In
recent months, Maria Sharapova had lost some of the edge in her game
that had made her world's No. 1 tennis player in May of 2012. So she has
turned to a coach who played with a bit of an edge as a world's former
No. 1 player.
Sharapova hired Jimmy Connors as her new coach, according to several
media sources, one day after parting ways with Thomas Hogstedt. Hogstedt
worked with her for three years following her recovery from shoulder
surgery and helped her reclaim the No. 1 ranking with the 2012 French
Open championship.
"I am happy to announce that Jimmy Connors will be my new coach,"
Sharpova said in a statement on her official website. "I have known
Jimmy for many years and we briefly worked together in 2008 just before
the Australian Open. I am really excited about our new partnership and
looking forward to the upcoming tournaments."
The move apparently has been in the making for some time. When she
parted ways with Hogstedt on Friday, her statement indicated that she
already knew whom she would entrust with her career moving forward.
"After almost 3 years of working together, Thomas Hogstedt and I
decided to part ways," Sharapova posted on her website, as reported by
the Los Angeles Times. "Due to personal issues, he was not able to
travel in the near future and we both agreed it was the right time to
move our separate ways.
"I am very thankful for all his work, and wish him much success in
the future. I will be announcing my new coach in a few days. Very
excited!"
So far, the sometimes boisterous Connors has been relatively quiet
about the announcement, sending out only one tweet in affirmation of the
union.
"Excited to be working with 4 time GS champion @MariaSharapova
Adding to that number is the goal. Looking forward to some fun &
hard work!"
Sharapova currently is ranked second in the world to No. 1 Serena
Williams. Sharapova has won four majors, which consist of one of each of
the four grand slams.
Connors, whose website front page says, "I hate to lose more than I
love to win," will be employed to help Sharapova mentally against the
top players, especially Williams, who has won 13 straight matches
between the two.
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