Tennis: Maria Sharapova is not concerned by her lack of preparation for the Australian Open after playing just one exhibition tournament ahead of the first grand slam of the year.
The 19-year-old 2006 semi-finalist decided just to participate in the Watsons Water Challenge exhibition in Hong Kong ahead of the Melbourne event, which begins on Monday, while other players have opted to play in the Medibank International.
World number five Kim Clijsters, who beat Sharapova 6-3 7-6 (10-8) in the final of the Watsons Water Challenge, and defending Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo are all stepping up their preparations at the Sydney event which finishes two days before the start of the Open.
But the 2006 US Open champion, whose build-up for last year's Australian Open were plagued by injury, insists she is happy with her preparation.
"Considering last year I didn't play anything and I didn't know if I was going to be playing at the Australian Open, and I got to the semi-final, I think it's been pretty good," said Sharapova.
"I have had one of the best off-seasons training wise I have had in a couple of years. The last few I have been injured and I have not been able to work on too many things, but I've been happy with my off-season this year.
"I also never like to play a tournament a week before a grand slam, If you do get to the final of that tournament you basically have to play four or five matches and then in two days you have to play a grand slam which is over a two-week period of seven matches and I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet.
"Also after the Austrian Open I'm going to Tokyo, that's another tournament and you are already on the road for five weeks and I think that's plenty." PA