World number two Maria Sharapova has pulled out of next week's Italian Open in Rome with a shoulder injury, the tournament organisers said.
The 20-year-old Russian, whose best result at the claycourt event was a semi-final finish in 2005, has not played since losing 6-1 6-1 to Serena Williams in Miami in March.
She also missed last year's Rome tournament due to a foot injury.
She told her official website www.mariasharapova.com: 'I am going to have to pull out of Rome. My body is slowly getting better, but in no way will I be ready to play in Rome.
'It is such a shame because I like playing in Rome and I have to pull out two years in a row.
'I just want to let my fans know that I am doing everything possible to be ready to play the French Open.'
Top seed Justine Henin did not enter the Italian Open, leaving third-seeded Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo as the top-ranked player for next week’s competition.
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