The former world No. 1 transformed a US$4.1 million California coastal plot into a Japanese-inspired mansion that NBA star Luka Dončić later purchased for a record price.

By Webfit News | International | 23 October 2026

Former tennis champion Maria Sharapova has attracted attention for a remarkable property deal involving a custom-built mansion in Manhattan Beach, California.

The five-time Grand Slam winner purchased an ocean-view plot for US$4.1 million in 2012, commissioned a luxury home and sold the completed property to Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić for US$25 million in 2025.

The transaction reportedly set a residential sale record for Manhattan Beach, a coastal community southwest of Los Angeles.

Although the difference between the original land price and the final selling price is US$20.9 million, that figure does not represent Sharapova's confirmed profit because construction and other ownership costs have not been disclosed.

A Home Designed Around Sharapova's Vision

Sharapova bought the land in 2012, the same year she won the French Open and completed her career Grand Slam.

Instead of purchasing an existing mansion, she worked with Los Angeles architecture firm KAA Design, led by architect Grant Kirkpatrick, to develop a home reflecting her personal style.

The three-storey residence was completed in 2015 after approximately three years of construction.

Its architecture draws inspiration from Japanese design, combining exposed concrete, pale oak flooring, dark cedar and expansive glass doors.

The five-bedroom home features ocean views, a swimming pool, landscaped outdoor spaces and open-plan living areas designed to connect the interior with the surrounding environment.

One particularly unusual feature is a private two-lane bowling alley.

Despite Sharapova's extraordinary tennis career, the property has no tennis court.

The home was intended as a place to relax away from professional competition rather than an extension of her sporting life.

Its distinctive architecture attracted international attention, including a feature in Architectural Digest in 2019.

Why Sharapova Decided to Move On

Sharapova retired from professional tennis in 2020 after winning five Grand Slam singles titles and reaching world No. 1.

Since leaving the sport, she has focused on business interests and family life.

She became engaged to British businessman Alexander Gilkes in 2020, and the couple welcomed their son, Theodore, in 2022.

Reports indicated that the family's plans to spend more time in Europe contributed to her decision to sell the Manhattan Beach home.

The property was listed in July 2025 with an asking price of US$24.995 million.

Luka Dončić Takes Ownership

The buyer, Slovenian basketball star Luka Dončić, had joined the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in 2025.

His purchase followed a reported three-year, US$165 million contract extension with the NBA franchise.

The mansion offered Dončić a spacious private residence in Southern California, within reach of his new team.

The transaction closed in late August 2025 and was publicly reported the following month.

According to Architectural Digest, the deal established a new residential sale record for Manhattan Beach.

A $20.9 Million Difference — but Not Necessarily Profit

The headline numbers are impressive, but there is an important financial distinction.

Sharapova paid US$4.1 million for vacant land and later received US$25 million for a fully developed luxury property.

The difference is US$20.9 million.

However, that calculation excludes the cost of constructing the mansion, architectural and professional fees, maintenance, taxes and selling expenses.

Without those details, her actual investment return cannot be established.

The transaction nevertheless highlights the premium buyers may place on architect-designed homes in desirable coastal locations.

Sharapova's Other California Properties

Sharapova has also been linked to significant property purchases elsewhere in California.

In January 2024, she reportedly acquired a five-bedroom estate in Montecito for US$11.5 million.

She had previously purchased a five-acre ranch in Summerland for approximately US$8.6 million in 2020.

Those holdings suggest that the Manhattan Beach transaction formed part of changes to her wider property portfolio rather than a complete departure from California.

A New Chapter for Two Sporting Stars

For Sharapova, the Manhattan Beach mansion represented more than a real estate investment.

It was a home she helped design during her years at the top of international tennis, reflecting her interest in architecture and understated luxury.

For Dončić, the purchase came during a major career transition following his move to the Lakers.

The property now connects two prominent sporting careers, with one owner moving into a new stage of life and another establishing himself in Los Angeles.

Beyond the celebrity names, the deal illustrates how a carefully designed home in a sought-after location can command an exceptional price — while also showing why a property's selling price should never be confused with its owner's actual profit.

Source: The Times of India, 21 October 2026, citing property reporting from Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal and other publications.

Currency note: All figures are in US dollars.