Grigor Dimitrov takes tips from girlfriend Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova and (inset) Grigor Dimitrov

London: 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.


Maria Sharapova and (inset) Grigor Dimitrov. Pics/Getty Images

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 No 11 said.

Advice appreciated
"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 Sharapova'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 said he would have enjoyed watching his girlfriend's match , but the timing was all wrong.

Quick finisher
"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 (her match) quite fast."

Sharapova did manage to watch some of her boyfriend's match, though on Wednesday. In a curious feat of scheduling, she played immediately after Dimitrov on Wimbledon's Court No 2, 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.

"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."