Maria Sharapova is launching a new tennis exhibition that will take place Dec. 12-13 at the UCLA Tennis Center and include men's, women's and legend's singles events, as well as mixed doubles and celebrity doubles matches. The event, called Maria Sharapova & Friends, will include current players Kei Nishikori and Madison Keys, former players Andy Roddick and Michael Chang, and celebs such as Chelsea Handler and Karlie Kloss. Porsche will serve as presenting sponsor of the event, while Tag Heuer and Nike will also be sponsors. It will air on Tennis Channel (IMG). In L.A., Nathan Fenno writes Sharapova sees an "opportunity to reconnect the country's second-largest media market with the sport and, in the process, allow fans to get to know the personalities of high-end players as well as witness what they're capable of on the court." Sharapova is "taking an active role in planning the event," including arranging DJs to "play music between points and selecting gifts such as customized bicycles and Porsche-designed luggage for participants" (L.A. TIMES, 8/24). The AP's Howard Fendrich notes Sharapova "aims to make this a regular offseason happening, a month or so before the Grand Slam season starts." She "intends to play as if something significant is at stake -- and she hopes others do the same." Sharapova: "I wanted to create a format in which all the players are getting ready for a big tournament -- the Australian Open -- and they're ready to go out and compete. And I wanted to make this ... (have) a serious style." She said L.A. is "just a great sporting community, but not with a lot of tennis going on" (AP, 8/24).
