BIG SWING Watch Maria Sharapova show off boxing skills as tennis star works out with trainer Tommy Cassano on LA beach

Sharapova has enjoyed sparring sessions before but has had more time to concentrate on pugilism since retiring.

Before returning from a 15-month drugs ban in April 2017, the former world number one shared a video of herself bobbing and weaving in a gym during her enforced absence from tennis.

“I tried boxing as I needed to keep myself in good form,” she said at the time, hinting at her frustration at being temporarily barred from competing.

“It was great as I could imagine some particular people whom I wanted to hit.”

TOP 5 PHOTOS, 7/30: SHARAPOVA GOES BIG IN LATEST MAKEOVER

She has kept active in recent months, showing off her sweaty sessions at home under the virtual guidance of celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson, who has also worked with tennis ace Venus Williams and pop star Jennifer Lopez.

Sharapova also keeps fit by exploring the great outdoors, most recently making a two-hour climb above Norton Lakes in Idaho, which she confessed had been a prelude to eating a pizza as a reward.

In recent weeks she has taken in Mersa Verde National Park in Colorado, where she visited ancient cliff dwellings for boyfriend Alexander Gilkes‘ birthday, and a luxury resort in California.

She wore a glamorous outfit as she headed out in Idaho’s Sun Valley earlier this week, adding: “Apologies for the awkward giggle – I forgot how to pose in a cocktail dress.”