Sponsors suspend ties with glamour girl Maria Sharapova

Three of Maria Sharapova’s top sponsors have suspended ties with the Russian tennis star after she admitted failing a doping test.

Sportswear giant Nike suspended its sponsorship, saying in a statement that it was “saddened and surprised by the news.” Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer says its deal with the Russian will not be renewed. German car manufacturers Porsche became the third big-name sponsor to distance themselves from Sharapova.

“We regret the news about Maria Sharapova. Until more details are known and we can analyse the situation, we have decided to suspend planned activities (with her),” said Porsche in a statement.

TAG Heuer said in a statement that its previous contract with Sharapova had expired at the end of 2015 and it has pulled out of negotiations on a new agreement.

“Maria Sharapova was under contract with TAG Heuer until December 31th, 2015. We had been in talks to extend our collaboration,” a company statement said.

“In view of the current situation, the Swiss watch brand has suspended negotiations and has decided not to renew the contract with Ms Sharapova.”

The five-time Grand Slam winner had a 12-year relationship with TAG Heuer, a company spokesperson said in an email.

The announcement came hours after a similar move by US sportswear giant Nike, which said it was “saddened and surprised” by the Russian’s annou-ncement and was suspending its contract. Very saddened: WTA boss “I am very saddened to hear this news about Maria,” WTA chief executive Steve Simon said.

“Maria is a leader and I have always known her to be a woman of great integrity. Nevertheless, as Maria acknowledged, it is every player’s responsibility to know what they put in their body and to know if it is permissible.”

Australian tennis officials also said they were surprised to learn that Sharapova tested positive in Melbourne.