MOSCOW, July 20 (RIA Novosti, Anna Olkhovaya). Russian women's tennis star Mariya Sharapova may join Russia's tennis team next season to play in the Federation Cup.
"I often speak with Mariya, and we have verbally agreed to her participation in the Federation Cup next year," Russian tennis federation president Shamil Tarpishchev said, adding that he is satisfied that Sharapova is scheduled to compete in the Kremlin Cup 2005.
Tarpishchev said Sharapova was not on the national team this year to avoid physical overload.
"If I were her coach, I also would not have permitted her to play in the Federation Cup. This year she is playing in every other tournament. She grew much taller," Tarpishchev said.
