Sharapova Chooses Jimmy Connors as New Coach

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 13th July 2013

Sharapova Chooses Jimmy Connors as New Coach

epa03762728 Russian player Maria Sharapova watches a show court match during second round action for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 27 June 2013. EPA/GERRY PENNY |

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.

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luciahoff says:

July 13, 2013 at 7:12 pm

@10sBalls_com It seems that Maria was not the one who wanted the changes…

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