THE LOW DOWN: Sharapova opens Pandora's Box, but WTA Tour reaches compromise anyway

Maria "Shriek"apova and the thugs of the WTA Tour are finally playing nice after the Russian publicly blasted the Tour and its executives through her website, reaching a compromise that both sides can feel happy about...well, mostly Maria that is.

The photo shoot in question was reduced to 90 minutes from 5 to 6 hours, with Maria talking on the phone while taking a ride around Rome:

I was riding around in a car for an hour talking—pretending like I’m talking on the phone. The timing compromise was still pretty difficult since it’s before a very big event for all of us. Considering the time reduction, it definitely makes that a lot easier than going into a four- or five-hour shoot with hair and makeup, which adds another hour.

And did the new world no. 2 find her bullying tactics to be a success? "I’ve obviously made my point," said the 21-year old. "I wanted to let my fans know that I didn’t feel like people were listening to me. I think it’s in the best interest of the tour.”

Yes, the tour must be thrilled that you opened a Pandora's Box - good times!

(image via AP)

THE LOW DOWN: Sharapova vs. WTA Tour, Part Deux

The intriguing battle royale between Maria Sharapova and the WTA Tour continues...

Doing her best impression of a savvy poitician (Hillary or Barack?), the Russian seems committed to firing up her base through her blog now that she's realized the power and accessibility of new media, even blasting the diva-esque behavior of some 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. 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.

I have tried to work with them, 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! I also want to thank everyone for voting...the number of people voting was way beyond our expectations.

The ballsy Maria is so confident about her stance, she even admits trying to fake a reason for pulling out of Berlin (so as to not get fined):

I got a really bad viral infection with a big fever and that I have to get on antibiotics...how original! I know I'm always against those things, but I kind of had no other choice because I haven't been that sick in a while. Quite ironic, as a few days before that I was trying to come up with some 'excuse' for pulling out of Berlin...

Forcing ballers into lying? Take that WTA Tour! But it seems Maria has one more surprise for us:

There is also one other thing that I am soo excited to report but have to keep my mouth shut...you just have to wait a couple weeks. xx Maria

What could that be - retirement, pregnancy, marrying secret love Nole??? Oh, you're such a tease Masha.

(image via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Shady WTA Tour tries to muscle Sharapova, Russian pleads for help

I had no idea the WTA Tour was like something out of The Sopranos or in this case the Russian mob.

Maria "Shriek"apova has lifted the veil on some of the startlingly shady policies by the WTA Tour, and how the Tour is trying to muscle the Russian into paying their mortgage. But the always savvy Maria issued statements on her website and, in an unsual move, asked her fans to give her advice on her forum:

As many of you know, the WTA tour makes many players enter tournaments that they know the players will not be playing. I informed the WTA several months ago that if I played Charleston, I would have to pull out of Berlin. Now they are forcing me to give an injury for the reason why I am pulling out or they will give me an additional fine on top of the 125,000 fine already given to me. I am a very giving person, but I refuse to give anymore of my money to the WTA tour. So I want everyone to know that besides getting sick the past few days, I am healthy and I am looking forward to playing Rome. The good news is that the new road map for next year should solve all these problems.

I want all my fans to know that the WTA Tour is forcing me and several of the other top players to do a 4 hour commercial shoot for WTA Tour marketing materials. They want me to do this shoot on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday of the Rome tournament after flying 12 hours from LA. I have set my own personal rules when it comes to doing shoots and I never do shoots before tournaments because they are mentally draining and I want to just focus on my tennis. Now the WTA is telling me if I don't do this shoot they will fine me over $300,000. As you can see the WTA Tour loves to fine players. To be honest, I would love to do this and help promote the tour as much as possible, but to force me to do this shoot the day before a tier 1 tournament is just not right. I am interested in what my fans think I should do?

1) Should I just do the shoot?

2) Should I NOT do the shoot and take the fine?

3) Should I NOT do the shoot and take legal action against the WTA?

4) Should I contact the other top players and try to boycott the shoot?

