Maria Sharapova jokes she's 'coming out of retirement' for TopSpin 2K25

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova is coming out of retirement ... as a playabale character in the newly-release tennis video game, TopSpin 2k25.

Sharapova is one of more than two dozen playable characters in the game, which was released on Friday, in a roster that also includes Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, Daniil Medevdev, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.

Sharapova hit social media in the aftermath of the game's launch to promote the installment, having previously been a cover star on both the Top Spin 2and Top Spin 3titles. Early reviews indicate that Sharapova's character has plenty of enviable strengths, making her a popular choice for the game's online, multiplayer mode.

"The world tour [is] full of Sharapovas," one fan joked, while another quipped that "your character needs a new outfit."

But Sharapova's not the only pro buzzing about the first addition to the Top Spin franchise in more than a decade.

Americans Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe are both ready to play (as themselves or otherwise, as they too are on the roster), and Tiafoe even stars on the cover of the game's deluxe edition. The 2022 US Open men's singles semifinalist even filmed a special teaser to promote the game with rapper Pusha T, which the clip lauds as a "tennis aficionado."

"This was a fun shoot," Tiafoe posted on X, formerly Twitter, while Keys added that she's "been waiting so long for this."

Even players not featured in the game are into it.

Gael Monfils, a noted Twitch streamer, took to social media to solicit early feedback, while Liam Broady played through the game on his own Twitch channel in a nearly three-hour playthrough.

The Brit, currently sidelined from the tour due to injury, later offered his honest review on X.

"Game is really fun but not much depth to it and compared to other video game prices I feel like you should get more for your money," he said.

Want to try the game out for yourself? TopSpin 2k25 is now available on PlayStation, XBox and Windows PC platforms.