Five weeks into the new season, Maria Sharapova's injury issues continue.

The five-time Grand Slam champion has withdrawn from the Qatar Total Open citing a left forearm injury. It is the same injury that prompted Sharapova to pull out of her first tournament of the year in Brisbane last month.

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"Unfortunately, I will not be able to play the Qatar Total Open because of my left forearm injury," Sharapova said in a statement posted on the tournament's website. "I would like to wish the tournament and all the great fans in Doha a great week of tennis and I hope to see them next year."

The former world No. 1 was on the sidelines for Russia's stunning Fed Cup loss to The Netherlands in Moscow last week. Sharapova did not play in the tie. Russian captain Anastasia Myskina cited a shoulder injury as the reason for Sharapova's inactivity. Sharapova was required to be present in that tie in order to fulfill qualification for this summer's Olympic Games in Rio.

Sharapova's agent, Max Eisenbud, was quoted by the Russian media saying she may never play Fed Cup again.

The sixth-ranked Sharapova has been limited to five matches and 11 sets this season. She reached the Australian Open quarterfinals falling to world No. 1 Serena Williams, 6-4, 6-1, in her lone tournament of the season.

A year ago, Sharapova was limited to one match in a four-month span after Wimbledon citing a right forearm and right leg injury. Though she has not set a definitive return date, it is believed Sharapova is planning to return to tournament action at Indian Wells next month.  

The 2013 Indian Wells champion , who owns a home in Southern California, has played the Palm Springs tournament in 12 of the last 13 years. Sharapova lost to Flavia Pennetta in the Indian Wells' round of 16 last year.

Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve