Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova is still being hampered by physical issues after being forced to withdraw from their upcoming Linz Open in Austria.
The five-time grand slam champion has pulled out of the tournament due to a shoulder problem. An issue that has been bothering her throughout the season. In February she underwent minor surgery on her shoulder and subsequently missed four months of the tour. Playing in only three tournaments during the first six months of the year.
“I am very sorry that Maria can’t come to Linz. But I fully understand her, the health of the player always has priority,” tournament Director Sandra Reichel said in a statement.
Linz was set to be where the Russian would stage her latest comeback to the tour. She hasn’t played a competitive match since losing in the first round of the US Open to Serena Williams. Overall, Sharapova has only managed to play 15 matches this season and won eight of those. Although she has lost in the first round in two out of the three grand slams she played at.
In recent months there has also been changes made to Sharapova’s team after she split from coach Thomas Hogstedt for a second time. She had previously worked with the Swede between 2011-2013 before turning back to his help last year. Since the latest separation, she has sought some help from Italian coach Riccardo Piatti on a short-term basis.
It is unclear as to if Sharapova will play another tournament before the end of the year. She has been awarded a wild card for the Luxembourg Open, which will start on October 12th. She has only played in the tournament once before. In 2003 she reached the semi-finals before losing to Kim Clijsters.
Sharapova is currently ranked 137th in the world.
