Maria Sharapova Needs to Have a Big 2011 ... for Herself and the Sport

With her shoulder problems seemingly at last behind her, 2011 is the year tennis darling Maria Sharapova should finally reclaim her place among the big hitters of the women's game.

She might have won tournaments in Strasbourg and Memphis in 2010 but the game's glamour girl has looked a spent force in recent seasons after bursting onto the world stage as a teenager.

Now 23, it is over six years since she stole the hearts of the English public as a fresh-faced 17-year-old by winning Wimbledon and, while a US Open and an Australian Open title have followed, it is hardly the return many would have expected from a player of such talent.

Although her focus has at times been questionable, the extent to which injuries have held her back also cannot be underestimated.

She made a solid enough return from major shoulder surgery in the second part of 2009 but 2010 was a year to forget.

The US-based Russian played just 13 tournaments, her best Grand Slam finishes were the last 16 at Wimbledon and the US Open and she ended the year ranked the 18th best player in the world.

She remains the big draw with the crowds but, sadly, it has been more for her looks than her tennis.

That could explain why tournament organisers in Sydney are so keen for her to sign up for the Medibank International following her request for a wildcard there as a warm-up for the Australian Open.

She will compete in the Auckland Classic from January 3-8 before deciding whether or not to play the Sydney hard-court event, which runs from January 9-15.

Tournament director Craig Watson said of the former world No. 1: "I would love to see her in the draw and so would her legion of fans here in Sydney.

"I received a message from Maria's agent asking if a wildcard could be held for her if she decides to play the Medibank International Sydney.

"Maria is certainly one of the most popular players in the world, not just in tennis but in all of women's sport.

"Russian women players have performed incredibly well at the Medibank International Sydney in the past and I believe the court surface and facilities will be of great benefit to her as she prepares for the Australian Open."

It will be two years in January since Sharapova last won a Grand Slam - her Melbourne triumph in 2008.

In that time she has gone backwards rather than the game move forwards.

It is not as though a new generation of tennis stars have emerged to steal her crown - just look at the way Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin have strolled back into the upper echelons of women's tennis.

And, having confirmed her engagement to Slovenian LA Lakers basketball player Sasha Vujacic in October, a big year clearly now awaits the 23-year-old - on and off the court.