Maria Sharapova always seems to make big headlines, usually for the right reasons. But humiliating defeats and a shoulder injury has truly derailed the Russian. But how has the year panned out for the magnificent Maria?

It all started with the beautiful return of Serena Williams, where Maria was blown to bits in the Australian Open final. January also marked the unfortunate shoulder injury, which continues to plague Sharapova to this very day. Despite some great results, including the French Open semi-final, disaster struck everywhere.

Another crushing defeat to Serena in Miami; embarrassing defeats in her many title defences; annihilated  by Venus Williams at Wimbledon and her latest upset at the US Open. The shoulder injury has forced Sharapova to significantly tone down on her service action, the very serve that bought her two Grand Slams. The frustrating shoulder injury could have motivated and created Maria’s devastating 2007, but no one, including Maria, can use the injury as an excuse for her defeats at the hands of the Williams sisters.

'Despite some great results, including the French Open semi-final, disaster struck everywhere'


The critics also had a ball at Maria's expense. First came the confidence issues. Many people, including myself,  thought that the bludgeoning by Serena at the Australian Open had struck Sharapova’s confidence down. There was also heavy fire from Russia. Sharapova was accused of deliberately failing to make her Fed Cup debut. The argument flared as Maria didn’t participate against the USA. But Sharapova has built some bridges with Russia, as she attended the Fed Cup final, as a practice partner.

After winning her first title of the year in San Diego. Maria looked back on top of her game; she also reached the semi-final in Los Angeles where she retired with injury. Following the same North American script last year, should have lead the Russian to her second consecutive US Open crown. But it did anything but that, as the Russian suffered another unexpected defeat, this time to Polish pride, Agnieszka Radwanska. Her 6-4 1-6 6-2 defeat was one heck of a shock, especially after her flawless first two rounds.

Now Sharapova is once again working on a comeback. She is bidding to play in Stuttgart, Germany. Her doctor told her that a full recovery of her shoulder could occur if she took a few weeks off. And Maria has maintained her break, as she didn’t use her shoulder at all, which has stripped her of her serve. Maria needs to gear up for huge title defences in Linz and Zurich.

Can Maria rescue her career and hit the heights again? Post your comments below or submit an article to Sportingo.