Maria Sharapova Withdraws from Olympics Because of Shoulder Injury
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Jul 31, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
Maria Sharapova’s lingering shoulder injury has cost her an opportunity to compete for the Olympic gold medal, one of the most prestigious trophies in tennis.
The 2008 Australian Open champion announced on Thursday that she will pull out of next month’s Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Sharapova withdrew from the Rogers Cup Wednesday evening, shortly after completing her second round match against Marta Domachowska.
“After yesterday’s match I knew there was something seriously wrong with my shoulder,” wrote Sharapova on her official website.
“After taking a few different exams and MRI’s this morning, the doctors found two small tears in the tendons of my shoulder. There are so many mixed feelings because last night they were almost positive there was something wrong with my nerve which could have ultimately been much more serious but after the tests this morning, for the first time in a while, they were able to give me a different answer and a different problem. But on the other hand this is something that needs a lot of time to heal, which really hurts me to say that I have to miss the Olympics.”
Sharapova failed to make the Russian Olympic squad in 2004. In her excitement at being named to the team for Beijing, she even offered to carry the flag for Russia during the Opening Ceremony.
“The timing is so unfortunate and this makes me more sad than anything,” continued Sharapova.
Her shoulder injury also places her in doubt for the US Open, which begins on August 25.
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Gave | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
***, i am so sad to hear this! She’s the very reason why i was so eager to watch the Olympics especially the opening ceremony. Anyway, i hope she’ll be totally fit to compete before the US Open starts.
astrid | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
hmmm…this is serious problem for maria..