Maria Sharapova’s injury woes continue. The former World No.1 and five-time major champion has played just 61 matches since she returned from her infamous doping ban in 2017—and that number won’t be rising any time soon. The Russian announced that she’ll miss the BNP Paribas Open in March due to a shoulder issue.

Unfortunately, Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from #BNPPO19 due to a right shoulder injury.

With her withdrawal, Mona Barthel moves into the main draw. We will miss Maria this year and hope to see her back at Indian Wells next year! pic.twitter.com/HfMl66KgqE

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) February 13, 2019

Sharapova has gone 42-19 in those 61 matches since she has returned to the tour in 2017.



She has one title and four semi-finals to her name since then. Sharapova has struggled with the shoulder for quite some time. She cut her 2018 campaign short in mid-September due to shoulder injuries as well, and the shoulder has bothered her periodically over the last decade. She originally has surgery on the shoulder in 2008

Sharapova at the Australian Open: "I have spoken about my shoulder openly in the last few weeks, months, years. It's definitely been an issue for the majority of last year and going into this year, as well. It's a pain-management type of thing. I'm still working through it."

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) February 13, 2019