Maria Sharapova has made a curious choice for a new coach after announcing
that she has taken on former men’s champion Jimmy Connors.
The Russian world No. 2 split this week with Swede Thomas Hogstedt – he was
reportedly unable to travel full-time – and will apparently be guided by the
one-time American bad boy of the game from three decades ago.
Eight-time grand slam winner Connors, the classic outsider who disappeared
from the sport after his retirement in the 1990s, had a brief and torrid
coaching run with Andy Roddick which ended in 2008.
It will be hard to imagine the macho over-60 Connors managing to deal with
the intrigues and cliques WTA Tour on a regular basis as would be required
by coaching Sharapova.
“I am happy to announce that Jimmy Connors will be my new coach. I have
known Jimmy for many years and we briefly worked together in 2008 just
before the Australian Open,” Sharapova said on her website. “I am really
excited about our new partnership and looking forward to the upcoming
tournaments.”
Sharapova may have come to her fast decision after losing in the Wimbledon
second round this month under the Hogstedt tutelage. She was upset by
Portuguese qualifier Michelle Larcher de Brito, ranked 131.
Connors has been at a loose end in tennis since parting with Roddick, not
seen on the BBC Wimbledon coverage for several seasons and recently
undergoing hip surgery. His tell-all autobiography in which he embarrassed
former fiance Chris Evert by revealing her teenaged pregnancy. Jimmy’s book “The Outsider” has fallen well
down on the New York Times bestseller list and the Sharapova offer may be
just the financial boost the old stager needs.
@10sBalls_com It seems that Maria was not the one who wanted the changes…