Former world number one female tennis player Maria Sharapova will begin her 2020 campaign in Brisbane for which the organizers have given her a wild card. The 32-year-old Russian player has not played in any tournament after losing in the first round to her arch rival Serena Williams at the US Open in August.

Sharapova said in a video message on Instagram, "Hi Brisbane, I missed you so much and I am very excited to start my season in your tournament and your city." Sharapova struggled with a shoulder injury in the 2019 season and was able to play only 15 competitive matches. This pushed her to 133rd place in the world rankings. She won the Brisbane Open title in 2015. This time the tournament will start on Monday.

Sharapova said, "To be fair when I was younger I never saw myself playing past 30. But I still feel there is a lot in me to give. I still have a lot of fire in me and I am big competitor. As long as the shoulder stays healthy and my body allows me to, I hope there is a lot of time left for me " The Russian's world ranking has plummeted to No133 due to her injury woes. And she faces arguably the ultimate fitness test at the Brisbane International starting on 6 January.