Tips are tops for golden couple Sharapova, Dimitrov

Maria Sharapova and Grigor Dimitrov, the golden couple of tennis, share tips in private but try to keep things professional as they travel the world on tour, they said Wednesday.

In a curious feat of scheduling, Sharapova played immediately after Dimitrov on Wimbledon's Court Two on Wednesday, giving 4,000 tennis fans the chance to compare directly the styles of the world's highest-earning sportswoman and her up-and-coming boyfriend.

Both cruised through to the third round in straight sets, after which Dimitrov, 24, revealed how good it was having the more experienced Sharapova around.

"It's always good when you have a Grand Slam champion on your side. Obviously it helps out. You never know. One tip can change everything for you, one sentence," the Bulgarian world number 11 said.

"It's always good to have that on your side. Of course it's a plus, appreciating advice and anything that comes out from her."

But when pressed on the 28-year-old's words of wisdom, he said: "I'd rather keep that private."

Sharapova said: "We're quite professional in what we do."

"We try to separate our match times and go about our business as we would in any other careers, respect each other very much. When we're out here, we're doing our job and trying to do the best we can."

Dimitrov beat Steve Johnson of the United States 7-6 (10/8), 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) to set up a third round clash with French number 21 seed Richard Gasquet.

Sharapova then outclassed Dutch qualifier Richel Hogenkamp, the 2004 Wimbledon winner breezing into the last 32 with a 6-3, 6-1 win over the world number 123.

The five-time Grand Slam champion faces Romanian 29th seed Irina-Camelia Begu in the round of 32.
Dimitrov said he would have enjoyed watching his girlfriend's match, but the timing was all wrong.

"I would love to, but I've got to take care of my body," said last year's semi-finalist.

"There is a lot of things I need to do before that. And she finished quite fast."

Sharapova did manage to watch some of her boyfriend's match, though.

I actually watch a little bit of all the matches, especially the matches beforehand, before my match," the Russian said.

"Since he was playing on my court, I like to see what the conditions are, how the court is playing. I don't shy away from that."
Source: AFP