Maria Sharapova’s new coach: Sven Groeneveld

Russian tennis superstar Maria Sharapova has reportedly hired Sven Groeneveld as her new coach. Sharapova split from former coach Thomas Hogstedt in July this year and she had a brief partnership with Jimmy Connors which lasted less than a week.

Hogstedt is now the new coach of former top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark.

Groeneveld has an impressive resume. He’s headed the Adidas Player Development Program for more than five years. He was also the coach by Ana Ivanovic back then when the Serbian made her fantastic run to her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2008 French Open. Groeneveld also worked with Laura Robson, Caroline Wozniacki, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Sorana Cirstea, Fernando Verdasco and Andy Murray.

Sharapova missed the rest of the season after her opening round loss to Sloane Stephens in Cincinnati. She’s currently rehabilitating her shoulder and is expected to make a return on tour at the Brisbane International which begins at the end of December 2013.