After a season marred by various injury setbacks, Maria Sharapova is hoping she will be able to turn her fortunes around in the new year.
A shoulder injury that required surgery has blighted the five-time grand slam champion throughout 2019. Her last match took place at the US Open, where she lost in the first round to Serena Williams. Overall, Sharapova has only been able to play in eight tournaments this year with her best result being a run to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Not to be too disheartened by her misfortunes, the 32-year-old is making her final preparations ahead of her latest comeback. It will get underway next week at the Brisbane International after she accepted a wild card to play. Sharapova won the tournament back in 2015 after defeating Ana Ivanovic in the final.
“It’s a fresh start after a tough last season,” Sharapova told Australian media on Tuesday.
“There were a lot of ups and downs. It (shoulder) has been about pain management that unfortunately in 2019 I wasn’t able to handle.
“But I have had a fairly good off season and I am motivated to compete.
“At this point in my career when I have that feeling, it’s a good sign.”
Currently ranked 133rd in the world, the Russian states that she has unfinished business on the tour. It has been almost six years since she won her last grand slam title at the French Open. Furthermore, Sharapova’s only title since returning from a 15-month doping suspension occurred in January 2017 at the Tianjin Open in China.
“To be fair when I was younger I never saw myself playing past 30,” she admits.
“(And) I don’t think my surgically repaired shoulder will ever be perfect.
“But I still feel there is a lot in me to give. I still have a lot of fire in me.
“As long as the shoulder stays healthy and my body allows me to I hope there is a lot of time left for me.”
It remains to be seen how much of a threat Sharapova can become in the future following her recent setbacks. Due to her ranking, she is hoping a strong run in Brisbane will further strengthen her case for a wild card into the Australian Open. A tournament she won back in 2008 at the age of 18.
The Brisbane International is set to feature a star-studded line-up with a total of 12 top 20 players on the entry list. The main draw will get underway on Monday the 6th January.
Sharapova in 2019
- Shenzhen Open – quarter-finalist
- Australian Open – fourth round
- St. Petersburg Open – reached the second round before withdrawing
- Mallorca Open – second round
- Wimbledon – retired in the first round whilst trailing the final set 0-5
- Canadian Open – first round
- Cincinnati Open – second round
- US Open – first round
A message from Maria 🙌🏼
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.#BrisbaneTennis @visitbrisbane @MariaSharapova pic.twitter.com/CkrEuvxHB1— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) December 30, 2019
