Update: As of 1/27, Sharapova has decided to play and is on Russia's Fed Cup roster for their match against the Netherlands, completing her Olympic Eligibility
After her 18th consecutive loss to Serena Williams in this year’s Australian Open quarterfinals, Maria Sharapova revealed that she is still dealing with a forearm injury, one that forced her to withdraw from a warm-up tournament in Brisbane earlier in 2016. Because of her desires to rest her injury, she has opted not to play in Russia’s next Fed Cup, or Federation Cup, match against the Netherlands in Moscow on February 6th and 7th. In a story first reported by NBC Sports, this decision may cost the world number five a spot on her nation’s team for the upcoming Olympics, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro in August.
Sharapova’s First Priority Is Recovering From Arm Injury
After her loss to Serena in Melbourne, the 28-year-old and five-time Grand Slam champion brought new light to her injury concerns, as well as how it will affect her going forward. “I’m going to go and take care of my forearm first,” she said Tuesday. “I think that’s really important. I’m going to go to Moscow be part of the team. I don’t think I’ll be playing. Then I’m not sure.”
Sharapova continued, adding that she is more concerned with the rest of her season. “I think this will be a time to just get myself ready for a long year,” she said. “I don’t see myself playing anything before Indian Wells” (Which takes place in March).
Sharapova Must Compete On Fed Cup Team To Gain Olympic Eligibility
According to Russia’s tennis federation boss, Shamil Tarpishchev, Sharapova must participate on the Russian Fed Cup Team to gain Olympic eligibility. In a comments made to the Russian news agency TASS, Tarpishchev noted, “If she withdraws from playing with Netherlands and we lose the match she will not play at the Olympics.” This is where this whole situation gets delicate.
Russia will automatically have another Fed Cup match in April, win or lose against the Netherlands in February. Tarpishchev has made it clear that for the Russian number one to gain eligibility by playing in April, Russia needs to defeat the Netherlands, making that April event meaningful.
If Sharapova wants to compete at the Olympics she has to play for Russia in the Fed Cup,” Tarpishchev said. “That’s the rule, and she needs either to play against Netherlands or in Russia’s next Fed Cup match, if we manage to go through.”
For Sharapova's sake, Russia is heavily favored against the Netherlands, who only has one player ranked inside of the top 100, whereas the Russian team has six (excluding Sharapova), all of whom are ranked higher than the top Dutch player, Kiki Bertens, who sits at number 95 in the world.
ITF Officials Reiterate Sharapova’s Obligation To Play Fed Cup
In email from the ITF, or International Tennis Federation, a top offical has backed up previous comments made by Tarpishchev. In its email, the ITF official wrote, “In order to complete her eligibility for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Maria Sharapova must be part of the final nominated Russian team.”
However, unlike Tarpishchev’s comments, the ITF made it clear that Sharapova’s eligibility is not tied to Russia’s fate against the Netherlands. “She does not need to contest a rubber; however, she must be present at the tie,” the official added. “If she chooses not to join the team for the first round, she will have the opportunity to meet the Olympic criteria again in the semifinals and playoffs in April.” Unlike Tarpishchev’s comments, the ITF has made it clear that if Sharapova competes in April, no matter Russia's result in February, she will gain Olympic eligibility. This could boil into a larger issue.
A Russian Loss Could Bring Intriguing Controversy
Should Russia lose to the Netherlands in early February, and Sharapova does indeed play for the Fed Cup team in April, an interesting fight could arise between Russia and the ITF. The ITF has made it clear that Sharapova’s playing in at least one event qualifies her eligibility, whereas Russia wishes for her eligibility to be tied to playing in a meaningful event.
It would be an odd site if the five-time Grand Slam champion and superstar player is missing from the team, as the Russian number one has been a fixture on the Russian Olympic teams. She carried the Russian flag at the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony and was among the final torch bearers at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Opening Ceremony. In the mean time, however, Sharapova will rest her forearm injury as she roots her team on in Moscow, from the sidelines.