Sharapova bags 70-mn dollar eight-year Nike deal

Sydney, Jan 12 (ANI): Nike has extended its association with former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova by eight years for 70 million dollars, just days before the start of the Australian Open.

The deal takes effect this month according to a person with knowledge of the contract and includes a line of dresses designed by the former top-ranked tennis player.

The 22-year-old will also get a percentage of sales, according to the source who asked not to be identified because the terms are private, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Nike the world's largest athletic-shoe maker, has worked with the Russian for 11 years.

Since winning Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 17, Sharapova has become one of the biggest draws on the WTA Tour and the world's best-paid female athlete. She has also won the Australian and US Opens.

Sharapova makes close to 22 million dollars a year in prize money and from endorsing companies including Tiffany and Co., Sony Ericsson and Canon, according to Sports Illustrated. (ANI)