Shoulder Shuts Sharapova Out of U.S. Open
The number three-seeded Maria Sharapova has announced that she has withdrawn from the 2013 U.S. Open due to bursitis in her right shoulder. Sharapova’s agent, Max Eisenbud, told USA Today that her shoulder has been bothering her since before the French Open in May. Sharapova’s withdrawal moves Agnieszka Radwanska up to the number three seed in the women’s singles draw, while Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova becomes the number 32 seed.
"We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to her return to New York next year," said U.S. Open Tournament Director David Brewer upon hearing news of Sharapova’s withdrawal.
Sharapova had entertained the idea of changing her name to "Maria Sugarpova" for the U.S. Open in order to promote her line of candy, but nixed the idea on Tuesday. Her company had sold 1.8 million bags of candy around the world in North America, Europe and Asia, with planned launches in South America later in 2013.
News of Sharapova’s withdrawal from the women’s draw comes just a few days after Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli announced her retirement from the sport and just a day after American Mardy Fish withdrew from the Open after a history of heart-related issues.
A winner of the 2006 U.S. Open, Sharapova was slowed by a hip injury after Wimbledon, when she hired Jimmy Connors as her coach. Just last week, she suffered a first round loss at the 2013 Western & Southern Open in Ohio, a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 loss to American Sloane Stephens. Earlier in August, Sharapova withdrew from the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
