I was debating if this was even worth posting, considering it’s an unfounded rumor. But it’s a rumor about Maria Sharapova being spread by her countrywoman, Nadia Petrova, via well-respected tennis journalist, Charles Bricker. So it’s solid, at least in terms of being a “real” rumor. Here goes:
Via Bricker’s Blog by Charlie Bricker (click here):
“Maria Sharapova retiring from tennis because of her chronically bad shoulder?”
Just a rumor, says fellow Russian Nadia Petrova, who quickly added, “I don’t believe it, but that’s the rumor.”
My follow-up: “Yes, but you’re saying you’ve heard that rumor, right?”
“Yes,” she said.
How good is any rumor? I might have started one last week by “hunching” that Nick Bollettieri would retire by the end of 2009 and the two star-quality coaches he’s hired for part-time gigs — Brad Gilbert and Brian Gottfried — would move into the big office. Well, that got shot down fast enough. IMG Academies this week gave Nick a three-year extension on his present contract, that will take him through 2011.
But that was a hunch. This is a rumor. Is there a difference? There is if it comes from another women’s professional tennis player and another Russian, on top of that.
Still, there is Petrova’s qualifier: “I don’t believe it, but that’s the rumor.”
Do with this what you will, tennis fans. Me, I’ve moved it up to second place on my list of Top Tennis Worries, between “1. Roger Federer’s mental breakdown” and “3. will Tsonga ever win a major?”
But I’m a world-class worry-wart, so that doesn’t mean much. And from what I gather, the Russians are a gossipy lot (click here.)
AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jacques Boissinot via Guardian U.K.
Tags: Sharapova, tennis
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I was just about to say how Russians tend to talk, but I see you’ve figured that out :] I’m not going to worry because I don’t need a mental breakdown on my hands lol.
Ha! Yes, I can just imagine Petrova, Kuzey, Chakvetadze et. al. wagging their tongues in the lockerroom. No wonder Dinara Safina said recently that it is hard making friends on tour. This is a ruthless bunch
Oh, and I randomly read a comment by Shamil Tarpischev from Davis Cup 2007 (when Maria played) mentioning the rivalry between the fathers of Chakvetadze and Sharapova. Now that’s a cage match I’d pay to see!
Oh no Freakyfrites, I hope it’s not true! WTA will never be the same again without Shrieky
LOL oh dear Freakyfrites, try not to freak me out.
We have the exact same “Worry List” though. How much does women’s tennis need Maria Sharapova? Someone who won’t freak out just because she’s damn good at what she does and success is within grasp. The fact that she’s showing no signs of playing competitively again at the next few tournaments is bad, bad news. Unless the injury is really bad, I do think she’s too committed to the sport to let go easily though.
Hey Dootsiez! We should both post about our tennis worries and see how we match up.
But we have to promise not to peek until we’ve both posted!
You game? If so, let me know when you’ll have the time. . .
LOL seriously? sounds like a lot of angst-inducing fun. Top 10 tennis worries, say Sunday this week?
Sounds like a plan – and good therapy.
It’s like Mental Health Week in the tennis blogosphere! Poor Roger. . .
I hate Sharapova and proud of it!
HA! She is pretty fun to hate – plus you know she could give a f*ck.
I used to dislike her, but she’s grown on me. Now I love her, partly because she’s a stone cold bitch!