Sharapova misses Gold Coast event

Maria Sharapova has been forced to withdraw from the Mondial Australian Women’s Hardcourts tournament with a strained right shoulder.

The Gold Coast event begins on New Year’s Day and will mark the return to competitive tennis of former world number one Martina Hingis.

Sharapova is hoping that the injury will respond to treatment and she will be healthy enough to participate in the 2006 Australian Open.

“I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the Mondial Women’s Hardcourts in Gold Coast because my right shoulder is not yet ready to allow me to compete at the Tour level,” the 18-year-old Russian said.

“Tournament director Liz Smylie has put together a fantastic event that I hope to be able to play in 2007, and I am sure it will again be a great success this year.

“I will be doing everything possible in consultation with my doctors to be healthy enough to play the Australian Open. I have spent the off-season training and preparing both on and off the court for the 2006 season.”