World number two Maria Sharapova has named eight-time Grand Slam title winner Jimmy Connors as her new coach.The Russian, who lost in the second round of Wimbledon to Michelle Larcher de Brito, announced on Thursday she had split with coach Thomas Hogstedt.
Sharapova, 26, said Hogstedt was “not able to travel in the near future” and has linked up with 60-year-old Connors.
“I am really excited about our new partnership and looking forward to the upcoming tournaments,” she said.
Connors said on Twitter: “Excited to be working with four-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova. Adding to that number is the goal. Looking forward to some fun & hard work!”
Announcing her split with her former coach, Sharapova said in a statement: “After almost three years of working together, Thomas Hogstedt and I decided to part ways.
“I am very thankful for all his work, and wish him much success in the future.”
Sharapova worked with American Connors in 2008, just before the Australian Open.
She won three Grand Slam tournaments between 2004 and 2008, adding the French Open in 2012 to her list of major titles.
Connors previously coached Andy Roddick, who he helped reach the final of the US Open in 2006, the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2007 and the quarter-finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open that year before they split in March 2008.
Connors won five US Open titles, Wimbledon twice and the Australian Open once as a player, topping the world rankings from July 1974 to August 1977.
– BBC Sport
