Linz (Austria) (AFP)
Maria Sharapova, who gave up the tournament in Linz (Austria) this week with a recalcitrant right shoulder, could return next week to Luxembourg but wants to be "healthy" for next season.
"I'm in no hurry, the main goal is to be in good health, get back to work and play a full season in 2020," said the 32-year-old Russian star on the sidelines of the Linz tournament.
The former world N.1, winner of five major tournaments (including two Roland-Garros), said it could "play next week" in Luxembourg but it could also "need a little more than time".
"I'm going to test my shoulder by playing training sets," said Sharapova, away from the courts from February to June due to a sore shoulder operation.
The Russian star made his comeback in the grass season, but failed to win two consecutive victories. She dropped to 137th place, but she stayed on a severe loss (6-1, 6-1 in 59 minutes) in the opening round of the US Open against Serena Williams.
"The shoulder has been my weakest link for a number of years, and this season it went really bad, I could not play most of the year," said the former world No.1 who had been suspended for fifteen months for meldonium doping between 2016 and 2017.
"But these are the highs and lows that an athlete has to overcome, I'm determined to become better again, there is no limit to what the will can achieve," she added.
© 2019 AFP