Sharapova to become Sugarpova for brand promotion

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Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova planned to change her last name into Sugarpova temporarily to promote her candy brand, foreign media reported Tuesday.

Sharapova has applied to the Supreme Court of Florida, the United State for the two-week name change during the upcoming US Open tournament as a way to draw more attention to her sweets line, the Times reported.

Besides necessary legal procedures, the top athlete should also get approval of the US Open organizers to make her new name displayed during the tournament.

The Sugarpova company was founded by the former world No 1 player in 2012 with some $500,000. There are various flavors of the sweets including labels such as "flirty" and "smitten". Its has a pair of pink lips as the symbol.

The 26-year-old Russian blonde led the Forbes list of highest-paid female athletes this year, earning $29 million between June 2012 and June 2013.

Sharapova is on top for the ninth straight year. She has received that money from tournaments prizes and sponsors endorsement deals.

Besides being a successful athlete and a boss, she looks forward to expand into fashion, accessories and make-up, the Forbes said.

• Sharapova leads top earning athletes list ninth time in a row
• Sharapova, Federer suffer shock defeat
• Serena Williams claims French Open title
• Sharapova reaches semifinals at French Open
• Li Na battles Sharapova in Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final
• Sharapova beats Garcia 2-0 at WTA
• Sharapova lands year's first title

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