5) Other To voice your opinion go to the forum by clicking here.

Wow! I'd hate to run into the WTA Tour administrators in a dark alley - very scary. What's also very scary? Asking your fans what to do with your money.

(image via Getty)

Berlin loses two top 'ovas, glamour quotient takes nosedive

Maria "Shriek"apova + Daniela Hantuchova have pulled out of next week's German Open.

Maria pulled out of the Tier 1 tourney to allow her body to recover, though no other specifics were given. I'm thinking birthday party hangover. It's like any newly 21-year old cutting all of her college classes for the next week or so to recover - we've all done it (okay, maybe just me.)

Apparently Dani has a stress fracture in her right foot, which forced her to pull out of the Fed Cup World Group II play-offs as well. Bad news for Dani. Injuries are never a great thing but stress fractures, in particular, can be career threatening. Ask Monica Seles.

(image via cache.daylife.com)

PHOTO OP: It's Maria's party...and she can get blasted if she wants to (now)

Maria "Shriek"apova's NYC birthday tour ended with a big bash thrown by sponsor Tag Heuer at Tenjune. Celebrity guests included Michelle Trachtenberg and Dave Annable of ABC's Brothers & Sisters, along with designers Vera Wang, Doo.Ri, Brian Wolk and Claude Morais of Ruffian, and the original bang-er Vogue editrix Anna Wintour.

Like any newly-minted 21-year old global celebrity athlete Maria danced, drank, and shrunk everyone in her presence.







UPDATE: Check out Tennis Week's look inside the party featuring interviews with Maria and fashion friend Vera Wang.



(images via celebrity-gossip.net)

SIGHTING: Sharapova continues b-day tour, revisits bad fashion moments

Maria "Shriek"apova was spotted on her NYC birthday tour today walking (and most likely shopping) on the streets of Manhattan.

It seems the tennis fashionista combined two of her worst outfits, Hong Kong + Doha, and ended up on the wrong end of a really bad one. And I haven't even started on the ballerina flats (hint: they're over!).

(image via jezebel.com)

Sharapova's NYC birthday tour: Barney's, Letterman, + Tag Heuer

Maria "Shriek"apova is finally legal! The now 21-year old blogging Russian is celebrating with a full-fledged NYC tour - spending time with family on Saturday (her actual b-day) and doing some damage with the plastic on Sunday:

Just a quick update as a 21 year old! What a great feeling! To be honest I can't wait for someone to ask me for my ID, haha (as thats the only real perk you get right?)! I am in NY celebrating with my close ones :)...my parents were here yesterday and all my friends are slowly arriving for a big celebration on Tuesday...I'm off to the MOMA, and some shoe shopping at Barney's! Bye!

Last night, the leggy Aussie Open champ, looking stunning in a white flowy blouse, high-waisted black bubble skirt, and ridiculously high heels, visited with a flirty David Letterman who seemed taken by the stylish tennis baller (will Nole be jealous?). They talked birthday parties, clay-court tennis, and even met up for some 2-on-1 tennis with Billy Crystal on a make-shift court.

In case you missed it:



Of course, the big Tag Heuer event for Maria is tonight - do you think she'll show up looking like this?

(image via mariasharapova.com)

Sharapova explains website mishap, will celebrate b-day in NYC

Maria "Shriek"apova is on the case. The Russian fashionista sent around the following newsletter explaining why her website was down:

Dear Fans,

Many of you may have noticed that MariaSharapova.com has been down over the past few days. We had some technical difficulties, but I wanted to let everyone know that the site is now back up and running! I am so sorry for any inconvenience that this may have caused anyone. I know some of you were wondering if the site was down permanently, but I wanted to personally assure everyone that it was not. MariaSharapova.com is something I believe in deeply and I want all of my fans to keep coming back to check it out!

In fact, we have lots of fun things coming your way soon. As some of you might know, my 21st birthday is this Saturday! I'm currently down in Charleston playing in the Family Circle Cup, but I will be celebrating next week in New York City at a birthday party hosted by Tag Heuer. I'm so excited and I can't wait! I'll be posting all kinds of exclusive photos and video from the party, so be sure to come back next week to check it out.

