MX23RW : Sunday, April 28 08:37:26| >> :600:256865307:256865307:

Maria Sharapova sparks retirement speculation

Maria Sharapova prompts retirement speculation by announcing a last-minute press conference to make a "major announcement".

Maria Sharapova has sparked speculation that she may retire after calling a last-minute press conference for a "major announcement".

The 28-year-old - currently ranked world number seven - has been dogged with injuries in the last year and has not competed since she exited the Australian Open at the quarter-final stage in January.

According to her management, Sharapova will address the media at 8pm UK time on Monday in Los Angeles but declined to provide more details about the reason for the press conference.

Speaking last Thursday, the Russian said that she is sad to be missing Indian Wells this year but is "anxious" to return to the tournament in 2017.

Sharapova, who holds a career Grand Slam, has a number of business interests - including a range of sweets named 'Sugarpova' - although the last-minute nature of the announcement means that it is unlikely to be related to her non-tennis ventures.

ID:267967: cacheID:267967:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1195:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Venus Williams of the US poses with her trophy after winning the women's singles final match against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic at the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, southern China's Guangdong province on November 8, 2015.
Read Next:
Venus Williams ends Indian Wells boycott
>
Read more about Maria Sharapova Tennis
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!