NEW: Tennis Hall of Fame Refuses to Cut Ties with Sharapova
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NEW: Tennis Hall of Fame Refuses to Cut Ties with Sharapova
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Multiple sponsors including Nike, Porsche and TAG Heuer suspended or dropped Sharapova after she admitted to failing the drug test. The Tennis Hall of Fame -- who characterized Sharapova's Sugarpova as a "sponsor and underwriter" at the launch of the partnership which includes giving free admission to children to the museum -- refused to take position.
"We are declining to comment," said Ann Marie McLaughlin on Wednesday.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHead, Sharapova's tennis racket supplier, has continued its sponsorship of her.
She has since been provisionally banned from playing tennis by the International Tennis Federation and was also suspended by the United Nations where she worked as a goodwill ambassador.
Close Relationship
The relationship between Sharapova and the Hall of Fame made Sharapova an official sponsor and underwriter of the Hall of Fame's Kids Free Program.
"We are delighted and grateful to welcome Sugarpova as an official sponsor of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. Maria is an extraordinary role model within the sport, and we appreciate her commitment toward our mission to inspire young people to get involved in tennis. The museum is an exciting place where families and children of all ages can explore the game's rich history in an educational and entertaining way. By offering free admission to children we hope they will be inspired by the game's traditions and become life-long players and fans," said Mark L. Stenning, then-CEO of Hall of Fame in 2014. Stenning was replaced by former pro tennis player Todd Martin in 2015.
A portion of sales from Sugarpova went to support the Maria Sharapova Foundation.
Sharapova's Fall From Grace
In 2015, Forbes listed Sharapova's net worth as $29.7 million, making her the highest earning female athlete in the world. Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one player.
On March 7, 2016, Sharapova admitted to testing positive, during the Australian Open, for the banned substance meldonium, a legal drug prescribed to treat heart conditions. Sharapova called taking the banned substance "a huge mistake."
Tennis Hall of Fame: Final Day Action
Rajeev Ram, repeated his 2009 run to the cup. He defeated a big serving Ivo Karlovic
Brett Haber informs Rajeev Ram he has jumped to 86 in the ATP rankings and is in to the US Open
A gracious yet determined Karlovic says he will be back!
Each year in July the USTA honors 2 tennis players with the Bill Talbert Sportsmanship Award. This year Star Makarome age 18 of Wesley Chapel, Florida was at the Hall of fame to collect her award Star will be attending Columbia University i the fall. Star was honored for her outstanding sportsmanship on and off the court. She was presented her plate by Hall of Famers Donald Dell and Stan Smith.
Presented annually by the Board of Directors of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the four recipients are selected from the 17 sectional nominations of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Awards Committee.
Each award winner must be a junior player who exemplifies the finest qualities of sportsmanship in tournament play as well as one who maintains the finest traditions of the great sportsmen/women of tennis, past and present. The award is given in honor of 1967 Hall of Famer Bill Talbert, who was highly regarded for his high standards of sportsmanship.
Contributor Nancy Jeffet, President Emeritus of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Foundation