In the meantime, you can check out my new videos from my Nike Training commercial shoot here and my new Prince Team Sharapova gold bag collection is now available...check them out in the store.

Talk to you soon!

Maria

So the bills were paid - good thing. And, she'll be here in New York to celebrate her birthday. I'll be on that one for sure!

(image via AP)

Did Maria Sharapova forget to pay her bills?

Uh-oh. Here's another possible case of a tennis baller not paying the bills.

I strolled on over to Maria "Shriek"apova's website this morning and was greeted with the screen above. Did the Russian forget to send in a payment or is she revamping and moving her site?

(image via mariasharapova.com)

THE LOW DOWN: More Nole + Maria from Miami, romance rumors hit all-time high

Well, well...

Thanks to Elaine + Mark over at my fave tennis social networking site Tennisopolis for sending me the images and video of Novak Djokovic + Maria Sharapova at Opium in Miami for the Sony Ericsson player party.

Let's set the scene: Nole + Maria arrive separately to the party and take a fun photo with Maria's Hollywood friend Camilla Belle.

Next they're photographed with Nole's arm lovingly wrapped around the Russian. Fast forward to the end of the evening - Maria + Camilla are filmed exiting Opium and getting into an SUV. As the car is about to leave, a certain someone (who looks a bit nervous to me) jumps into the backseat as the group takes off.

Click here and see for yourself.

I know they constantly dismiss the rumors that they're dating, and Nole was dating Jelena at one point. But the proof is SO in the puddin' this time baby!

(image via tennistalk.com)

FASHION FIX: Sharapova debuts Paris Tennis tank + skirt, one French Open mystery solved!

Maria "Shriek"apova made her debut at the Bausch + Lomb Championships on Amelia Island and reached the quarterfinals after fighting her way to a tight 3-set win over Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues.

The Russian fashionista also debuted the Nike Paris Tennis tank + skirt, an outfit some thought she might wear to Roland Garros. I like the femininity of the whole look and the beautiful detailing on the tank, but the color white-washes Maria. In any case, one mystery solved!

I still think she'll wear the Paris Dress in dark obsidian + chalk but based Nike's sneaky Aussie Open switch-a-roo, we can't be too sure (good luck buying your French Open fashions retailers.)

(images via AP)

VIDEO VAULT: Roger + Maria sharpen tennis skills with Nike Training

Nike has launched a new commercial and website in Hong Kong for their Nike Training program. The spot features Roger Federer and Maria "Shriek"apova in a "behind-the-scenes" look into their training practices.

Roger is shown performing leg presses, shoulder presses, and lunges with a medicine ball while Maria sharpens her footwork and eye-hand coordination by jumping rope and grabbing at tennis balls being fed to her. Fascinating.

In addition to our tennis ballers, the spot also features stars from other sports including boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, basketball player Kobe Bryant, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and hurdler Xiang Liu.

Check it out:



(video via starmometer.com)

Sharapova goes high-fashion but Pris-sy for Tag Heuer

Maria "Shriek"apova recently shot a new ad campaign for one of her many sponsors, Tag Heuer. The Russian fashionista looks high-fashion working her blunt bangs, of course, and smokey eyes.




I definitely like the direction Maria's going in, but is it me or is she starting to look like Pris from Blade Runner? Let me refresh your memory:

PHOTO OP: Nole served a bang-er sandwich at Miami player party

C'mon Nole + Maria - how are you going to stop those pesky romance rumors from spreading if you keep "bumping" into each other when you least expect it (well, more likely here at the SEO player party than anywhere else but...well...um...you know what I mean!)

And, just so you know, dragging Camilla Belle along won't work either.

(image via novak-djokovic.com)

Maria Sharapova + Lebron James join up to fight poverty

Tennis gives back: Basketball fan Maria "Shriek"apova has teamed up with superstar Lebron James for an ad campaign to fight global poverty.

