'Still a lot of fire': Sharapova accepts Brisbane wildcard

Former world number one Maria Sharapova said Tuesday she still h "a lot of fire" as she attempts to resurrect her career after an injury-plagued 2019. five-time major winner will open her 2020 campaign in Brisbane after being awarded a wildcard by organisers in preparation for Australian Open later in January.

RE | Maria Sharapova Returns To Action In Brisbane

'Still a lot of fire'

"To be fair when I was younger I never saw myself playing past 30," 32-year-old Russian told reporters in Brisbane.

"But I still feel re is a lot in me to give. I still have a lot of fire in me and I am big competitor." 

RE | Kei Nishikori Out Of Australian Open With Elbow Injury

Sharapova has t played since a first-round loss to career-long rival Serena Williams at US Open in August. She has slipped to 133 in world rankings after a 2019 season ruined by a shoulder injury which limited her to 15 competitive matches. "As long as shoulder stays healthy and my body allows me to, I hope re is a lot of time left for me," she said.

RE | Alexander Zverev Calls Roger Federer 'old' In Hilarious Banter

Sharapova won Brisbane title in 2015 and joins a high-class field for next week's event spearheed by Australia's world number one Ashleigh Barty and Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka. World number two Karolina Pliskova is also playing as are fellow top 10 stars Elina Svitolina, Petra Kvitova and Kiki Bertens. "It's a fresh start after a tough last season," said Sharapova. "re were a lot of ups and downs, re were times when I was rey but shoulder wasn't. "But I have h a fairly good off season and I am motivated to compete. At this point in my career when I have that feeling, it's a good sign."  Brisbane International begins on January 6, with Sharapova n scheduled to play Kooyong Classic exhibition event  in Melbourne before opening grand Slam of year from January 20. 

RE | Roger Federer Pokes Fun At Himself After Winning GQ Most Stylish Man Of Dece Award