Comedian and Giggly Squad host Hannah Berner joins Maria Sharapova for a special live episode of Pretty Tough in New York City! Hannah opens up about her lifelong obsession with tennis, playing on the junior circuit, and why her ultimate childhood dream was to win Wimbledon before pivoting to stand-up comedy.

Hannah and Maria dive into the pressure of competitive sports, meeting her heroes, surviving reality TV on Summer House, and treating comedy touring like an elite athlete. Plus, Hannah shares the truth behind "Smile Gate," unlearning self-criticism, and where she gets her confidence from.

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CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction & Live Show Opening

00:20 – Welcoming Hannah Berner: From Junior Tennis Circuit to Comedy

02:15 – Childhood Dreams: Wanting to Win Wimbledon

03:50 – US Open Predictions & Fan Favorites

04:45 – The Crazy Story of Chelsea Handler in the Player's Box

08:30 – Playing Like the Boys & High School Tennis Memories

11:00 – The Mental Toll of Losing and Pressure in Pro Tennis

15:00 – Pivoting Away from Tennis & Overcoming Setbacks

20:00 – Finding Stand-Up Comedy & Re-Parenting Yourself

23:15 – Reality TV, Summer House, and Handling Public Narratives

26:15 – Where Confidence Comes From: Tennis vs. Comedy

30:00 – Hitting with Kim Clijsters & Racket String Tensions

34:00 – The "Smile Gate" TMJ Botox Story

38:50 – Marriage to a Fellow Comedian & Working with Amy Poehler

42:00 – Treating Comedy Touring Like an Athletic Event

44:45 – The Rapid-Fire Game: Tennis vs. Comedy

53:50 – Closing Segment: Unlearning, Perfection, and What Makes You Tough

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About Pretty Tough

Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.

About Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.

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