Wertheim: Sharapova has a long way to go in decorum

Good article to read.

Sharapova is a hyper-motivated player whose intensity is to be admired. The underbelly, as we've seen before, is a galling level of self-absorption and a general tone-deafness to common courtesy. In Sharapova's defense, she still recalls the time Serena Williams was felled during the 2004 WTA Championships. Sharapova acted solicitously, and before she knew it, Serena had reeled off four straight games. Also, she was gracious after the match. (We hear Sharapova and Golovin are even sitting courtside together at the Miami Heat game Thursday night.)

But overall I think she could use a crash course in decorum. You'd think that as the WTA's de facto figurehead, she would want to represent her sport as well as possible. (See: Federer, Roger.) And short of that, there are crass commercial reasons to support an attitude adjustment. It's great that she can attach her name to every product under the sun (and, in full disclosure, pose for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue). But how much longer can she turn entire stadiums against her and expect the endorsement booty to roll in? How much longer can she get blasted on ESPN and still expect to seduce Madison Avenue?

To me, this is symptomatic of a larger issue. We love women's tennis. Really, we do. But maybe the WTA (with underwriting provided by Sony Ericsson) might want to hold a symposium for players on the topic of professionalism and sportsmanship. Some possible topics:

You don't bail on event after event with highly questionable injuries only to show up drunk at Oscar parties. You don't quit in the second set of a Grand Slam final with a tummy ache. You don't get a shiatsu massage from the trainer or venture to the water closet every time you're losing. You don't accept the blatant mid-match coaching from your coach or father. You don't hit practice serves into the back wall when your opponent is writhing in pain.