THREE-TIME grand slam winner Maria Sharapova has avoided a $50,000 fine from the WTA for pulling out of the Brisbane International by using one of her two medical withdrawals. The world No 4 gave only eight days’ notice that she would not be competing in the Brisbane event, which starts on Sunday. She told fans on her website on December 22 that she was getting ready for turkey and apple cider at Christmas and then packing her bags the day after to get on a plane for the new season. But on Christmas Eve she posted another message saying the left ankle she injured in Tokyo in October was still giving her trouble. “My ankle only recently started feeling good and therefore I want to make sure I’m fully ready for the coming year by not rushing into things too fast,” she said.
Sharapova added she was still preparing to front for the Australian Open (January 16-29), two weeks after Brisbane.
“I do expect to be ready for the year’s first grand slam and I am really looking forward to competing on court,” she said.
Sharapova won the Open in 2008 and normally does not play any of the Australian-based lead-up tournaments. She entered the Gold Coast WTA event six years ago but withdrew with injury before striking a ball. “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 statement that was released by organisers. Brisbane tournament organiser, Cameron Pearce said: “It’s really disappointing for her as I know how much she was looking forward to playing.
