PARIS, February 10 – Russian superstar Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the WTA Paris Open tournament due to illness.
She had been due to make her entrance in the indoor competition on Thursday.
The world number 13 has been suffering from a throat infection since the weekend and consulted a doctor on Thursday morning before deciding to pull out, having been granted a place in the draw as a wild card.
"I’ve really done everything to be ready, but unfortunately, I’m unable to play," Sharapova said in a statement.
"I want to apologise to my fans and to thank the tournament for having been so understanding and supporting me."
Sharapova has been replaced by ‘lucky loser’ Stephanie Cohen-Aloro of France, who will take on America’s Bethanie Mattek-Sands on Thursday afternoon.
