Maria Sharapova has expressed her disappointment at not being able to play in the season-ending WTA Championships.
The 26-year-old had already qualified for the eight-woman event in Istanbul but has been forced to withdraw as she has yet to regain fitness from a right shoulder problem.
The four-time Grand Slam winner was forced to withdraw from the US Open back in August due to the injury and she has not played competitively since.
Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Agnieszka Radwanska and Li Na had already booked their spot in Turkey, with Petra Kvitova, Sara Errani and Jelena Jankovic now joining the quartet.
There is still one place up for grabs and it seems likely that German ace Angelique Kerber will fill it, with a disappointed Sharapova vowing to return to the Turksh capital in the coming years.
“I am very disappointed that I will not be able to play in the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships this year,” she 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.”
via Sharapova pulls out of Istanbul finale | Tennis – EatSleepSport.