Published: 12 May, 2009, 14:11
Edited: 12 May, 2009, 14:11
It has been a long eight months, but Maria Sharapova is finally making her long-awaited return to the WTA singles tour next week.
The highest earner in women’s sport has been sidelined since last summer with a shoulder injury.
The former world number one, who has now slipped to 65th in the rankings, will swing into action at the Warsaw Open on May 18.
Sharapova will likely compete at the French Open, which starts a week later. The Roland Garros title is the only grand slam the 22-year-old hasn’t won.
The Siberian native did take part in a doubles match a couple of months ago at Indian Wells but withdrew from last week's Madrid Masters citing unreadiness.