The Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova has announced that she will not be playing at Wimbledon this year due to a knee injury.
Sharapova, who is currently ranked number 14 in the world, had been expected to make her return to the court after a long absence following a doping ban in 2016.
However, she was forced to withdraw from the tournament last week with a knee injury and said it would be "a long road" to recover before returning to competitive play.
In a statement released on her website, Sharapova expressed her disappointment but also thanked fans for their support during her recovery.
"I am so disappointed to have to pull out of Wimbledon this year," she said. "I've put a lot of hard work into my training over the past few months and I'm really hoping to get back onto the court soon."
Sharapova added that she would continue to work hard towards her comeback and hoped to be able to compete again in the future.
Despite her setback, Sharapova remains determined to achieve her goals and has stated that she will not give up until she returns to the top of the rankings.
Her withdrawal from Wimbledon comes just days after her compatriot Anastasia Rybakina won the women's singles title at the French Open.
Rybakina's victory marked a significant moment for Russian tennis as it came after years of discrimination and abuse against female athletes.
Sharapova's decision to withdraw from Wimbledon may have left many wondering about her future in the sport, but she remains optimistic about her chances of making a comeback.
She told reporters that she was grateful for the support of her fans and friends and that she was looking forward to returning to the court soon.
As she prepares for her comeback, Sharapova's journey will undoubtedly be filled with challenges and setbacks, but she remains undeterred by them and continues to strive for success on the court.