Maria Sharapova arrives in PH for IPTL

MANILA, Philippines – Tennis Superstar Maria Sharapova arrived in the Philippines late Thursday evening, November 27 just in time for the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).

Sharapova along with other tennis stars will be in the Philippines for the 3-day manila leg of the IPTL.

Sharapova will be part of Team Manila Mavericks along with two-time singles grand slam winner Andy Murray. Murray also reportedly arrived in the country Thursday evening.

Day one of the IPTL in Manila happens Friday, November 28 with the Mavericks going up against the UAE Royals, which consists of Marin Cilic, Kristina Mladenovic, Nenad Zimonjic, and Goran Ivanisevic.

On Friday morning, Sharapova tweeted about missing Thanksgiving in the US but appeared to be excited about playing in Manila.

Happy Thanksgiving from Manila! I can’t be with my family today but it looks like tonight’s atmosphere will make up for anything I missed 🙂

— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) November 28, 2014

Sharapova, 27, is currently ranked World Number two by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). She has won 33 WTA singles titles, including 5 Grand Slam singles titles. The WTA has ranked Sharapova world No. 1 in singles on 5 separate occasions, for a total of 21 weeks. She first became the world number one for on August 22, 2005, and last held the ranking from June 11, 2012 to July 8, 2012.

A popular figure, Sharapova is also a sought after product endorser and was Forbes’ highest-paid female athlete back in 2006. – with reports from Naveen Ganglani/Rappler.com