Scott Barbour/EPA, via Shutterstock
The exit interview had just about ended last week when I asked Maria Sharapova if she would consider coaching in retirement.
Sharapova, standing tall as usual, doubled over with laughter.
Safe to say that was a no.
She also closed the door on a comeback as a player even though comebacks are a staple of women’s tennis.
“No,” she said. “I promise everyone.”
Kim Clijsters, a mother of three, recently returned to the tour at age 36 after more than seven years away from competition. Serena Williams, Sharapova’s kryptonite, is playing on in search of a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title at age 38, as she raises her 2-year-old daughter, Olympia.