Maria Sharapova Fires Third Shot Across WTA Tour Bow
Article by Aaress Lawless on May 5, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark
© Sara Quinnett
Maria Sharapova must be happy about the positive reaction she received from her fans last week.
Now, in a third controversial blog entry, she offers to take her readers for a behind-the-scenes look at the real politics behind the WTA Tour.
Apparently, somebody (or multiple somebodies) did something to make Maria Sharapova mad. Really mad.
Sharapova’s first two blog entries landed her at the top of the headlines and although this has turned into a fiasco, it has certainly brought her a boatload of attention. Her personal “Mutiny on the Bounty” campaign has reaped over 5,000 voters on her poll about whether she should attend, skip, boycott, or sue the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour over forcing her to attend a photo shoot in Rome.
Her latest entry did not reveal her final decision, although Sharapova did fire a few more shots at still-unnamed Tour executives.
“I am sure many of you can tell that I am just a little frustrated with a couple of tour executives who don’t ever listen to the players and want to do their own thing,” wrote Sharapova in Monday’s edition of her “Weekly Doodles.”
“For a sport that has so much potential to grow and get bigger, you would think that the players voice would be important but unfortunately that’s not the case. They just do whatever they want and tell us what to do and how to do it. And on top of that walk around like they’re the stars.”
The ironic thing is that Sharapova is biting the hand that feeds her. One of her major sponsors is Sony Ericsson, the same company as in the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. And the Tour is not even hinting at a compromise.
“We will be as flexible as possible to accommodate all the player schedules,” said Tour spokesman Andrew Walker about the photo shoot. “But we are not making exceptions.”
“I have tried to work with them,” continued Sharapova. “I have attended numerous amounts of meetings throughout the years, but they just do what they want and threaten to fine me. So since they will not listen to me, I am going to start giving my fans a behind the scenes look at life on tour…let the fun begin!”
Maria, the fun has begun. I just hope you know where this could lead.
pov | May 6, 2008 | Reply
It appears that the first entry - talking about the WTA dubious approach to player sign-up/withdrawals - has been removed from Sharapova’s site.
Andrew Broad | May 6, 2008 | Reply
And just where /could/ this lead? The “Sony Ericsson” WTA Tour must be very angry with Maria right now, but they wouldn’t dare to take action against her. She’s their greatest asset and they know it!
Aaress @ On the Baseline | May 6, 2008 | Reply
Wow, Pov. Apparently someone convinced (or put pressure) on the Sharapova camp to remove that article.
Andrew, the WTA Tour’s not quite as helpless as they may seem. Sharapova may be one of their biggest money-makers, but when it comes to violating outright rules that Justine, Serena, and everyone else has to follow, they will enforce them regardless of how many entries she writes on her blog.
And as Pov just pointed out, she clearly has come under pressure because the most volatile article has been removed.
Nick | May 7, 2008 | Reply
Maybe the WTA just told Sharapova they’ll never ask her to do anything that she doesn’t like and will give her a $500,000 bonus at the end of the year for ******* her off.
So now the message is gone in her Web site!
It’s Sharapova or nothing for the WTA Tour…she’s the Queen of All Media…
Take that ESPN!
Paula V. | May 7, 2008 | Reply
I think that there is power in numbers. If the players want to instigate change, they need to group together. It doesn’t matter how much money Maria makes. She is still just one person. If she threatens to boycott a tournament, or a photo shoot or whatever, the WTA will have a backup plan. If 5-10 women threaten a boycott a tournament, then the WTA will take notice.
Andrew Broad | May 7, 2008 | Reply
I’m not saying the WTA wouldn’t fine Maria. What I mean is: they wouldn’t dare to suspend her or ban her, even if she goes ahead with her threat of “giving my fans a behind-the-scenes look at life on tour” and spilling all the WTA’s dirty little secrets.