Moscow, Apr 18 (IANS/RIA Novosti): A short haircut by Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova provoked a backlash among fans after she posted pictures of the new style on her official Facebook page.

The three-time Grand Slam winner has remained a blonde, but most of her earlier long hair is now gone, and the new haircut finishes just below her ears.

"So what do you guys think?? I kind of love it!" she wrote on Facebook.

Some fans were less than complimentary about the new look.

"I am in shock! It's too short!" Singaporean fan Keith Chern commented on Sharapova's Facebook page.

"You've become completely different, also interesting, but I liked you better with the long hair!" said Russian fan Kseniya Maksimenko.

"It's perfect for you," wrote Keita Sugihara from Japan.

Sharapova's new hairstyle even attracted some offers of marriage, but she is engaged to Slovenian basketball player Sasha Vujacic.

In 2012, Sharapova reached the final of the Australian Open, losing to Belarusian player Viktoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-0, and lost in the finals of the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments. She is ranked No. 2 in the world and is eligible to play for Russia at the Olympic Games in London.