Is Maria Sharapova healthy enough to make a run in 2019?

Russian tennis great Maria Sharapova is back on the WTA Tour and ready to prove that she is healthy enough to make a run in 2019.

Maria Sharapova has had a rollercoaster last few years on the WTA Tour. Most recently, she cut her 2018 tour short due to an ongoing shoulder injury. Addressing her shoulder off the courts, Sharapova is now eyeing action at the 2019 WTA Shenzhen Open in China.

A former world number one and five-time Grand Slam singles champion, the 31-year-old Sharapova can never be discounted. If she is on the court and competing, she stands a chance at any tournament.

The 2019 WTA Tour features Romanian tennis star Simona Halep in the world number one position. Other players to watch in the early months include the likes of defending Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki and German veteran Angelique Kerber. These three will need to contend with several rising WTA stars as they strive to remain atop the rankings.

Sharapova, on the other hand, is simply looking for a strong start to the year. She enters the 2019 WTA Tour as the world number 29 in women’s singles tennis.

The former world number one expressed hesitation about her upcoming play at the Shenzhen Open. She is admitting that she will likely not be at her best, but that she also is extremely excited to be back on the courts. Fans are thrilled too. Sharapova is one of the greatest tennis players in the sport and all will be watching her return to the WTA Tour.

With action all around the WTA Tour heating up, Maria Sharapova is one of dozens of players preparing herself for a return to the sport. She is a veteran great and expectations will be high from those watching, but Sharapova must stick to what she knows best. Stay tuned to see how she fares at the Shenzhen Open and check back to follow her progression on tour.