Five-time major winner Maria Sharapova has been forced to pull out of the Austrian tournament because of shoulder problems.

LINZ, Austria – Maria Sharapova has been forced to withdraw from the Upper Austria Ladies Linz tournament due to a shoulder injury.

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The Russian, who has completed a career Grand Slam by winning all of the majors at least once, has not played competitive tennis since her first-round exit at the US Open, where she was defeated 6-1, 6-1 by rival Serena Williams.

“Of course I’m very sorry that Maria can’t come to Linz but I understand because the health of the player has to have priority,” tournament director Sandra Reichel said.



Bad news for all @MariaSharapova fans. 🤕

The Porsche Brand Ambassador has withdrawn from @WTALinz due to shoulder issues.

Get well soon, Maria! 🤞🏼#porschetennis pic.twitter.com/S64r61WaP4 — Porsche Tennis (@PorscheTennis) October 3, 2019

The International indoor hard court event, which will run from October 7-13, still retains an impressive field, with eight of the world’s Top 32 players present, headed by Top 10 stars Petra Kvitova, who is the No.1 seed and champion in 2011, and Belinda Bencic.

Additionally, Italian No.1 Camila Giorgi will be back to defend the crown she won 12 months ago by defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-3, 6-1 in the final.

Teenage sensation Coco Gauff, the WTA World No.111, is set to compete in the qualifiers for the tournament, with the 15-year-old having last taken to the court at the US Open, where she made a run to the third round before being stopped by Naomi Osaka. Having already received three wildcards during 2019, she is not eligible for a pass to go straight into the main draw.

Jessica Pegula and Marketa Vondrousova have also been forced to withdraw from the tournament due to injury, replaced by Lesia Tsurenko and Tashkent champion Alison Van Uytvanck respectively.