Defending French Open champion Maria Sharapova "called for a change in schedule for the Fed Cup on Wednesday, saying playing ties after grand slam tournaments was 'pointless,'" according to Martyn Herman of REUTERS. Sharapova skipped Russia's Fed Cup semifinal against Germany last month -- a decision that "proved wise" as she enjoyed a strong run in Madrid, where she reached the semifinals, and in Rome, where she claimed the title.
She is "committed to the Fed Cup team." However, she said that "it can be a hassle though." Sharapova: "It's more the timing of the events that are just really unfortunate. I have been very vocal about it. I don't think anyone's that's making the Fed Cup schedule is thinking about the players that go far in grand slams." She added, "To schedule a Fed Cup match right after a grand slam -- it's just pointless, in my opinion." She even suggested the Fed Cup should not be held every year. Sharapova: "I think it would be much more successful if it actually had a legitimate schedule and maybe not every single year" (REUTERS, 5/27)