The 20-year old, who is the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador, stars in the campaign that will focus on the idea of "Teaming Up Against Poverty" to reach the program's goals. The initiative will feature 50 celebrities including soccer greats Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane along with Maria and Lebron and has been shot by world-reknowned photographer Patrick Demarchelier (below).


Let's hope this ad goes over better than Lebron's recent Vogue cover with Gisele Bundchen.

(image via tennisweek.com + undp.org)

THE LOW DOWN: Nole spotted at LA Lakers game - is there more to his "friendship" with Maria?

Proof is in the puddin': Remember how I wrote about how much time Novak Djokovic and Maria "Shriek"apova had been spending together before and during last week's Pacific Life Open?

Well, I was alerted to the above shot (thanks Elaine!) of the couple playing footsies during a break at Indian Wells and just stumbled upon this Nole interview - and guess where it takes place? At the LA Lakers game this past Sunday after he captured his first Indian Wells title, and where Maria was spotted hanging out with Camilla Belle.

Do you think they knew each other would be catching the same basketball game? Crazy!

Now I REALLY need to know what his girlfriend Jelena thinks of their "friendship."

Check out the interview:



(image via tt.tenniswarehouse.com)

SIGHTING: A weary Sharapova takes in Lakers game

Thanks to DtL reader Jimmy for alerting us to a blunt-banged Maria "Shriek"apova, whose possible French Open fashions have hit the blogosphere, at the LA Lakers game this weekend with her actress-friend Camilla Belle in tow.

After losing the all-Russian semifinal at Indian Wells this weekend, the Russian announced her withdrawal from the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami citing a shoulder injury.

Could it be the near 50,000 air miles she's logged so far this year have gotten to her?

FASHION FIX: What will Maria Sharapova wear at the French Open?

Fiending fashionistas: Though we haven't even started the clay court season yet, the excitement for Maria "Shriek"apova's French Open fashion has already begun. Tennis Served Fresh posted about Nike's Paris Tennis Tank + Skirt as the likely combo.

Although I like the outfit, Maria usually leans towards dresses for the Grand Slams, so I did some research a found from the Nike Spring catalog and their site the Paris Dress in dark obsidian + chalk. This beautiful dress made from their Dri-Fit fabrication has a paneled + pleated skirt, 3-striped banding, v-neck, and a lady-like ribbon.

But, Nike pulled a switch-a-roo in Australia so I wouldn't put it them past to dress our favorite tennis fashionista in something completely different!

(images via nike.com)

SIGHTINGS: Around the grounds of Indian Wells with Nole

Gettin' some Guga: Novak Djokovic was spotted getting his practice on with the beloved Gustavo Kuerten at Indian Wells this week. The Brazilian announced he'll retire from the tour after this year's French Open, where he won the crown in 1997, 2000, and 2001.


Apparently, Guga wasn't the only one getting in on the Nole action: fellow Aussie Open champ Maria "Shriek"apova conveniently booked a practice court next to the Serb:


Hmmm - after sharing the court at the recent Desert Smash Charity Celebrity Tennis event, the two seem to be enjoying each other's company again (remember those pesky romance rumors after last season's US Open?).

I wonder what his girlfriend Jelena thinks about their friendship....

(images via novak-djokovic.com)

FASHION FIX: Sharapova stays undefeated, has unfortunate "skort" moment

Picture perfect: Maria "Shriek"apova, who was recently called out by Martina Navratilova for her grunting ways, couldn't have asked for a better start to the season. The Russian is undefeated in 15 matches this year, adding Stephanie Cohen-Aloro to her list of victims with a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing at the Pacific Life Open yesterday.

The tennis fashionista's game may be on fire, but her outfit was pretty tame by Maria's standards. The 20-year old apppeared on-court working Nike's white Aussie Fauna tank + skort.

The outfit is pretty bland and boring - couldn't she have worn the logan berry with bright fuscia skirt to add contrast? What I really can't get over, though, is the skort moment - I can't even stand the idea of a skort. It's like a "spork", the spoon-fork combo. I just don't get it.

(image via AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)