Sharapova hires Connors as coach

Maria Sharapova has hired Jimmy Connors as her new coach. A day after announcing she was parting with Thomas Hogstedt, Sharapova posted on her website Saturday that she would work with the eight-time major champion. Connors coached Andy Roddick for two years before resigning in 2008. He briefly worked with Sharapova before the 2008 Australian Open. Hogstedt coached Sharapova for nearly three years. She said Friday he wouldn’t be able to travel in the near future and they agreed she should find a new coach. The second-ranked Sharapova was upset in the second round at Wimbledon this year. “I am really excited about our new partnership and looking forward to the upcoming tournaments,” she said.

Associated Press