Shoulder Injury Forces Sharapova Out of WTA Championships in Istanbul
October 7, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Maria Sharapova has announced her withdrawal from the season-ending WTA Championships in Istanbul due to a right shoulder injury. Currently ranked number three in the world, Sharapova was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open on the eve of the event due to the injury.
"I am very disappointed that I will not be able to play in the WTA Championships this year," said Sharapova, whose turbulent season has also been marked by her splitting with Jimmy Connors after just three weeks as her coach.
And while Sharapova will not take part in the event, the Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova, winner of two titles this season, Italy’s Sara Errani, who has won one of her four finals this campaign, and Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic have all qualified for the WTA Championships. The trio joins Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Agnieszka Radwanska and Li Na who have already qualified for the event.
