Sharapova needs Fed Cup experience to qualify for the Olympics
|
Teenager Maria Sharapova could make her Fed Cup debut for Russia in April as the country moves to ensure she can play in the Athens Olympics in August.
Fellow teenage prodigies Dinara Safina and
Svetlana Kuznetsova could also face Australia in the World Group tie.
Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpishchev said the trio needed Fed Cup experience to be eligible for the Olympics.
"We want all three, Sharapova, Safina and Kuznetsova, to be eligible for the Athens Olympics," said Tarpischev.
Sharapova, 16, has already established herself by winning two WTA titles, reaching Wimbledon's fourth round in 2003 and the third round of the Australian Open earlier this year.
Kuznetsova, 18, also has two WTA titles to her credit.
~RS~a~RS~Domestic~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~47~RS~){kind=small}
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version