Tennis News

LOS ANGELES, CA, USA – Maria Sharapova and friends lit up Centre Court at the UCLA Tennis Center on Day 1 of aptly-named exhibition event Maria Sharapova & Friends, presented by Porsche.

The highlight of the day was the hostess herself, Sharapova, taking on American rising star Madison Keys – and the five-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 squeaked by, 6-7, 6-1, 11-9.

Sharapova spoke about how excited she was about the new exhibition event. “I’ve been coming here to practice for so many years and felt part of the community here,” she explained. “I wanted to give the tennis fans in Los Angeles something back and support professional tennis in the United States.”

Elsewhere, Mardy Fish outlasted Andy Roddick in a men’s singles match, 7-6, 4-6, 12-10, Keys and Fish beat Roddick and Laura Robson in mixed doubles, 6-4, and, in a celebrity mixed doubles match, the all-female team of Sharapova and Chelsea Handler outdid all-male team Roddick and Will Arnett.

And that’s not all – Sunday’s schedule sees Sloane Stephens face Shelby Rogers, Kei Nishikori play Jack Sock, Sharapova and Nishikori play Robson and Sock, and Sharapova and Handler play another celebrity mixed doubles match. Find out where you can watch it all live on the Tennis Channel.

A part of the proceeds from the weekend will go to the Maria Sharapova Foundation – read more here.

And here are some of the best photos from Maria Sharapova & Friends, all courtesy of Porsche:

LOS ANGELES, CA, USA – Madison Keys says the decision to end her partnership with coach Lindsay Davenport was driven by her need for a full-time coach who could commit to tennis’ grueling week-by-week schedule.

Speaking ahead of her appearance at the Maria Sharapova & Friends exhibition on the campus of UCLA on Saturday, Keys confirmed the split was a mutual one.

“I got to a point where at this point of my career I wanted someone to be able to be there every single day and be there at the tournaments,” Keys told WTA Insider. “Lindsay was obviously such a huge help last year. We did so much and she helped me so much. We just kind of went as far as we could. We’re still close and we still talk.”

Davenport’s coaching role grew out of an off-season training block that evolved into something more. But given her family commitments as well as her commentating duties, the three-time Slam champion could not travel with Keys full-time. Had she been able to, Keys said they would still be working together.

“It wasn’t like we had some big blow out fight and we hate each other,” Keys said. “That’s not the case. Obviously we want to still work with each other. She just has so much. Our tennis travel is insane. A mother of one wouldn’t be able to do it. A mother of four who has commentating and all of the other stuff? It just became a lot.”

Keys will go into the 2016 season with former ATP pro Jesse Levine as her full-time coach. Levine reached a career-high ranking of No.69 in 2012 and the two have known each other for years from training at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida. The idea for the partnership came from Keys’ agent Max Eisenbud, who used to represent the Canadian.

“He had to flatten out his forehand for me because my arm is going to fall off,” Keys said, laughing. “I can’t hit above my head like Rafa. I’m like, ‘Please stop. I’m not a dude. My arms will fall off my body.'”

As for Davenport, she may not be in Keys’ coaching box, but she’ll always be in her corner. “She’s always said if you ever need anything call me, let me know,” Keys said. “Always there for you.”