Melbourne: Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova's preparations for the Australian Open have suffered a major setback.
The 18-year-old Russian has been forced to withdraw from the Australian women's hard court tournament on the Gold Coast because of a shoulder injury.
Sharapova had suffered the injury in the second half of the season and failed to add to her 2004 Wimbledon title.
Sharapova reached at least the quarterfinals at all 15 events she played - falling to the eventual champion at all four majors - and briefly became the first Russian-born player to reach No. 1 in the world.
The January 2-7 event is an important warm-up and Sharapova has admitted she may not be fit for the opening grand slam on January 16.
"I am very disappointed to have to withdraw because my right shoulder is not yet ready to allow me to compete at the tour level," said the world No. 4.
"The number one priority for me at this time is getting 100 per cent healthy to compete again," she added.
Sharapova reached the semifinals at three of the four grand slam tournaments in 2005 and won three WTA Tour titles.
Former world number one Martina Hingis is returning from retirement at the Gold Coast tournament. The Swiss will also play the Sydney tournament before the Australian Open.
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