Maria Sharapova, Madison Keys withdraw from Birmingham

ByReuters

Updated 14/06/2018 at 06:42 GMT

Maria Sharapova and Madison Keys have withdrawn from next week's Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham as they look to regain full fitness ahead of Wimbledon.

Maria Sharapova reacts at Wimbledon

Image credit: Getty Images

Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, said she needed rest after reaching the French Open quarter-finals.

The 31-year-old Russian served a doping ban in 2016 and was forced to skip the grass-court season last year with a thigh injury.

05/12/2022 at 17:36

"I need to take care of my body and make sure I stay healthy," Sharapova said in a statement.

"Sometimes that means you have to take tough decisions like this one."

American Keys, 23, will miss the Birmingham event due to an abdominal injury.

28/09/2022 at 16:33

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