Sharapova separates from coach Groeneveld

Maria Sharapova has announced that she will no longer work with coach Sven Groeneveld.

The pair worked together for four years, through the highs of Sharapova’s most recent Grand Slam triumph at Roland Garros in 2014 and the lows of her 15-month doping suspension, which ended in April 2017.

“I would like to thank Sven for his incredible loyalty, work ethic and most importantly the friendship that we have formed that will go beyond this working partnership,” Sharapova said in a statement.

“I have been incredibly fortunate to have a team leader like him in my corner for the past four years.”

Coaching news: amid a string of disappointing results, Maria Sharapova has split with longtime coach Sven Groeneveld.

Statements from each: pic.twitter.com/2whuJHZB5E

— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 9, 2018

Groeneveld said: “Maria has been one of the most hardworking and professional players I have ever worked with. Her strength and fighting spirit will continue to be a force to reckon with and I have the deepest respect for her as a player and person.”

Sharapova has struggled since returning to tennis almost a year ago following her ban.

Despite winning a title in Tianjin, she is yet to return to the top 40 and is currently on a three-match losing streak.

Last year, she was not awarded a wildcard to compete at Roland Garros and forced to skip Wimbledon with injury – physical problems have plagued her in her comeback.

She advanced to the fourth round at the US Open and in January reached the third round at Melbourne Park.

“I’ve been working through a few physical things and that’s been frustrating, because there’s been a lot of starts and stops since I’ve come back,” Sharapova said after her first-round loss to Naomi Osaka in Indian Wells.

“That hasn’t really given me the type of match rhythm that I really wanted.

“I need some time. I’ve done it before. It’s part of the process – I realise that.”