Maria Sharapova has been forced to pull out of Russia's Fed Cup semi-final against Germany due to a leg injury.
The world number two has not played since a shock defeat to Daria Gavrilova at the Miami Open in March and had been focusing her attentions on representing her country.
But the five-time grand slam winner has announced she does not feel ready to compete against Germany this weekend.
"My team and I specially changed my timetable so that I could represent my country in the semi-final," Sharapova said in a Russian Tennis Federation statement.
"However, unfortunately I picked up a leg injury and it did not allow me to be in the best condition to get ready for this tie.
"I need to be at the top of my game in order to help my team and play to the best of my ability in the Fed Cup semi-finals against such strong opponents.
"Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to prepare."
Russia team coach Anastasia Myskina, who has called up Vera Zvonareva as Sharapova's replacement, added: "We were in contact with Maria and her team.
"I know that she did her best to recover after an injury, but currently she's not ready to play."
Source: PA
