- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 04:18 05:38 12:19 15:45 18:54 20:13
(Reuters/Bang)
Forget their on-court rivalry. They will be back shortly at Wimbledon and providing us with some of the greatest women’s tennis in recent years.
For a brief period there was Andre Agassi with Brooke Shields, Liz Taylor and a few others in the stands for him, but then for the most part tennis got too hard for players to do anything but play. On court that is.
There are the Martina Hingis 'Black Widow' rumours – but, let’s not digress.
The gloves are off and Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova are having a cat fight out in the open. At the heart of it is a man ‘involved’ in their lives – personally or professionally.
So how do you pick a winner in this one? Let’s match ‘em up. Game on.
New balls please. Sharapova to serve
(Reuters)
Bitchiest Comment Yet
In a conference ahead of this week’s Wimbledon Championships, Sharapova served the opening salvo.
“If Serena wants to talk about something personal, she should talk about her relationship and her boyfriend who was married, who is getting a divorce and who has kids – and not draw attention to other things.”
What was she on about?
These comments by Serena.
Williams told an interview in America that Sharapova was ‘boring’.
Then she is quoted as saying, “She begins every interview with, ‘I’m so happy. I’m so lucky’. It’s so boring. She’s still not going to be invited to the cool parties. And hey, if she wants to be with the guy with a black heart [Dimitrov], go for it.”
15-0, Sharapova
Grigor Gimitrov & Maria Sharapova
Guys, guys, guys…
So, who are the men at the heart of the battle.
Sharapova is talking about Serena’s relationship with married tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Serena Williams and Patrick Mouratoglou
And Serena’s ‘black heart’ man refers to Grigor Dimitrov – who Sharapova is dating. Wait for it… he is Serena’s ex-boyfriend.
30-0, Sharapova
(Reuters)
Fashion, style and the look
Both Sharapova and Williams are fashionistas in their own right. On and off the court. Their outfits for each Slam are as eagerly awaited as their intense on-court clashes.
Both are not shy about getting out there, dressed-up and posing.
In fact, Sharapova has recently launched her own fashion brand.
40-0, Sharapova
(Reuters)
On court, off court
In those terms, Williams is likely to be seen as the ‘unfair’ aggressor – remember her threat to kill a lineswoman after a bad call.
But, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova are now providing the tennis, gossip and entertainment world’s with some of the juiciest off-court action not seen since Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe were stomping about and Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova had the women’s section dominated.
Sharapova is much more the “darling of the press”, even though on court though Williams on her current form rules.
Game, Sharapova
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