Former world number one Maria Sharapova pulled out of next week's Miami Masters on Sunday.

The Russian, who underwent surgery on her injured right shoulder last year, had hoped to play singles for the first time in Florida since August last year and had warmed-up for a return by playing in doubles at the Indian Wells WTA event last week.

But the 21-year-old, who missed the US Open and Beijing Olympics in 2008 as well as this year's Australian Open, has decided the shoulder needs more rest.

"I am still not ready to play seven consecutive matches and will have to withdraw from the Sony Ericsson Open which is one of my favorite tournaments of the year," said Sharapova.

(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2009)