Last Updated: Sat, 03 May 2008 12:59
Maria Sharapova has blasted the WTA for scheduling a photo shoot for her and her fellow professionals ahead of the Italian Open.
The in-form Russian is due to line up with the likes of Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic and the Williams sisters in Rome on May 12, as she continues her preparations for the upcoming French Open at Roland Garros.
The governing body of women's tennis have asked her to do the publicity shoot ahead of the event, after she jets in from the USA, and the three-time Grand Slam winner is incensed that she will not be able to concentrate solely on her tennis, with the WTA taking a heavy-handed approach to the situation.
"The WTA is telling me if I don't do this shoot they will fine me over US$300,000," she told her official website.
"I want all my fans to know that the WTA Tour is forcing me and several of the other top players to do a four-hour commercial shoot for WTA Tour marketing materials.
"They want me to do this shoot on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday of the Rome tournament after flying 12 hours from LA."
And the 21-year-old has made it clear that tennis is her number one priority, with the off-court activities very much second.
"I have set my own personal rules when it comes to doing shoots and I never do shoots before tournaments because they are mentally draining and I want to just focus on my tennis," she added.
"Now the WTA is telling me if I don't do this shoot they will fine me over US$300,000. As you can see the WTA Tour loves to fine players.
"To be honest, I would love to do this and help promote the tour as much as possible, but to force me to do this shoot the day before a Tier I tournament is just not right."