a career that saw her win Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 17 and eventually add four more Grand Slam titles.

What she's saying: "Looking back now, I realize that tennis has been my mountain," she wrote. "My path has been filled with valleys and detours, but the views from its peak were incredible. After 28 years and five Grand Slam titles, though, I’m ready to scale another mountain — to compete on a different type of terrain."

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Axios

“Axios on HBO” interviews Billie Jean King

On the next episode of “Axios on HBO,” tennis legend Billie Jean King and other women sports pioneers talk equity in athletics. Tune in Sunday, March 8 at 6 p.m. ET/PT on all HBO platforms.

Keep ReadingMar 7, 2020 - Sports

Sara Fischer, Kim Hart

Free content gives relief to parents juggling kids and work at home

Illustration: Rebecca Zisser/Axios

Media outlets and e-learning companies are opening up access to free kids' content, tools and resources to parents who are struggling to entertain their kids at home while also working remotely.

Why it matters: As schools and offices both shut down because of the coronavirus outbreak, parents are trying to figure out how to do two full-time jobs at once. Access to free content and educational programs can help reduce that burden.

Go deeperMar 24, 2020 - Economy & Business

Dion Rabouin

The world's debt situation is much worse than in 2008

Illustration: Rebecca Zisser/Axios

Perhaps the biggest risk for financial markets is the potential for wide-ranging debt defaults, particularly as companies have significantly increased their debt load and more are rated at the bottom of the investment grade ratings scale.

Why it matters: The world's companies are in a much worse position amid the coronavirus pandemic than they were ahead of the global financial crisis.

Go deeperMar 16, 2020 - Economy & Business