The five-time Grand Slam winner has not played since her quarter-final defeat to Serena Williams in Melbourne last month, although she was included in Russia’s squad for the Fed Cup last weekend, reports Xinhua.
“Unfortunately, I will not be able to play the Qatar Open because of my left forearm injury,” the 28-year-old said in a statement released by Qatar Tennis.
“I would like to wish the tournament and all the great fans in Doha a great week of tennis and I hope to see them next year.”
Sharapova has won in Qatar twice — in 2005 and 2008 — and was a semi-finalist in her last appearance in 2013.
The Qatar Open, with a prize money of $2,517,250, will be played between February 21 and 27 this year. (IANS)