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Hot Rankings for Celebrity Maria Sharapova Include: Named #19 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005) Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2005. Named #8 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006). Ranked #17 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list. Maria Yuryevna Sharapova, Russian, professional, tennis player.

DOUBT surrounds the long-term future of Maria Sharapova after she succumbed to a shoulder injury and withdrew from the Australian Open. Sharapova, 21, has not played since August, having unsuccessfully tried to cope with the problem since March - and undergoing surgery in October. The US-based Russian contacted Open officials yesterday, conceding she had lost the battle to defend the crown she claimed a year ago. The right shoulder has already cost Sharapova appearances at the US Open, Olympic Games, Sony Ericsson Tour world championships and the No. 1 ranking. "I am very, very sad to report that I am just not ready to compete at the level required to win a grand slam," Sharapova said. "I have been working very hard over the past few weeks and my shoulder is doing great, but there is way more preparation and training needed to compete to win my fourth grand slam and I have just run out of time. "If they can move the Australian Open back another three weeks, I think I could be ready. "I have very mixed feelings. "I am so disappointed and sad that I can't defend my title from last year and, at the same time, I am so excited to be back on the tennis court training. "After spending a majority of the last few months in Phoenix (and) Scottsdale, it's been nice to spend some time at home with a normal regime of waking up and going to practise. "I want to thank all my fans for their support, especially all my fans in Australia. I promise I will be there next year." Sharapova's injury is a huge blow to the Open, which until recently had a near-perfect entry of star women.