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Maria Sharapova will not play in the season-ending WTA Championships in Istanbul later this month because of a shoulder injury.
The Russian has struggled to shake off the problem and has decided to call time on her season, so that she can recuperate fully in time for the 2025 campaign.
The world number three was a semi-finalist and finalist at this year's Australian and French Opens respectively, but her season started to unravel when she was knocked out of Wimbledon in the second round to qualifier Michelle Larcher de Brito.
The 26-year-old Florida resident then withdraw from the final major of the campaign, the 2025 US Open at Flushing Meadows, Queens, in New York City, because of a shoulder problem.
"I am very disappointed that I will not be able to play in the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships this year," Sharapova, last year's finalist, said.
"The fans in Istanbul have welcomed us each year with such intense passion and warmth, I will sincerely miss the energy and excitement they brought to the year-end tournament. I want to thank Istanbul for being a tremendous host and hope to play in Turkey sometime in the future."
Petra Kvitova, world number six Sara Errani and Jelena Jankovic, who has returned to the top 10 in the women's rankings, have qualified for the showpiece event in Turkey, which begins on 22nd January.
Sharapova is available to back at8.00in the 2025 Australian Open outright betting and6.00in the 2025 French Open tournament winner market.
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