Sharapova's Coach Formerly Worked with Li Na
Thomas Hogstedt, who started working with Maria Sharapova in November, 2010, alongside Maria’s long-time coach, Michael Joyce, become her sole coach prior to the 2011 Australian Open. Since then, Sharapova has battled an injury and illness with rather
unimpressive results until she won the Italian Open just prior to the start of Roland Garros. That major clay court tournament win pushed Sharapova into the long list of “favorites” to win the French Open title this year. Sharapova is now in the semis where she will face Li Na, who used to work with Thomas Hogstedt. In the past, Hogstedt, a former Tour player from Sweden, also worked with Tommy Haas.
There are many coaches who have worked with multiple players over the years. Therefore, it’s always interesting when a player faces another player, who was previously coached by his/her current coach. In the women’s semifinal encounter between Sharapova and Na, the match will ultimately be about execution. Nonetheless, it can’t hurt Sharapova that Hogstedt is familiar with Li Na’s playing patterns, weaknesses, etc. Sharapova leads their head-to-head rivalry 5-2, but Na won their past two matches on grass although Sharapova won their only encounter on clay at Roland Garros in 2009.
There are many coaches who have worked with multiple players over the years. Therefore, it’s always interesting when a player faces another player, who was previously coached by his/her current coach. In the women’s semifinal encounter between Sharapova and Na, the match will ultimately be about execution. Nonetheless, it can’t hurt Sharapova that Hogstedt is familiar with Li Na’s playing patterns, weaknesses, etc. Sharapova leads their head-to-head rivalry 5-2, but Na won their past two matches on grass although Sharapova won their only encounter on clay at Roland Garros in 2009.
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