“It’s Tough for Me to Tell:” Maria Sharapova Opens Up on Retirement Plans after Australian Open 2020 Loss

Maria Sharapova continued her bad run in the Grand Slams as she was eliminated in the first round of a Grand Slam for the third consecutive time at the 2020 Australian Open.

Sharapova ousted to 19th seed Dona Vekic in Tuesday’s first-round match after 31 unforced errors.

After another disappointing exit, Sharapova was asked if this was going to be her last Australian Open, to which she replied: “I don’t know. I don’t know. I was fortunate to get myself to be here and thankfully to Craig (Tiley) and the team, allowing me to be part of this event. It’s tough for me to tell what’s going to happen in 12 months’ time.”

Talking about her defeat, Sharapova did not bring out any excuses and admitted her struggles.

“I mean, I think I’m not the only one — I can speak about my struggles and the things that I’ve gone through with my shoulder, but it’s not really in my character to,” she said.

A struggling Maria Sharapova

For a few years now, Maria Sharapova has struggled to compete among the top tennis players.  She had last won a Grand Slam in 2014 at the Toland Garros. Her major slump began after a 15-month drug ban which in 2016 & 2017. In the last season, she played just 15 games losing seven of them.

Considering she is 33, Sharapova might still have some tennis left in her. However, it remains to be seen whether she can come back from the struggles that she has been going through.