Maria Sharapova And BF Grigor Dimitrov Arrive In Brisbane
Maria Sharapova and Boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov chose to spend their Christmas in Brisbane.
"Merry Christmas everyone," Sharapova posted on her official Facebook wall, along with a picture of her wearing a Santa hat.
Sharapova and Dimitrov arrived in the third most populous city in Australia Dec. 25. The Russian tennis hottie has reportedly took off from Los Angeles on the same trip as Dimitrov, as reported by News.com.au.
Sharapova, who was one of the highest-earning tennis athletes as ranked by Forbes, was also accompanied by her team of staffers.
The 26-year-old athlete will play her first appearance in the tournament set in Queensland Tennis Centre from Dec. 29 to Jan. 5. Her Bulgarian boyfriend Dimitrov, who was a runner-up in the 2013 Brisbane International, will also compete and join the likes of Roger Federer, Marin Cilic, Lleyton Hewitt, Kei Nishikori and more.
Sharapova is the third seed for the women's event, which will also feature defending champion Serena Williams, World No. 2 Victoria Azarenka, Jelena Jankovic, Caroline Wozniacki and other great rising tennis talents.
Sharapova, who currently ranks fourth in the world, was all smiles to the media that greeted her at Brisbane airport on Christmas day. She told the media that her recovery program and training went "very well" so she should all be set to compete. She has high hopes that she will be prepared and gear up for the tennis tournament after her shoulder injury. Sharapova has not played since August due to her injury.
The 2014 Brisbane International will be the first major tournament that she will compete after playing a single match in Colombia earlier this month. It will also be her first tournament with new coach Sven Groeveneld after firing former coach Jimmy Connors after one tournament during her wearisome 2013 season.
Aside from Sharapova and Dimitrov, Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka have also arrived in Brisbane over the weekend.
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