Tennis Biz News

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 9th August 2013

Tennis Biz News

epa03758140 Maria Sharapova of Russia celebrates a point against Kristina Mladenovic of France during their first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 24 June 2013. EPA/GERRY PENNY |

Russia’s Maria Sharapova is already excited by the approaching US Open – even if she has not played a ball yet on hardcourt due to a hip injury.

The Russian marketing icon whose image is sure to be on display around the New York metropolitan area as the face of a sponsor or two, has shared her enthusiasm with fans on Twitter: “New York is just around the corner!! Saw the TV ads and got all excited. @usopen.”

Sharapova has not played since Wimbledon due to her hip problems and also made a key personnel decision by signing former great Jimmy Connors for her coach – at least for now. Connors will surely be on hand next week in Cincinnati for his pupil’s WTA return as well as for the Open, which starts on August 26.

The Russian reached the New York semi-finals a year ago.

Credit Suisse is sponsoring the “New York Tennis Debate” on August 23 at the Grand Hyatt in midtown Manhattan.

The panel will discuss the topic ‘Beyond the Baseline – What can tennis do to improve lives in Africa?’ The debate will feature WTA CEO Stacey Allaster, Lorne Abony, the Chairman and CEO of Mood Media and a member of the ATP’s Competition Committee, Justin Gimelstob, a former player, and now a tennis broadcaster and a member of the ATP’s board, as well as Janine Handel, the CEO of the Roger Federer Foundation.