Maria Sharapova splits with coach after shock Indian Wells R1 exit

Maria Sharapova looking dejected

Maria Sharapova has parted ways with her coach Sven Groeneveld, two days after her shock first round exit from the BNP Paribas Open.

Sharapova has strugged for form of late and on Wednesday went down 6-4, 6-4 to world No 44 Naomi Osaka.

It was the first time since 2003 that the former world No 1 has lost three consecutive matches.

She lost in the third round of the Australian Open, beaten by Angelique Kerber, before suffering a first round defeat in Qatar to qualifier Monica Niculescu.

As such the axe has fallen on Groeneveld.

“After four successful and challenging years of collaboration together, 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 news release.

“Although we have mutually agreed to part ways during this time, I have been incredibly fortunate to have a team leader like him in my corner.”

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