Maria Sharapova wants to ‘play and win gold’ at the upcoming Olympic Games, according to the head of the Russian Tennis Federation.
Shamil Tarpischev has spoken about the former world No.1 on the same day the Russian Fed Cup team was named for their upcoming clash with Italy later this month. Sharapova has not been selected due to an ongoing injury which has sidelined her in recent weeks. She last played on the WTA Tour at the St Petersburg Open in February.
Sharapova hasn’t played in the Fed Cup since 2015. However, she has been nominated for one tie following her last appearance. Under the current rules set out by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the 31-year-old is ineligible to compete at the Olympic Games. Within an Olympic cycle, players are required to play three ties. This is reduced to two ties depending on the length of service or the zone group round robin criteria as specified in the eligibility rule.
“If we do not include Sharapova in the team, this does not mean that she will not get to the Olympic Games,” Tarpischev told Sport Express.
“Here we, if need be, will write (to the ITF) that we did not take her to the team, because she was injured. It’ll be enough.”
Shapaova’s hopes of playing in Tokyo next year hangs on an appeal process that she can go through. The Russian delegation will argue that she has been unable to play in the Fed Cup due to injury. Since the last Olympics, Sharapova has also been ineligible to compete for 15 months after failing a drugs test. She returned to the tour in April 2017.
“She generally wants to play and win gold there. We have repeatedly talked about this.” Tarpischev said of Sharapova’s Olympic ambitions. “Things can change only if she ends her career due to injuries. But I hope this does not come to that.”
Sharapova has only played in the Olympics once during her career. At the 2012 London Games she won a silver medal after losing to Serena Williams in the final.
It is unclear as to when the five-time grand slam champion will return to the tour. Since the US Open, she has only been able to participate in three tournaments due to her shoulder problem. Earlier this year, she underwent a ‘small procedure’ to help combat the pain and is currently continuing with her rehabilitation.
https://twitter.com/MariaSharapova/status/1112860230684045312
Speaking about the Russian’s string of physical problems, Tarpischev believes she should reduce her commitments to the tour. Following the example set by Roger Federer, who has reduced his schedule in recent years to spend more time resting.
“It is disturbing that she has a lot of injuries. Not only her shoulder, but also leg and hip.” He said.
“She probably needs to play smaller (calendar). I Suppose, like Federer. It is necessary to reduce the load and prepare for a number of important tournaments – the Grand Slams and the Premier tournaments, in particular.”
“The training regime should be reviewed.” Tarpischev later added.
Sharapova has won 36 WTA titles so far in her career. Her last triumph was at the 2017 Tianjin Open in China.
see also: EXCLUSIVE: ITF Open To Allowing Ranking Points At The Olympics, But No Change In Eligibility Policy
