December 22, 2010
Russian tennis superstar , Three-time Grand Slam champion and Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova could be comeback next month in New Zealand with her first start in Sydney after requesting a wildcard for next month's Medibank International Sydney 2011 being held from January 9. The newly engaged US-based Russian and one of the world’s most photographed athletes Sharapova finished 18th on the WTA for 2010,
Maria will contest the Auckland Classic from January 3-8 before deciding whether or not to round out hr Australian Open preparations in the harbour city before and her appearance will add more star power to an already stunning line-up of stars that includes the world’s top three. - Caroline Wozniacki, Vera Zvonareva and Kim Clijsters – and Australian No. 1 Samantha Stosur.
“I received a message from Maria’s agent asking if a wild card could be held for her if she decides to play the Medibank International Sydney,” Tournament Director Craig Watson said.
"I would love to see her in the draw and so would her legion of fans here in Sydney," Watson said on Wednesday.
"Maria is certainly one of the most popular players in the world, not just in tennis but in all of women’s sport. Russian women players have performed incredibly well at the Medibank International Sydney in the past and I believe the court surface and facilities will be of great benefit to her as she prepares for the Australian Open."
All up, seven of the world's top 10 women's players are venturing to Sydney.
Sharapova was the first Russian woman to be ranked No.1 in the world.
Currently ranked 18th, Sharapova made an impressive comeback this year from career-threatening shoulder surgery, In 2010, Sharapova won titles in Memphis and Strasbourg and was a finalist at Birmingham, Stanford and Cincinnati.
Her three major titles - among a career tally of 22 - came at Wimbledon in 2004, the US Open in 2006 and Australian Open in 2008.
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