World No.6 Maria Sharapova has been presented with a Merit to the Fatherland medal by the Russian minister of sport Vitaly Mutko.
The Merit of the Fatherland is awarded to people who has made a ‘significant’ contribution to Russia. Sharapova has received honors from Russia in the past. In 2012 she was awarded the Services to the Fatherland” II degree, and in August of the same year – the Medal of the Order “For Merit”. Her latest award is the most prominent reward of the three. Speaking to Russian media, Sharapova spoke of her surprise to be given the honor.
“Of course, I did not expect such an award, I very rarely am in Moscow, so when I had the opportunity to come to the Fed Cup, then received these medals and go back to Moscow is just great”. R-sport.ru quoted Sharapova as saying.
This weekend Sharapova has been named in the Fed Cup team for Russia’s upcoming tie against the Netherlands. There is uncertainty regarding if she will participate in the tie due to injury issues. Last month in Australia the 28-year-old said that she will go to the tie to cheer on her team but wouldn’t be playing.
The original reason for Sharapova’s Fed Cup boycott was to rest her forearm, however, a figure in Russian tennis has spoken about another injury. According to an interview given by Russian tennis official Vladimir Kamelzon earlier this week, Sharapova is having problems with her shoulder.
“The chances that she will play, in my opinion, are small. She hurt her shoulder”. Kamelzon said on February 2nd to r-sport.ru.
“After the Fed Cup tie, Sharapova will travel to Germany for treatment”.
Sharapova has endured issues with her shoulder throughout her career. In 2013 she underwent her third shoulder operation. The series of problems has forced the Russian to change some of the style of play in order to prevent further damage. There has been no comment from Sharapova regarding the latest issue and her planned trip to Germany.
The uncertainty surrounding Sharapova’s Fed Cup commitments has placed her Olympic ambitions in doubt. In order for the world No.6 to be eligible for Olympic competition, she must be part of the final Fed Cup team (which she is). A player must also play in three Fed Cup ties in the four-year Olympic cycle, one of which must of been in 2015 or 2016. Sharapova has only played in two Fed Cup ties since the 2012 London Olympics and therefore she needs to play in one more tie this year in order to be eligible for the 2016 Olympics.
