Maria Sharapova is out of Hong Kong, Anna Chakvetadze is in and Martina Hingis may be waiting in the wings.
Sharapova, who was sidelined nearly five months due to a moderate tear in her right rotator cuff tendon, officially withdrew from next week's JB Group Classic in Hong Kong. Sharapova, who has played the Hong Kong exhibition for the past five years, said she just started hitting balls again two weeks ago and has not had "sufficient training" to play the January 7-10 exhibition. Anna Chakvetadze replaces Sharapova in the Hong Kong field.
The reigning Australian Open champion is "hopeful" to play the Melbourne major next month.
"It's with much disappointment that I have to withdraw from Hong Kong. I've been using this event for the last five years to get match fit and ready for the new season, in fact Hong Kong has been successful in preparing me for the Australian Open," Sharapova said. "I am very sorry I won't be competing, and I deeply apologize to my fans and the sponsors that they won't see me there this year. I'm just not ready to play against the top class competition in Hong Kong, although I remain hopeful for Australia where I'm the defending champion. Believe me, it's been a very difficult decision, but I only started practicing 16 days ago. I love playing in Hong Kong, and the organizers attract a world class field."
Hong Kong co-tournament director Terry Catton said, "We're hugely disappointed, who wouldn't be? But we've known Maria for over five years and we know what a tough competitor she is. She wouldn't give up her spot in Hong Kong lightly and we are terribly sad for her. We're particularly disappointed for our sponsors, our fans and all our different partners but we welcome Maria's comments about Hong Kong, we wish her well for the season and look forward to welcoming her back another year. Tennis needs a fit and competitive Maria."
The 18th-ranked Chakvetadze replaces Sharapova in joining seventh-ranked Vera Zvonareva on Team Russia.
Organizers are "in discussions" with Martina Hingis, former World No. 1 in both singles and doubles, to come to the JB Group Classic to compete in the doubles event for Team Europe. Though Hingis was hit with a two-year suspension for testing positive for cocaine at the 2007 Wimbledon that suspension does not apply to exhibition events.
The JB Group Classic is a world team event featuring Europe, Russia, Team Americas and Asia Pacific. Heading up these teams are World No 1 Jelena Jankovic, Wimbledon Champion Venus Williams and crowd favorite Zheng Jie from China. A total of 12 players make up a star-studded field.
