Sharapova, WTA Quarrel Over Tour-Mandated Photo Shoot
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Sharapova Feuding With WTA Over
Upcoming Commercial Shoot In Rome |
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour and Maria Sharapova are "seriously butting heads" over an upcoming commercial shoot in Rome in a "move that already caused damage to their relationship," according to Matthew Cronin of TENNISREPORTERS.net. The WTA has "asked Sharapova and the other top players to take part in a WTA publicity shoot" around the start of the May 12 Italian Open as part of its "new massive global marketing campaign, which will include broadcast and print elements." Sharapova claims the shoot "could take up to five hours," while the tour claims it "might only take two-and-a-half hours." The WTA is "threatening [Sharapova] with a $700,000 fine if she doesn't participate." Because Sharapova does not wear a WTA patch on her clothing, her fine for "not doing a tour promotional gig goes up $400,000 from the normal $300,000." Sharapova: "The tour does not care what any of the players think, not just top players. ... I want people to understand that I took this action because this is one in a long list of things that the tour has ignored the players. This is not about just one shoot. I just could not just sit back anymore." Sharapova said that she was given "less than two weeks notice about the shoot." Sharapova: "Do you think the NBA would ask their top players to do a five-hour shoot the day before a playoff game?" Sharapova is considering "taking legal action against the WTA and may attempt to recruit other top players to boycott the shoot." WTA VP/Business Affairs Andrew Walker said of the shoot, "It's important for women's tennis and, while we are sensitive to the demands of the tournament on our players, they've known about it for some time. It's in the rules" (TENNISREPORTERS.net, 5/2). Sharapova: "I would love to do this and help promote the tour as much as possible. But to force me to do this shoot the day before a Tier I tournament is just not right" (ESPN.com, 5/2).
ELECTRONIC VOLLEY: Sharapova, on her Web site, posted a poll asking fans what they think she should do regarding the photo shoot. She wrote the WTA Tour "want[s] me to do this shoot on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday of the Rome tournament after flying 12 hours from LA. I have set my own personal rules when [it] comes to doing shoots and I never do shoots before tournaments because they are mentally draining and I want to just focus on my tennis. Now the WTA is telling me if I don't do this shoot they will fine me over $300,000. As you can see the WTA Tour loves to fine players. To be honest, I would love to do this and help promote the tour as much as possible, but to force me to do this shoot the day before a tier 1 tournament is just not right. I am interested in what my fans think I should do?" (mariasharapova.com, 5/2). In Toronto, Tom Tebbutt writes "Sharapova's using her website as a tool to get out her side of the story is yet another example of the diversity of the Internet and its applications to tennis. Many enthusiasts who have long relied on it as a primary information source now use it to watch live matches" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 5/5).
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