Maria Sharapova is hoping that she will be able to return to the tour next week in what will be her first tournament since the US Open.
The five-time grand slam champion has been hampered by a shoulder injury throughout 2019. In February she underwent minor surgery during her four-month absence from the tour. Since the surgery, Sharapova has only been able to play in five WTA events. Out of seven matches played, she scored just two victories over Viktoria Kuzmova in Mallorca and Alison Riske in Cincinnati.
Despite her injury-stricken season, Sharapova is hoping to return to the court next week at the Luxembourg Open. A tournament she hasn’t participated in since 2003 when she lost in the semi-finals to Kim Clijsters. Although her prime focus in on a full comeback next year.
“I’m back on track now,” Sharapova told reporters in Linz on Tuesday.
“I’m doing all the right things, but I might need a little more time. I might play next week. I’ll test the shoulder with a couple of practice sets.
“I’m not in a rush. The main goal is to get healthy, put in the work and play a good schedule in 2020. I want to work my way into 2020 and be healthy.”
Sharapova hasn’t won a title of any sort for two years. However, she believes she has what it takes to rise back to the top of the game. During to her shoulder problem, she has fallen down the rankings to 137th in the world. Her lowest position since August 2017 when she was on the comeback from a doping suspension.
“The shoulder has been a weak link in my body for many years. This year it got pretty bad. I didn’t play for most of the season,” Sharapova explained.
“But those are the ups and downs an athlete goes through. I have the motivation to get better. I know there are no limits to what you can achieve.”
At the age of 32, questions are mounting about how much longer Sharapova will continue for. Especially if her shoulder problems continue to hinder her performance. However, she insists that there are no retirement plans set yet.
“I’ve never had a certain goal of how long to play. When I was a young woman of 19, I’m sure I didn’t think I’d be playing past 30,” she said.
“I’m closer to the finish than the beginning or middle of my career — but who knows.”
During her career, Sharapova has won 36 WTA titles and spent 21 weeks as world No.1.
