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Maria Sharapova to play in St. Petersburg in 2020

Sharapova will take part in the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy tournament

Maria Sharapova Alexandr Demyanchuk/TASS

Maria Sharapova

© Alexandr Demyanchuk/TASS

ST. PETERSBURG, February 1. /TASS/. Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova is expected to participate in the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy tournament in 2020, tournament Director General and Gazprom Deputy CEO Alexander Medvedev told TASS.

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Russia’s Maria Sharapova listed as candidate for 2019 national tennis team

Sharapova took part in the 2019 tournament but had to withdraw due to a shoulder injury.

"The tournament has been successful, people like it. Just look at the eight players who entered the quarterfinal: they are the best women in tennis, including Petra Kvitova," Medvedev said. "We are very sorry that Masha Sharapova was unable to show her skills because of an injury and had to withdraw. However, her presence drew special attention to the event," he added.

"Personally, I was very pleased to see her professional attitude to her responsibilities beyond the tennis court. Many female players should really learn from Maria. I talked with her after she had suffered an injury and she said she liked St. Petersburg and wanted to come back here. We agreed that she would come and participate in the tournament next year, provided that there are no changes career-wise," Medvedev noted.

The St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy tournament is scheduled to conclude on February 3.

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Maria Sharapova

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