Russian tennis player Ekaterina Bychkova doesn’t make a whole lot of noise for her play, but she’s made some noise for questioning the relationship between Maria Sharapova and Grigor Dimitrov.
In an interview with Tribune Russia, Bychkova didn’t necessarily question whether the two tennis players were in love, but she did suggest that the relationship is a PR move.
Here’s how the interview Q&A went based on Google Translate:
– There was talk that she is not acting for any other reason …
– Pregnancy? Nonsense! Do you believe that Sharapova and Dimitrov …
– … Sharapova Dimitrov and love each other, and there are fears that this may adversely affect their professional careers.
– Love is love, and that’s fine, but this love PR still gives a bit … (laughs)
Tennis World had an even harsher translation of the comments.
“Love is love, but the one between her and Dimitrov seems like public relations stuff… It’s difficult to have relationships when you constantly travel around the world.”
If Sharapova and Dimitrov are together to enhance their images PR-wise, it wouldn’t be the first time celebrities got together for that reason. Many have said that’s what’s going on between Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods. But I don’t necessarily think that’s the case with Sharapova and Dimitrov.
If their relationship were just for PR purposes, then why didn’t Sharapova confirm it for several months? And if she were in a relationship to get a PR boost, wouldn’t her handlers have chosen a more marketable/well known male?
Sharapova certainly does some very creative things for PR purposes, but I don’t think this is one of them.
