Sharapova's Injury Woes Continue Into 2012

(December 24, 2011) With a week to go before the new year, if World No. 4 Maria Sharapova were to make a New Year’s resolution, it would be to stay healthy in 2012. Unfortunately she is off to the wrong foot, literally, as she announced her withdrawal from the Brisbane International citing the ankle injury that she sustained in Tokyo.

This was to be the first year that Sharapova had competed in Brisbane, the premier-level alternative to Sharapova’s 2011 Australian Open tune up, the international-level ASB Classic in Auckland. This year was actually the first year that Sharapova had played any tournament before the first major of the year.

The lack of match play before the Australian Open had not hindered the Russian in previous years as she made the semifinal round or better four straight years including the title in 2008. She was forced to miss the major in 2009 due to a recurring shoulder injury and was bounced in the first round of 2010, prompting the decision to play Auckland at the beginning of 2011.

Despite playing in only 15 tournaments, more than only two players inside the top 100, Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters, Sharapova compiled a 43-14 record with two titles and an appearance in the final at Wimbledon. This season marked the first time that Sharapova ended the year inside the Top 5 since 2007.