Maria Sharapova Would Be Silly to Change Name to 'Sugarpova' for 2013 U.S. Open

Maria Sharapova has made plenty of mistakes on the tennis court, but netting a forehand return or committing a double fault is to be expected from time to time.

Changing your surname from Sharapova to "Sugarpova" for a two week period, solely for the purpose of promoting your own line of candy, is a much less forgivable error. 

According to the Times of London's Neil Harman, Sharapova is looking into a temporary name change, one rivaling that of Chad Ochocinco and Metta World Peace. The Russian star is reportedly considering changing her surname to Sugarpova for the two-week-long U.S. Open this summer in an effort to promote her candy line.

Harman adds that Sharapova has asked the Supreme Court of Florida about a "quickie" name change.

Sharapova's willingness to make the short-term change can be viewed in two ways. Either it's a brilliant and bold marketing strategy, or a desperate one that will only cost her supporters around the world.

In reality, it's somewhere in the middle.

Tennis fans are now aware that Sharapova has a candy line if they weren't already, regardless of whether she goes through with the name change. And those who think the worst things about television are the commercials will have a new reason to root against and despise the four-time Grand Slam champion.

The other argument against the potential name change is the timing. 

Sharapova has bigger fish to fry at the moment. The world No. 3 has struggled mightily on the tennis court since her run to the French Open final back in June.

She was knocked out in the second round at Wimbledon and most recently suffered a second-round loss to Sloane Stephens in Cincinnati, a troubling defeat that led her to fire coach Jimmy Connors after just one match together.

Overall, she's 1-3 in her last four matches. 

Therefore, it's safe to say that Sharapova should be focused on improving her game rather than promoting Sugarpova candies. 

Becoming Maria Sugarpova for two weeks isn't going to make a difference on the court, but if she loses early, it's a sure way for Sharapova to attract even more negative publicity and bring additional embarrassment upon herself.

Consequently, Sharapova would be wise to quit while she's ahead. The rumor that's she considering the temporary change alone will help bring attention to her candy line. But there's no need for her to create an unnecessary distraction for herself in the lead-up to a tournament she hasn't won since 2006.

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