Maria Sharapova to Miss Tokyo Olympics 2020 – Sparks Retirement Rumors

Olympic medallist, Maria Sharapova will be missing the Tokyo Olympics 2020 as she confirms her appearance at Orange County Breakers in the US. It will take place during the Tokyo Games from 28 to 29 July 2020.

“I’m excited to be back with the Breakers again,” Maria Sharapova announced her participation in Newport Beach. “The competition in World Team Tennis is always strong and I am looking forward to playing in the team format again.”  She will make her ninth season appearance at World Team Tennis, Newport Beach, USA.

Her decision to prefer other events during the Olympics certainly triggers that the 2012 London Olympics’ silver medallist, Sharapova might announce her retirement in the near future. She still has some chances to qualify for the quadrennial event but she opts to stay out. The tennis world is anticipating her announcement in 2020. 

However, before the US Open 2019, the five-time Grand Slam champion, Sharapova appointed a new coach, Riccardo Piatti in her team. A few weeks ago, he gave a statement that Sharapova is all set to ace once again on the professional courts of tennis.

“Maria Sharapova is Ready To Attack Again”- Coach Riccardo Piatti

World Number 132, Sharapova had a decent beginning of 2019 and reached the fourth round of Australian Open, but her season had a downward slope after the Melbourne major. The major part of the year 2019 she was tackling with a shoulder injury. Sharapova won two matches on the WTA Tour after she came back from her prolonged injury hiatus. 

Towards the end of the 2019 season, Sharapova withdrew from Linz Open and Luxembourg Open due pertaining to her injuries issues.

Before beginning the North American hard-court summer season, she split with her coach, Thomas Hogstedt. She trained under Hogstedt since 2018 and before that, Sharapova trained with him from 2011 to 2013. He supported her to complete her Career Slam reverie at the Paris major in 2012. 

In December, Mari Sharapova is scheduled to play Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, UAE.