Sharapova cautious over shoulder injury
Sharapova hopes to defend her Grand Slam title in Melbourne.
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Tuesday, 30, Dec 2008 09:26
Maria Sharapova has ruled herself out of an exhibition tournament in Hong Kong as she fights to recover from a shoulder injury in time for the Australian Open.
The Russian won the Grand Slam event in Melbourne last year without dropping a set and hopes to defend her ladies singles title when the event starts on January 19th.
Sharapova, however, is cautious about returning to competitive action too soon before she recovers from a serious injury to her right shoulder.
"I am trying to do everything possible to be ready for Australia, but I have promised my doctors, coach and family that I will not rush back," the 21-year-old said in a statement on her official website mariasharapova.com.
"Since I only started practicing 16 days ago, I have only been able to practice so many hours at a time which is why I don't feel like I am ready to compete at a high level and why I need to pull out of the exhibition in Hong Kong," Sharapova stated.
She added: "I know my shoulder will be 100 per cent by Australia, I just need to see if I have enough tennis training to be ready for that level."
The Russian tennis star defeated Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic on her way to the Australian Open title in January 2008.
She won Wimbledon aged only 17 in 2004, defeating America's Serena Williams in the final.