Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams Pull Out of Pre-Australian Open Events

Written by: Staff on 26th December 2011

Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams Pull Out of Pre-Australian Open Events

Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a ball to Samantha Stosur of Australia during the WTA tennis tournament in Istanbul, Turkey, 25 October 2011. EPA/STRINGER TURKEY OUT |

The new season hasn’t even begun yet, but two major stars of the WTA Tour have already withdrawn from events taking place in the first week of the year.

Following the pullout of Venus Williams from the ASB Classic in Auckland, Maria Sharapova has cited an ongoing ankle injury for her decision not to compete at the Brisbane International.

“I was really looking forward to starting my 2012 season at the Brisbane International, which has a fantastic reputation as a great and welcoming event,” Sharapova said in a press release from the tournament. “Unfortunately my ankle is not 100 percent and I won’t be able to make it this year. I do expect to be ready for the year’s first Grand Slam and I am really looking forward to competing on court.”

There appears to be no doubt that the Russian will compete at the Australian Open, which begins in mid-January. Williams is also hopeful of playing in the year’s first major, although an element of doubt does still remain. She has not played in an official match since her first round victory at the US Open, after which she defaulted to Sabine Lisicki citing a diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome.

“This last six months have been a learning curve for me, in terms of learning about Sjogren’s and how it makes me feel, and what I can do,” Williams told the Palm Beach Post. “I’m coming along well. (Sjogren’s) is definitely a big concern. But at the end of the day, it’s important to know what I’m dealing with. My main goal is to be healthy for the Olympics.”

Topics: Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams