Sports Legend Maria Sharapova buys Summerland Ranch

A warm Summerland welcome to sports legend Maria Sharapova, who has purchased one of my favorite properties. The retired (in February of this year) tennis player has purchased a five-acre ocean view compound in the hills for $8.6 million. The 33-year-old Russian has won more than $38 million in prize money – that’s not counting endorsements. A magical spot, where I was very lucky to spend a good bit of time, is now under the caretaking of this new owner. If Summerland has spirits, I reckon the ghost of my former beau Erik Johnson– a huge tennis fan/player and one hell of a nice guy – will be haunting the former guest cottage where he lived, to meet Maria. Longtime Summerland artist Dennis Spangler(also on the other side) had an amazing art studio and workshop there. May the lanky tennis champion – who, by the way, has impeccable taste (her L.A. home has been featured in Architectural Digest) – enjoy this very special property, ghosts or no ghosts.