Maria Sharapova injury a blow to Aegon Classic's hopes of bumper TV figures
Maria Sharapova injury a blow to Aegon Classic's hopes of bumper TV figures as tournament remains on course for record ticket sales.
Maria Sharapova is set to play in the upcoming Aegon Classic in Birmingham
However the Russian is struggling to be fit and her participation is in doubt
A withdrawal would be a blow to broadcasters Eurosport and attendance figures
By MIKE DICKSON FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 22:38 BST, 9 June 2017 | UPDATED: 00:43 BST, 10 June 2017
Maria Sharapova is said to be struggling to be fit to play in the Aegon Classic a week on Monday.
She has been given a wildcard entry by the LTA but two well-placed sources say the leg injury that forced her to retire during the Italian Open last month is putting her participation in doubt.
Sharapova's absence would come as a huge blow to the Birmingham tournament's organisers and broadcasters, with plans in place to show the Wimbledon warm-up on TV.
Eurosport own the exclusive rights to the event and the Russian would attract a large audience. The Aegon Classic is also on course for record ticket sales.
Sharapova, who won the title in Birmingham in 2004 and 2005, has served a 15-month suspension for taking the banned drug meldonium. She is now ranked 178 in the world.
Wimbledon are believed to be monitoring the situation as she is due to play at their qualifying event at Roehampton the week after.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-4590000/Maria-Sharapova-injury-blow-Aegon-Classic.html
36 minutes ago
Maria Sharapova is to pull out of the Aegon Classic in Birmingham because of injury.
The five-time Grand Slam champion has not played since retiring injured from her second-round match at the Italian Open with a thigh problem on 16 May.
Sharapova, who returned from a 15-month drug ban in April, had been offered a wildcard for the event from 17 June.
The Russian, 30, is due to contest the Wimbledon qualifying competition in Roehampton, which begins on 26 June.
A source told the BBC that official confirmation of Sharapova’s Birmingham withdrawal is expected in the next few days.
Sharapova signed a two-year deal to play in the Birmingham event last month.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/40231544
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Ну собственно как и говорил ещё неделю назад.