Maria Sharapova Changes Name To 'Sugarpova' For U.S. Open?

Maria Sharapova is considering changing her name to Maria Sugarpova for the two weeks of the US Open, which begins next Monday.

According to the Telegraph, the Russian tennis ace is planning to cash in on her Sugapova line of sweets.

The 26-year-old and her management team, IMG, are understood to have asked for the name change through the Supreme Court of Florida, with the intention of reverting back to her original name once the tournament ends.

It's also believe that Sharapova intends to wear the logo of her firm - a pair of red lips - on her outfit during the company.

All of this is fine if she reaches the latter stages of the competition, or even wins it, but getting knocked out in the first or second round would be disastrous.

Her sweet range consists of gummy lips, handbags, sunglasses and high heels.

The bizarre news comes just days after Sharapova - the world No.3 sacked her coach Jimmy Connors after just one match. Her agent Max Eisenbud explained that Connors - the winner of eight grand slam titles - "was not the right fit at this stage of her career."

Sharapova was knocked out in the second round of Wimbledon to the unheralded Michelle Larcher de Brito. She has struggled to find form since winning the French Open, though maybe Sugarpova will find its name onto the US Open trophy in a couple of weeks?

Maria Sharapova Launching Her 'Sugarpova' Sweets At Selfridge's