So, this stupid controversy—manufactured to create some buzz for her candy-line—is now over: Maria Sharapova is not changing her name for the U.S. Open. Her agent Max Eisenbud confirmed to ESPN that it just wouldn't be feasible. I'm sure all of this only dawned on them in the last couple of hours:
"Maria has pushed her team to do fun, out-of-the-box-type things to get the word out about Sugarpova," Eisenbud said. "In Miami, we're going to fill a glass truck full of candy and drive it around town. This was an idea that fell along those lines. But, at the end of the day, we would have to change all her identification, she has to travel to Japan and China right after the tournament and it was going to be very difficult."
In order to change her name, Sharapova — who is a Russian citizen but has a green card and resides in Florida — would have had to file a name change petition in the state, submit fingerprints, have a background check and have a hearing before a judge. If the judge signed an order, the name change would be official.
[ESPN]