Sharapova hits out at Fed Cup 'hassle'

 Maria Sharapova dismissed Fed Cup organisation as a "hassle" and "pointless" on Wednesday despite the tournament being the gateway to the 2016 Olympics.

The Russian superstar, who won a silver medal on her Olympic debut in London in 2012, featured in Russia's first-round Fed Cup win over Poland in February.

However, she pulled out of April's semi-final victory against Germany with a leg injury leaving a question mark over her participation in the November final against the Czech Republic.

"It's just pointless. I had an amazing time playing this year, and I want to play in the future, but the schedule just does not give me any chance to do so," said the world number two.

"As much as I want to be part of it, it's just really a hassle."

To be eligible for the Olympics, a player has to be named in her country's squad at least three times in an Olympic Games cycle.
Sharapova has played just four Fed Cup ties for Russia since her 2008 debut.

"I don't think anyone that's making the Fed Cup schedule is thinking about the players that go far in Grand Slams," added Sharapova, the runner-up at the Australian Open in January.

"They don't understand or appreciate how much mental and physical strength it takes to get to that and schedule a Fed Cup match right after a Grand Slam.

"You just try to put things in the schedule, and it's almost like a Band-Aid in a way. I wish it wasn't so.

"I think it would be much more successful if it actually had a legitimate schedule and maybe not every single year."

Sharapova was talking after reaching the French Open third round on Wednesday with a comfortable 6-3, 6-1 win over Fed Cup teammate Vitalia Diatchenko.

The defending champion goes on to face 2010 runner-up Samantha Stosur for a place in the last 32.

Former US Open winner Stosur breezed past French wildcard Amandine Hesse 6-0, 6-1 in under an hour.

Sharapova beat Stosur in the fourth round last year and holds a healthy career 14-2 advantage over the 31-year-old Australian in a rivalry stretching back 11 years.

"She's always a tough opponent. She enjoys playing on clay, benefits a lot from this surface," said second seed Sharapova.

"It will be a tough match. But I have a pretty good record against her. I enjoy our matches. I hope I can continue that."

Stosur came into Roland Garros having reunited with longtime coach David Taylor and with a solid run to the claycourt title in Strasbourg last weekend.

"Maria is one of the best competitors there is out there," said Stosur.

"She fights from the first point to the last. Doesn't give much away, and when her back is against the wall she keeps swinging and going forward.

"She can make that ball on the line and then all of a sudden get herself back into it."
Source: AFP