Maria Sharapova is appearing as a doubles player in Russia's tie against the Netherlands this weekend at the Fed Cup. Her agent, Max Eisenbud, spoke to commentator Vladas Lasitskas and discussed various aspects of the Russian's game, including her current form and her future. He told Eurosport that this would most likely be the last time that Sharapova represents her country at the Fed Cup.

This is not surprising, as Sharapova has seldom arrived on the Fed Cup circuit to play ever since the 2012 Olympics. In total, she has only played two ties, and this will be her third since the London Olympics. Eisenbud assured however, that the end of her Fed Cup commitment does not mean that she will be cutting her career short by any means.

Matej Divizna/Getty Images
Matej Divizna/Getty Images

Eisenbud Speaks

He stressed on the importance of her wellbeing, health, and of her staying injury free. "In order to play, she needs to be healthy. For this to happen, she will need to listen to the voice of her body, to the advice of doctors... But if her health is not good, it is unlikely that she will remain on the tour," he stated.

There are currently concerns in Sharapova's camp that she has been hampered by a shoulder injury; she will be in Germany next week to receive treatment to get back to full form.

Moreover, Eisenbud was critical of the format of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) event, and had a lot to say about what needs to be changed to attract a bigger audience to the Fed Cup, after saying that the ITF is run but "dinosaurs".

“In my view, the Federation Cup should be held every two years. The top four or eight teams should be collected in one place, and let them play the title as part of the Final Four or the Final Eight... Sometimes I turn on the TV and see a Fed Cup match, there are half-empty stands. And it’s terrible. Therefore the ITF needs to get back to reality,” he said.

The newly-elected president of the ITF, David Haggerty, feels similarly about the format of the Davis Cup, which indicates that we might be seeing a change soon in the way these titles are played.