Shy Sharapova has an artsy side

Despite being the highest paid female athlete on the planet and one of the most recognizable faces in pro tennis, Maria Sharapova insists she is shy and doesn't need expensive things to make her happy.

But the massively wealthy world No 2, who has topped the Forbes list of the world's richest women athletes for 10 years, also confesses to loving art and architecture. She also enjoys karaoke, belting out Cher hits.

"I'm quite shy, actually, in the beginning," the US-based Russian told The Age newspaper in Melbourne as she prepares to launch her Australian Open campaign.