Dubai: Former world number one, Maria Sharapova, has been forced to withdraw from this month's Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships due to injury. She has also withdrawn from the Open GDF Suez in Paris.
The tournament begins at the Dubai Tennis Stadium from 15 February 15.
The Russian star expressed great disappointment that the shoulder injury that has plagued her for some time will prevent her from taking part in the Dubai Duty Free owned tournament, which boasts one of the greatest line-ups the city has seen.
"I'm very disappointed to be unable to compete in the upcoming Open GDF Suez and Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, both of which are great events that I was very much hoping to be able to play," said Sharapova.
“My shoulder continues to improve every day and I am working very hard on the practice court. I'm looking forward to being back on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour very soon."
Even in Sharapova's absence, an incredible nine of the world's top 10 players are taking part in the Dubai event
“It is disappointing that Maria will not be able to join us in Dubai this year but we wish her all the best for a speedy recovery," said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of tournament owners and organisers, Dubai Duty Free.
“We are still looking forward to what promises to be an exceptional tournament with the likes of defending champion Elena Dementieva, the Williams sisters, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic just some of the big names taking part," he added.
Play at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, begins on February 15, 2009, with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event and continues with the ATP tournament from February 23.
