Born: April 19, 1987
Country: Russian
Event: Tennis
Plays: Right-handed
Record (Singles):
2003 Japan Open
2003 Quebec Open
2004 Birmingham Open
2004 Wimbledon Open
Doubles:
2003 Japan Open with Tamarin Tanasugarn
2003 Luxembourg Open with Tamarin Tanasugarn
2004 Birmingham Open with Maria Kirilenko
The 17-year-old Siberian who despite becoming one of the biggest draw cards in women tennis will not be competing at the world's greatest sporting extravaganza. Russia's team, along with every other nation, was picked according to the world rankings on June 14, the cut-off date for the Athens Olympics.
The list contains the names of French Open champion Anastasia Myskina and runner-up Elena Dementieva who are joined by Nadia Petrova and Svetlana Kuznetsova to make up the four singles contingent for Russia.
The chances of Sharapova making to the event is non existent as even if one of these players were to drop out before the beginning of the Games in August, Vera Zvonareva would take the place in the Russian team. Zvonareva was ranked world number 14 to Sharapova's 15 on the cut-off date.
The Olympic rule clearly states that a country can only nominate four players for the Games and because there is no system of wild-card entries the Wimbledon Queen has to accept the role of a spectator.
{{/usCountry}}The Olympic rule clearly states that a country can only nominate four players for the Games and because there is no system of wild-card entries the Wimbledon Queen has to accept the role of a spectator.
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