Russian cutie pie, Maria Sharapova, has announced that she make her long anticipated return to tennis this week in the 2009 WTA Indian Wells tournament at Indian Wells, California, USA March 11-24.
However, it appears she is sneaking in the back door to test out her shoulder. She will not be playing singles, which has been her primary focus the past four years. According to Sharapova’s Official Site, she will be playing doubles with fellow Russian, Elena Vesnina. Vesnina is ranked No. 15 in doubles, whereas Sharapova, who hasn’t played doubles in four years, has no current doubles ranking. Perhaps Sharapova has found someone to carry her.
Sharapova says she is excited to be playing competitive tennis again. She adds, “The healing process takes time, and requires things to move more slowly than I would like, but I am taking things one step at a time. I look forward to playing at (Indian Wells). It is definitely one of my favorite tournaments in the world.”
Time will tell if she is really ready to play this time, or if she will back out again as she has in every tournament so far this year.
Sharapova has been missing from action since last season when she injured her right shoulder. That forced her to miss defending her singles title at the US Open in 2008, and she could not compete for Russia at the Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Sharapova won the singles title at Indian Wells three years ago when she defeated her countrywoman, Elena Dementieva6-1, 6-2 in the final.
