Gruelling WTA (Women Tennis Association) schedule has one more victim, this time its Russian sensation Maria Sharapova. Because of shoulder and hamstring injury, she will not be able to play in a Federation Cup tie against Spain.

This is quite a blow for Sharapova because if she had played in the Federation Cup for Russia this time around, her eligibility to play in next year’s Beijing Olympics should have been opened. Interestingly, Sharapova has never played in the most coveted team tournament in women tennis as yet.

According to Sharapova,

‘My doctors have a positive outlook, despite telling me I cannot play for a while. They are confident that, with five or six weeks of rest, I will be ready for the next events.”

In the last few months, top notch players like Venus, Serena, Clijsters and Henin are missing tournaments quite regularly because of injuries. This is not a good sign for women tennis because if top players don’t play regularly quality is bound to suffer.

Via: