Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova knows who she will be working alongside during the US Open, but beyond that remains up in the air.
The five-time grand slam champion is currently in the midst of making changes to her team following the rumoured departure of Thomas Högstedt. Something Sharapova is yet to comment on. In a recent article published by Swedish tennis academy Good To Great, Högstedt has been engaged in negotiations to work with Rebecca Peterson on a permanent basis.
At the New York major Sharapova has enlisted the help of Riccardo Piatti, who she spent time with in his academy in Elba earlier in the year. Italian-based Piatti has worked with a wealth of top tennis players throughout his career. Including Milos Raonic, Richard Gasquet, Ivan Ljubicic and Novak Djokovic.
“I’m not sure. It’s still a work in progress. But Riccardo will be with me in New York.” Sharapova commented about her coaching situation during the Western and Southern Open.
“I just crashed his summer camp in Elba. I didn’t know Elba existed until I knew he was there.’
“I still have to continue to look to play a few more practice matches. I feel there is a lot of things I want to improve. Yeah, it’s endless.”
It remains to be seen who the 32-year-old may partner with in the future. Since starting her comeback from a doping ban in March 2017, she has worked with two different coaches. In March 2018 she stopped working with Sven Groeneveld after almost four years. Then it was another stint with Högstedt, who she has previously worked with. So what is Sharapova looking for now?
“I came off of Wimbledon just wanting to simplify things, and I think that’s what I really liked and the approach that Riccardo had, as well, in the couple of weeks I spent with him. Just wasn’t anything like I have never heard before or something completely new.” Sharapova said about her time with Piatti.
“I think all of us who have played tennis for many years, and as a coach you have seen a lot of things, maybe someone can tell you the same thing, but in the way they say it maybe with their knowledge and how wise they are and through their experience just gets to you a little bit differently.”
Sharapova is currently in the middle of a comeback to the tour from injury. This week was only the fifth tournament the Russian has played in since the Australian Open in January. She was sidelined from action for just over four months due to a shoulder injury. Then at Wimbledon she retired in her first round match due to a forearm issue.
The latest defeat Sharapova suffered was to Ash Barty in Cincinnati on Wednesday. Falling 6-4, 6-1, to the Australian, who lost her world No.1 position to Naomi Osaka last week. Despite the loss, Sharapova exits the tournament with her head held high. Prior to playing Barty, she knocked out Wimbledon quarter-finalist Alison Riske. Scoring only her second victory over a top 40 player this season.
“Just coming off of them, feeling quite good body-wise. I think it’s really easy to take that for granted because it’s a sport, so result-oriented.” Sharapova explained.
“I have sat in this chair a few times where I haven’t finished the match or I feel like I have a long road ahead of me in terms of recovery with the body, so, yeah, that’s a positive.”
Sharapova’s next tournament will be the US Open.
