Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova will miss the entire clay court swing of 2019 after officially withdrawing from the French Open later this month.
The five-time grand slam champion hasn’t played a competitive match since withdrawing from the second round of the St Petersburg Open on January 30th. Sharapova has been absent from the tour due to an ongoing shoulder injury. Earlier this year she underwent a ‘minor’ surgical procedure to help ease the pain in the area. The pain was caused by a fraying tendon and small labrum tear.
“Withdrawing from the French Open today. Sometimes the right decisions aren’t always the easy ones.” Sharapova wrote in her Instagram story.
“In better news, I have returned to the practice court, and slowly building the strength back in my shoulder.” She added.
Sharapova reached the quarter-finals of the French Open last year is what is her best grand slam result since returning from a doping ban. At the tournament she scored wins over Donna Vekic and Karolina Pliskova before falling to Garbine Muguruza. Due to her upcoming absence from Roland Garros, she will drop 430 ranking points.
Prior to her injury woes, the 32-year-old has managed to play in three tournaments during the first month of this season. Reaching the quarter-finals in Shenzhen followed by the fourth round at the Australian Open. Overall, she has won six out of eight matches played.
It is unclear as to when Sharapova will return to the tour. The Daily Mail has reported that the Russian was not on the list of player’s participating in the upcoming Nature Valley Classic at Edgbaston Priory. A grass-court event that will start on June 15th. It is understood that in return for her receiving a wildcard into the 2017 tournament, she has a two-year commitment to play there in the future. Meaning that she should be playing this year if fit.
Sharapova has won 36 WTA titles during her career and has spent 21 weeks as world No.1.
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