I've got to say, when news broke last week that Russian Fed Cup captain Shamil Tarpischev was not going to invite world No.2 and Russian No.1 Maria Sharapova to the finals in September, I was a little bamboozled. OK, I can understand and respect that he was going to give priority to the players who worked so hard to get them into finals, but to completely dismiss your country's best player is, frankly, a little odd.

Tarpischev was reported to have said that it wouldn't be right to invite Sharapova, (who missed the two previous rounds of Fed Cup, due to a recurring injury) stating that he was going to stick to the original line-up that won the semi-final tie against USA. But he then revealed he would invite former US Open Champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, who also missed the semi-final tie due to an injury.

Tarapischev's decision looked a little sketchy. I suppose Russia are fortunate enough to have so many players to chose from, but I couldn't understand when you have the world No.2 making herself available, why would you completely dismiss her? Isn't competitive sport all about winning? It just sounded a little unprofessional, which is not something you would usually associate with Russian tennis.

'It just sounded a little unprofessional, which is not something you would usually associate with Russian tennis'


So I wasn't surprised today when I logged into Sharapova's website, www.mariasharapova.com , to find her side of the story. Sharapova states that she spoke to Tarpischev and he told her that she was always invited to play. The conspiracy which surrounded him saying otherwise was him being "misquoted" by the media. She continues to state that she is making herself available, but understands if he decides to chose the original line-up. She ends her statement by saying either way she will be cheering for Russia.

It looks like Tarapischev has got some important decsions ahead of him. Does he stay loyal to the lesser-ranked players who brought their country to the final? Or does he go for the dream line-up which would include Sharapova, Kuznetsova, Nadia Petrova and Anna Chakvetadze? No doubt there will be some unhappy bunnies this September. But that's sport isn't it?