SportsMaria Sharapova TennisSports Fails

Jimmy Connors Fired As Maria Sharapova's Coach After 1 Loss, Drinks A Vodka On Rocks

Sharapova Fires Tennis Legend After 1 Loss
By 

Sports Editor, The Huffington Post

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CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 13: Jimmy Connors coaches Maria Sharapova of Russia as she plays Sloane Stephens during the Western & Southern Open on August 13, 2013 at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Maria Sharapova and Jimmy Connors were apparently not particularly mindful of the motto on the flag of Cincinnati while in town for the Western & Southern Open.

"Strength in unity"

Shortly after the 26-year-old Russian tennis star was upset by Sloane Stephens in the first round on Thursday, she fired Connors, as first reported by The Times of London. The eight-time Grand Slam winner had been her coach for just 34 days and one match, according to ESPN.

After Sharapova's come-from-ahead 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 defeat to Stephens, Connors seemed to think that they were just getting started.

Apparently, Sharapova did not see things the same way.

"It’s not the right fit for this time in my career," Sharapova said in a statement emailed to TENNIS.com that confirmed the firing.

Connors next message on Twitter suggested that he handled the dismissal well -- and with a stiff drink.

Sharapova hired Connors in July following a second-round exit from Wimbledon. The 2004 Wimbledon champ was ousted by Michelle Larcher de Brito of Portugal and had not participated in a tournament until arriving in Cincinnati.

PHOTOS: Sharapova vs. Stephens
Maria Sharapova(01 of16)
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Maria Sharapova, from Russia, serves during a match against Sloane Stephens, from the United States, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Maria Sharapova(02 of16)
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Maria Sharapova, from Russia, reacts while losing in an upset to Sloane Stephens, from the United States, in a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Sloane Stephens(03 of16)
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Sloane Stephens, from the United States, upset third seed Maria Sharapova, from Russia in a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Jimmy Connors(04 of16)
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Jimmy Connors, coaching Maria Sharapova, from Russia, for the first time looks on in her loss to Sloane Stephens, from the United States, in a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Sloane Stephens(05 of16)
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Sloane Stephens, from the United States, upset third seed Maria Sharapova, from Russia in a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Maria Sharapova(06 of16)
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Maria Sharapova, from Russia, drinks from a water bottle during a match against Sloane Stephens, from the United States, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Sloane Stephens(07 of16)
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Sloane Stephens, from the United States, upset third seed Maria Sharapova, from Russia in a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Sloane Stephens(08 of16)
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Sloane Stephens, from the United States, returns the ball during a match against Maria Sharapova, from Russia, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Sloane Stephens(09 of16)
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Sloane Stephens, from the United States, upset third seed Maria Sharapova, from Russia in a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Sloane Stephens(10 of16)
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Sloane Stephens, from the United States, reaches to return the ball during a match against Maria Sharapova, from Russia, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Maria Sharapova(11 of16)
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Maria Sharapova, from Russia, serves during a match against Sloane Stephens, from the United States, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Sloane Stephens(12 of16)
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Sloane Stephens, from the United States, pauses between serves during a match against Maria Sharapova, from Russia, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Sloane Stephens(13 of16)
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Sloane Stephens, from the United States, serves during a match against Maria Sharapova, from Russia, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Maria Sharapova(14 of16)
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Maria Sharapova, from Russia, hits a return during a match against Sloane Stephens, from the United States, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Maria Sharapova(15 of16)
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Maria Sharapova, from Russia, serves during a match against Sloane Stephens, from the United States, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)
Maria Sharapova(16 of16)
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Maria Sharapova, from Russia, hits the ball during a match against Sloane Stephens, from the United States, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/Michael E. Keating) (credit:AP)

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