SYDNEY, Australia (AP)— Maria Sharapova's shoulder injury will keep her out of another big event—the Australian Open.
Sharapova told the tournament Sunday she will not be able to defend her title at Melbourne Park beginning Jan. 19. She also missed the Beijing Olympics and the U.S. Open because of the injury, and her recovery has been slower than expected.
“My shoulder is doing great,” she said in a statement. “But I just started training a few weeks ago and I am just not near the level I need to be to compete at the highest levels.”
Her Australian Open victory last year started an 18-match winning streak, enabling the Russian to briefly reclaim her No. 1 ranking in May. But her ailing shoulder hampered her progress in the second half of the season.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said he was disappointed for Sharapova, who beat Ana Ivanovic of Serbia in the 2008 final.
“She played some amazing tennis on Rod Laver Arena last year and has a massive legion of fans in Australia,” Tiley said. “I know she has been working around the clock to try and get back from the shoulder injury. In the end, time beat her this year.”