MANILA (PHOTO: AP)---From Team Philippines to Team Sharapova.

That’s the current career path Cecil Mamiit took after he snagged a job as hitting partner of grand slam champion Maria Sharapova of Russia.

Mamiit told the Inquirer that he went with Team Sharapova to Miami, Florida where she is seeing action as 16th seed in the women’s singles of the Sony Ericsson Open.

“Yes I am part of her team. I’m in Miami for the Sony Ericsson tournament,” wrote Mamiit through a Facebook message.

In fact, Mamiit is shown in internet pictures wearing a T-shirt with Pilipinas emblazoned on it while practicing with the stunning netter who has the 2004 Wimbledon, 2006 US Open and 2008 Australian Open titles tucked under her belt.

Sharapova beat Petra Martic of Croatia, 6-3, 6-2, to march into the third round of the Sony Ericsson. She’s set to face Sabini Lisicki of Germany for a slot in the quarterfinals.

The 34-year-old Mamiit, playing captain of the Philippine Davis Cup team, has decided to end his ATP Tour campaign and instead work for Sharapova. He also gets to don the PH colors during Davis Cup ties.

Before playing for the Philippine team, Mamiit campaigned as an American in the ATP Tour and even reached as high as 72nd in the world in October 1999.

Mamiit also trained in the famed Bollettieri Tennis Academy which put him within the orbit of superstars like Sharapova.

Marc Anthony Reyes, Inquirer.net