BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the Aegon Classic grass-court tournament in Birmingham, traditionally her only warmup event before Wimbledon.
The 24-year-old Russian, who lost in the semifinals of the French Open, said Friday she would be unable to play because of illness.
Sharapova has played in Birmingham seven times, winning the title twice and reaching the final on two other occasions.
Fellow French Open semifinalist Marion Bartoli of France also pulled out of the tournament, citing an injury, leaving Kaia Kanepi of Estonia as the top-seeded player.
