Sharapova set to make millions as brands chase new star

LONDON - The 17-year-old Russian tennis sensation, Maria Sharapova, is set to earn as much as 拢100m in advertising and sponsorship deals following her Wimbledon victory as firms rush to sign her.

Experts are already predicting that the teenager will easily eclipse fellow Russian Anna Kournikova, who, while stunning looking, was never such a winner on the court as Sharapova.

Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Mastercard and McDonald's are all brands that are ready to sign Sharapova up. Reports of how much she could stand to make range from 拢30m to as much as 拢100m.

One expert, Nigel Currie, co-chairman of the European Sponsorship Association, said that Sharapova could be bigger than Beckham.

"She has the looks, age, personality, talent and that same essential wow factor that Beckham brings to men's sport. But I think she can go much bigger than him," he said.

The leggy blonde, who beat reigning champion Serena Williams on Saturday, already has Nike and Prince racquets sponsorship deals, but these are seen as just the beginning, as the kinds of fees she can now command increases exponentially as her ranking rises.

Steve Martin, sports marketing expert for M&C Saatchi, told the Sunday Mirror: "It is not at all unrealistic to expect this girl to earn 拢100m plus. She could become a global icon. Everyone will want to know what she likes and how she lives."

Like Currie, Martin also sees parallels with Beckham: "She could become one of the few sports people to transcend their sport -- David Beckham is the most famous example of that."

Sharapova, who was born in Siberia but brought up in Florida and picked up 拢560,500 for her Centre Court win, said of becoming the women's Wimbledon champion: "I have already told a few people: 'If I change then hit me over the head!'."

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