Maria Sharapova, winner of five grand slam events, has pulled out of the US Open tennis championships due to a leg injury.

Sharapova, 28, has not played a match since losing to Serena Williams in the Wimbledon semi-finals in July and withdrew from hardcourt tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati in August, citing a right leg strain.

“Unfortunately, I will not be able to compete in this year’s US Open,” she tweeted.

“I have done everything possible to be ready but it was just not enough time. To all my amazing fans, I will be back in the Asian swing in a few weeks and look forward to finishing the year healthy and strong.”

It marks the second time in three years that the 2006 champion has withdrawn from the year’s last grand slam event.

Her absence robs the US Open of some star power and a possible marquee showdown.

Sharapova, who has won each of the four grand slam tournaments during her career, was seeded to meet top-seeded American world number one Serena Williams in the semi-finals.

Russian Daria Kasatkina is the lucky loser who will replace Sharapova in the main draw.

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