Sharapova forced to withdraw with a forearm injury

A forearm injury has forced Maria Sharapova to withdraw from this year’s Miami Open tennis tournament.

A five-time Grand Slam champion, Sharapova announced the decision Friday.

“I am really sorry that I have to withdraw from one of my favorite tournaments with my left forearm injury,” Sharapova said. “I am doing everything possible to return to the Tour as soon as possible.”

Sharapova was replaced in the main draw by American Jennifer Brady. Sharapova, who was supposed to open play Wednesday, has never won the Miami Open. Qualifying play begins Monday in Key Biscayne.

“I know how much Maria wanted to play Miami this year, so I can imagine her disappointment,” Miami Open tournament director James Blake said. “We were looking forward to seeing her play Wednesday, but unfortunately injuries are part of the game. We hope she recovers quickly and is back on the court soon.”

Even without Sharapova, the tournament features several superstars. No. 1 ranked Simona Hale, reigning Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, seventime Grand Slam winner Venus Williams and U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens are in the women’s field.

On the men’s side, Roger Federer, Juan Martin del Potro, Novak Djokovic and Marin Cilic are among the competitors.

The Miami Open is mandatory for the top players on the ATP and WTA tours, unless they are injured or meet specific criteria about the number of tournament or Grand Slam victories, which applies to few players.