Tennis: Sharapova not returning to Auckland

Maria Sharapova in action at the ASB Classic. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Maria Sharapova will not be returning to New Zealand next year, after opting to warm-up for the 2012 Australian Open in Brisbane.

The Russian star was pivotal in pulling big crowds to this year's ASB Classic in Auckland, before crashing out in the quarterfinals to Greta Arn.

She was the best-paid player of Auckland's annual tennis event, reportedly pocketing an appearance fee of just over US$100,000 ($130,000) and US$5340 in prizemoney.

The recent Wimbledon runner-up today confirmed that she will play at the Brisbane International tournament.

"I have never been to Brisbane before and coming into the Australian Open I felt like Brisbane would be a good place for me to start the year," the world No 5 said.

"It is the first tournament of the year and it's kind of where you see where your game is and how good your off-season has been and so you try and get in as many matches as you can before the Australian Open."

The Brisbane International has been running since 2009, with superstars including Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Robin Soderling, Kim Clijsters, Ana Ivanovic and Justine Henin attending over the past three years.

Next year's event has been upgraded by the WTA to premier status, meaning there are now no restrictions on how many top-10 players can feature.

Organisers hope Sharapova will be one of many of the world's top female players contesting the event.

"It is a great first signing for Brisbane International 2012," tournament director Cameron Pearson said.

Prizemoney for the combined ATP/WTA tour event will rise by 63 per cent to $US1.1 million ($NZ1.42 million) in 2012.

This year, prizemoney for Auckland's ASB Classic was $US220,000.

- HERALD ONLINE/AAP