(Reuters) - Former world number one Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from this month's Qatar Open due to a persistent arm injury, the Russian said on Wednesday in a statement from tournament organizers.
The five-times grand slam champion has been troubled by her left forearm since the start of the year when she pulled out of an Australian Open warm-up tournament in Brisbane.
She was also unable to play for Russia in last week's Fed Cup quarter-final defeat by the Netherlands.
"Unfortunately, I will not be able to play the Qatar Total Open because of my left forearm injury," Sharapova said.