Maria Sharapova Engaged To Alexander Gilkes

Maria Sharapova announced on IG that she is engaged to her boyfriend Alexander Gilkes. Gilkes has royal connections – he attended Eton College with Prince William and remains friends with him. His brother, Charlie, once dated Pippa Middleton, sister of Duchess Catherine.

Gilkes was the founder of the auction house Paddle8 which specializes in art and collectibles. He sold the company in 2018 to The Native. In 2020, he founded Squared Circles with Lukas Derksen. The company invests in sustainable businesses that promise a better future. 

Gilkes was previously married to fashion designer Misha Nonoo but the couple divorced in 2017.

Sharapova retired in 2020 after struggling with injury. She won five grand slam singles titles in her career. Since her retirement, Sharapova has been an entrepreneur and investor. 

Continue ReadingMaria Sharapova Engaged To Alexander Gilkes

Andy’s Reads – Early Tennis Season Schedule Confirmed, Small Tournaments Pay The Price

After a lot of negotiations, ATP has nailed down the calendar for the first two months of the year (BBC)

Jan 5 – Delray Beach /Antalya, Turkey
Jan 10 – Australian Open qualifying event in Doha, Qatar
Jan 31 – Two tournaments in Melbourne (including relocated Adelaide tournament)
Feb 1-5 – Shortened ATP Cup ( 12 teams)
Australian Open – Feb 8

As tennis does everything to ensure the Australian Open goes ahead, smaller tournaments get canceled. India’s only ATP event, the Maharashtra Open, is canceled, though there is some hope that the event will happen later in the year. (Olympic Channel)

Andy Murray will participate in the third Battle of the Brits event organized by his brother Jamie Murray and the LTA (Daily Mail)

Up and coming American Brandon Nakashima hopes to break through in 2021 (Tennis.com)

Sania Mirza is back on the court practicing as she takes aim at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (Mumbai Mirror)

Tennis is booming in the COVID-19 era. It’s a sport that can be played safely with social distancing.  Racquet sales are up more than 40%. (CBS)

Continue ReadingAndy’s Reads – Early Tennis Season Schedule Confirmed, Small Tournaments Pay The Price