Myskina: Count me out if Sharapova's father's there
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-11-25 09:24

Anastasia Myskina, spearheading Russia's challenge for their first Fed Cup title this week, says she will stop playing for her country if Maria Sharapova, in the company of her father, is invited to join the team next year.

Maria Sharapova of Russia, pictured in an earlier match. [AFP]

"If she (Sharapova) joins our team next season you won't see me there for sure," the French Open champion told reporters after crushing Austria's Patricia Wartusch 6-0 6-0 on Wednesday.

Myskina's win gave hot favourites Russia a commanding 2-0 lead in their Fed Cup semi-final against Austria after day one.

Sharapova has been kept out of this year's team by Myskina and U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, but Russia Fed Cup captain Shamil Tarpishchev said he would welcome the Wimbledon champion next season.

However, Larisa Neiland, Tarpishchev's assistant, said she felt it would be difficult for the 17-year-old to break into the team because of her "nasty father".

"Maria's main problem is her father and I just don't see how he would co-exist with other girls' parents and team officials," six-times grand slam doubles champion Neiland told Reuters.

Russia's Anastasia Myskina reacts after losing a game during her semifinals match of WTA Tour Championships against fellow Russian Maria Sharapova. [Reuters]

Pointing to the season-ending WTA Tour Championships, won by Florida-based Sharapova in Los Angeles, Neiland said: "Every time Maria was playing a Russian girl, her father's behaviour was simply outrageous, nasty and out of control.

"He basically tells everyone 'to get lost'. I just don't see how he could work with the rest of us," she added.

Asked about Neiland's comments, Myskina said: "I'm totally agree with Larisa. I feel his behaviour is totally incorrect, simply rude. I don't want to be around people like him."

After losing to Sharapova in the semi-finals, Myskina said: "He (Yuri Sharapov) was just yelling and screaming instructions to her and I thought he just might jump right on the court at one point in the match."

Sharapov received a warning from the chair umpire for coaching his daughter during the Myskina match.

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