Sharapova on 2020 season: it will be tough to lock in a "set schedule"

Maria Sharapova says she is fully committed to still playing on tour, though notes it will be difficult to have a "set schedule" because of injury problems.

On Thursday, the five-time Grand Slam champion defeated Ajla Tomljanovic at the Mubadala Tennis Championships exhibition in Abu Dhabi. It was the Russian's first appearance on court since the US Open, where she fell in the first round to Serena Williams.

Sharapova previously attempted to play in Linz but withdrew with ongoing shoulder issues, which she says will also affect the amount she plays next season. She played just eight events in 2019.

"I think that will be one of the biggest challenges for the new year, is to have a set schedule," she said, as quoted by AFP. "I definitely look forward to going to Australia and seeing how things go, see how the body holds up there."

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Sharapova began the season with a positive showing at the Australian Open, reaching the fourth round, but then had to withdraw during the following week at St. Petersburg and did not play again until the grass-court swing. She also had a delayed start to the hard-court season, where she was still hampered by shoulder issues.

But the 32-year-old is known for her competitive toughness and is still eager to play on tour.

"I think you see it when I am on the court, when I do have the chance to compete, I really enjoy being there. I really have a great purpose for what I do," she said.

Though she's found it tough to build momentum on court, Sharapova indicated she is still training hard and has been working with veteran coach Riccardo Piatti.

"The start and stopping was one of the most challenging parts of the year as well, just when you think I got going a little bit I had to tone it down and stop and then just keep training," she said. "Although it seems I haven't played, actually I've been working a lot."

Sharapova is No. 131 in the rankings.