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Rod -Sharapova rumors swirl Down Under
There's a buzz coming out of the Australian Open that two of tennis' superstars, who also happen to be two of the sport's top head-turners, might be a couple.
The Melbourne Herald-Sun newspaper reported that Maria Sharapova, 18, has been spending a lot of time with Andy Rod , 23, suggesting there might be a budding romance between the two.
The Herald-Sun reported Sharapova left the IMG player party early Sunday night to go watch Rod play poker in a casino's exclusive gambling rooms.
Sharapova also saw him play cards on Saturday and Wednesday nights, leading to more speculation that the couple is more than just friends.
On the court, Rod , a winner of 20 tournaments in his career, including the 2003 U.S. Open, had little trouble in his first match Monday. Rod , the second seed, rolled past Switzerland's Michael Lammer 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
Sharapova, who is seeded fourth and battling a shoulder injury, opened with an easy win over Sandra Kloesel of Germany.
Sharapova, who won her first Grand Slam le at age 17 in 2004 and rose to No. 1 in the rankings for two short periods last year, traveled to Melbourne unsure if she'd be fit enough to play in the season's first major.
After months of pain, the Russian star said doctors had identified that her problem stemmed from a dislocated rib, not a pectoral muscle problem.
Andy Rod and Maria Sharapova seen together at an ESPY pre-party last July. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
"It's not 100 percent. I wouldn't say it's at the top level. But at least I know the cause of the problem," Sharapova said last Thursday. "The good thing is, the doctors have told me it can't get any worse.
"As long as I know I can't hurt it any more, I'm going to have to suck it up and do the best I can."
Sharapova became the darling of the WTA Tour after her breakthrough win at Wimbledon, as much for her model looks as for her tennis.
Sharapova was the only woman to make the semifinals at three of the four majors last season and went down to the eventual champion at all four Grand Slam events. But she wants to go one better at least once in 2006.
Asked who the favorite should be this week, Sharapova said she didn't want to give her rivals a boost by nominating anyone.
"If you want my confidence to be up, I have to say myself," she said.
Rod said he had more motivation than most to perform at Melbourne Park, after a shocking first-round exit at the U.S. Open on his 23rd birthday last Aug. 30.
"The U.S. Open was probably the biggest disappointment I've ever had in tennis and that put a bit of a sour note on the year," he said. "That was a downer, but it was a big learning experience - maybe that loss was actually a little bit of a blessing in disguise."
He's already at the top of his game.
