Sharapova says she’ll try to play in Korea

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has apologized for her decision to withdraw from an upcoming exhibition match in Seoul against Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark due to an injury, and said she’d try to make an appearance before Korean fans next year, officials said Wednesday.

The match between the two former No. 1-ranked female players, initially set for this Friday, was canceled on Christmas Day after Sharapova ruled herself out of the event with a collarbone injury. Organizers said Sharapova informed them of her status on early Christmas Day, Korean time.

“For everyone in Korea, I’m sorry I had to withdraw from my exhibition match,” Sharapova wrote on her Facebook page.

“I woke up the other day with a neck pain and after doing a few tests, the doctor wants me to take the next few days without any playing. So that leaves me to say I’m sorry not to be there in Seoul and play in front of my fans. I will make it up to you soon.”

According to officials at IMG Korea, the local wing of the player’s agency, Sharapova sent an e-mail saying an MRI taken on Christmas Day revealed inflammation in her collarbone. She also expressed her regret and disappointment at not coming to play in Seoul.

“I know I have the best fans in the world and I was looking forward to playing great tennis for them,” Sharapova wrote in her e-mail, according to IMG Korea. “I am going to work with the promoter and sponsors to find another date [next] year that I can come play in Seoul to make this up to my great fans.”

Yonhap