Want a story about a relative nonstory? Here goes: Maria Sharapova, a well-oiled marketing machine, threw the sports world (and perhaps the larger world) for a loop with the notion that she actually might change her surname to Sugarpova ahead and for the duration of the U.S. Open in New York City. Neil Harman had that news first, and then Sharapova's agent, Max Eisenbud, refuted it to ESPN. But not before "serious consideration" took place. As Eisenbud told TENNIS.com's Matt Cronin, "We were really considering it."
Having reconsidered, thoughts turn—or do they anymore?—to Sharapova's coaching situation. She fired Jimmy Connors after her Cincinnati loss to Sloane Stephens, and father Yuri is working with her in NYC so far, where she has (to the surprise of no one) a Sugarpova event tonight. What's more, Sugarpova may very well begin selling accessories such as bags, purses, and bracelets soon, judging by the goodies on hand tonight in Manhattan.
So Sharapova got more than she bargained for with a supposed name-change inquiry, a move reportedly too difficult to pull in time for the stateside Open. What remains: Sharapova is, according to Forbes.com, the highest-earning female athlete on the planet, this for the ninth year in a row. In the past year, June to June, Sharapova reportedly made $29 million total, on and off the tennis court. Suddenly $5.95 for a bag of Sugarpova candy doesn't seem like so much.
What do you think of the latest in Sharapova's world?
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