MADRID: World No. 2 Maria Sharapova confirmed on Saturday that she is dating fellow tennis star, the highly-rated Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (pic).

The two had been caught on camera kissing in the streets of Madrid on Wednesday, the day after Dimitrov had dumped world number one Novak Djokovic out of the Madrid Masters.

Sharapova had responded to the publishing of those photos by cryptically writing “how did you catch us?” on the courtside camera after her Madrid Open quarter-final on Friday.

“We’re official. We’ve been seeing each other for a while. You know, it’s just news to us that someone took a picture of us now after this time,” said the Russian, who is five years older than Dimitrov.

“It’s nice to have something in life that you’re able to have for yourself and on your own, because so much of your lives are in the public eye.

“So this is just a part of your personal life away from the court. It’s just something that both of us just want to cherish on our own.”

However, Sharapova, who reached the Madrid final on Saturday, also knocked down any suggestion that the two could team up to play mixed doubles anytime soon.

“Last time I played mixed doubles was about I would say 10 years ago. Didn’t go too well. Decided that’s just not my thing.”

Last year, Sharapova called off her engagement to basketball player Sasha Vujacic. — AFP

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