Sharapova changes name to Sugarpova

Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova plans to temporarily change her surname to ‘Sugarpova’ to promote her confectionery company, the media reported last Tuesday.

Sharapova has lodged an enquiry with the Supreme Court of Florida over a name change during the forthcoming US Open, which would then be changed back after the tournament concludes.

Aside from completing compulsory legal procedures, this 26-year-old tennis player from Russia also needs a permit from the organizers of US Open to have her new surname used in the draw for the tournament.

Sharapova founded the Sugarpova company in 2012, investing USD 500,000 in it. The company produces sweets of various flavors, which come with labels such as ‘flirty’, ‘sassy’ and ‘smitten’.

According to the Forbes list, Sharapova is the current richest female athlete in the world. She earned USD 29 million in the period June 2012-June 2013.