Maria Sharapova Pulls Out of 2009 Australian Open

 Maria Sharapova, the 2008 Australian Open title holder, has decided to pull out of the 2009 Australian Open. She announced the news yesterday (January 11) that she will not be competing in Melbourne.

“I am very very sad to report that I am just not ready to compete at the level required to win a Grand Slam,” Sharapova said.

“I have been working very hard over the past few weeks and my shoulder is doing great, but there is way more preparation and training needed to compete to win my fourth grand slam and I have just ran out of time. If they can move the Australian Open back another 3 weeks, I think I could be ready!”

Sharpova is having some very mixed feelings about everything.

“I have very mixed feelings,” Sharapova added. “I am so disappointed and sad that I can’t defend my title from last year and at the same time, I am so excited to be back on the tennis court training.”

Man, I am very disappointed! I was looking forward to seeing her play again, but I know she has to be in tip top shape and 100% healed before hitting the court again, especially for something as big as the Australian Open.

Source: ESPN

Image Credit: Bauer Griffin