Sharapova condemns the lack of respect for women tennis, citing Coco Gauff as an example.

Former tennis star Maria Sharapova has slammed the state of women’s tennis as she claimed there wasn’t enough marketing or prize money. The retired champion said it was an issue that no one knew where Coco Gauff was playing after winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.

Sharapova officially hung up her racket in 2020 but has continued to involve herself in tennis, sharing her views on the sport and attending tournaments like the recent US Open. The former world No 1 was in the stands to watch Gauff lift her first Major trophy and tipped the American to transcend the sport.

It meant that the 36-year-old wasn’t happy when she saw a lack of promotion around Gauff’s next tournament as the American recently competed at the China Open in Beijing where she reached the semi-final before losing to Iga Swiatek.

Speaking at a Bloomberg conference, Sharapova was asked what tennis needed to do to grow as a business and it was Gauff who came to mind.

“I mean it’s a loaded question. There are a lot of options and roads. I mean look… let’s start with the fact you had Ted on the stage and I was listening to his talk on my way here and he spoke about engagement and the importance of engagement,” the five-time Grand Slam champion started.

“You had Coco Gauff just winning her first Major at the US Open in New York City. I mean the crowd, the bridging culture, sport, fashion, all at that moment. Two weeks later, three weeks later… How many people know that she’s playing a tournament in Beijing?”

With the four Grand Slam tournaments all attracting larger audiences compared to the year-round tour events, Sharapova explained that it was an issue not to tell US Open viewers where they could see Gauff in action next. The Russian star continued: “She got to the semi-finals and lost but I’m sure 99 percent of

the audience at the US Open had no idea where she was playing next. Right away that’s off the bat, that’s a problem.”