“I was just told my services were no longer needed” – When Jimmy Connors & Maria Sharapova ended their partnership at

was just told my services were no longer needed” – When Jimmy Connors & Maria Sharapova ended their partnership at Cincinnati Open after just 34 days

When Jimmy Connors & Maria Sharapova ended partnership at Cincinnati Open (Source: Getty)

Jimmy Connors and Maria Sharapova enjoyed a brief partnership, with the Russian contacting Connors for a coaching stint in 2013. However, just 34 days later, the duo went their own ways after Sharapova lost her opener at the Cincinnati Open to Sloane Stephens.

 

Speaking to the New York Times about the split later that year, Connors opened up about the abrupt end to the relationship. The former World No. 1 wished Sharapova all the best for the future, revealing that he was simply told by her team that his services were no longer required.

 

Regardless, the American icon harbored no ill feelings against his former protege, stating that it was important for a player to do what was best for them at the end of the day.

 

“I was just told my services were no longer needed. I wish her all the best, and I’ll always be a fan. Whenever this happens, it’s mutual. It’s her decision for sure. She’s the player, not me,” Jimmy Connors said.

“You’ve just got to do what you think is the best for you, and basically she made that decision. To go out there and grind it out, you’ve got to be good, you have to be healthy, in all ways — mentally, physically and tenniswise. And if there is something that interferes with that, then you have to make a change,” Connors said.

Sharapova went on to withdraw from the US Open soon after, citing a right shoulder injury. She then hired Sven Groeneveld as her coach and stuck with the Dutchman for five years un

til 2018.