Maria Sharapova withdraws from the US Open due to injury

Bangalore, Aug 22: World No. 3 and former champion Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the U S Open because of the injury.

"Sharapova has informed us that she will be unable to compete at the U.S Open this year due to the right shoulder injury and has taken the decision to withdrawn from the tournament," tournament director David Brewer said in a statement.

"I just wanted to let you know that withdrawing from the US Open has been a really tough decision to make. I have done everything I could since Wimbledon to get myself ready, but it just wasn't enough time. I have done many tests, received several opinions and it all comes down to taking the proper amount of time to heal my shoulder injury properly. It's certainly not an easy decision to make ahead of one of my favorite tournaments, but I know it's the right one that will get me back on the courts soon. I plan on taking the next few weeks off, receiving proper treatment and rehabilitation. I will miss being part of the US Open, but can't wait for next year." the former champion said in her official site.

Sharapova's only match since her second-round defeat at Wimbledon in late June was a loss in her opening match in last week's WTA event at Cincinnati to American Sloane Stephens.

That was followed by a split with Jimmy Connors, who had been her coach for less than three weeks. Sharapova had been nursing a hip injury since her Wimbledon campaign.

OneIndia News

(with agency inputs)