Sharapova and Myskina to miss Russia's Fed Cup
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-09 08:52

INDIAN WELLS, California, March 8, (Reuters) - Maria Sharapova and Anastasia Myskina will skip Russia's forthcoming Fed Cup tie against Belgium.

Speaking from the Pacific Life Open, where she is the third seed, former Wimbledon champion Sharapova said she does not feel in good enough shape to compete in the tie on clay in Liege.

"My body is just not ready after two tough tournaments to go and play Fed Cup," said Sharapova, who has yet to play for Russia despite claims that she eventually intends to.

"It's my own personal decision and I'm not going to be influenced by what anyone else does. I won't be forced into it. My body just isn't ready to go from hard courts to clay courts that quickly."

Following the Pacific Life Open Sharapova and Myskina will be competing at the NADDAQ-100 in Miami.

Former French Open champion Myskina, who inspired Russia to the 2004 Fed Cup title, told Reuters that she has decided to skip Fed Cup all together this year.

"It's too much for me," she said. "This year I want to play for myself. I've played every time they asked me to play again, but it's been too much now."

Justine Henin-Hardenne and Kim Clijsters have both said they will play for Belgium in the April tie, the first time they have teamed up together since 2003.

Elena Dementieva, who led Russia to the Fed Cup crown last year, said she will play, as will Nadia Petrova who won in Qatar last week.