Maria Sharapova pulls out of Indian Wells with shoulder injury
Thursday 14 February 2019 14:06, UK
Two-time champion Maria Sharapova will miss next month's BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells due to a right shoulder injury.
The former world No 1 has contested just three events since last summer's US Open, and has been forced to withdraw or retire from two of them.
She reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in January before losing to Ashleigh Barty and then pulled out of her second-round match at the St. Petersburg Ladies' Trophy at the end of January.
"We will miss Maria this year and hope to see her back at Indian Wells next year!" the tournament said on Twitter, confirming the 31-year-old was still not over the problem and will not participate at the event, which she won in 2006 and 2013.
Sharapova's withdrawal allowed German Mona Barthel to secure a spot in the Indian Wells singles draw with the tournament taking place from March 4-17.
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