Russian tennis star Sharapova outfit to be auctioned at U.S. Open

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) will hold an auction in September featuring over 500 items belonging to a number of tennis stars including Russia's Maria Sharapova.

"USTA Serves is partnering with Guernsey's Auction House to host "The Vintage Tennis Auction at the 2009 US Open." The auction will be held on Sept. 11 and Sept. 13 and will feature over 500 authentic items, featuring everything from John McEnroe's shoes to an outfit worn by Maria Sharapova,", the USTA Serves Foundation, the association's philanthropic branch, said in a statement.

The organizers are hoping to raise as much as $500,000 to support disadvantaged children through the integration of tennis and education.

Former world no. 1 Maria Sharapova recently returned to tennis after 10 months out with a shoulder injury, and quickly rose from 102nd place to 30th in WTA rankings in late August.

Sharapova will face Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova in her first match at the U.S. Open 2009, which started on Monday.