Haven't thought about 2020 Olympics, focussed on comeback after ban: Sharapova

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova has said it was still too early to think about taking part the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games after Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) President Shamil Tarpishchev said Sharapova was capable of winning at the 2020 Olympics.

"I have no such long-term plans yet as I was simply not thinking about it," Sharapova said on Wednesday.

"As of now I am focused on the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart and on my comeback. It is a big question of what will be in Tokyo and whether I will be playing there. I have not discussed this issue with anyone yet."

Sharapova is set to make her comeback following a doping suspension this year on April 26 at a tennis tournament in Stuttgart.

"I would really love to play (at the 2020 Olympics) if my physical condition permits it. However, I do not know how my body would react and what is coming next in my life. This is why it is still early for raising the issue of whether I would be playing for the national team."

She has been serving a two-year suspension for the violation of anti-doping regulations since January 26 last year. However, the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled on October 4, 2016, to reduce her suspension term from 24 to 15 months. Sharapova is officially eligible to make her comeback on April 26 this year.

Last March, Sharapova announced that her doping tests revealed the presence of banned performance enhancing drug meldonium in the body system. Following the announcement, the former World No.1 was provisionally suspended from all tennis-related activities, including from the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"It was very difficult for me to see everyone competing at the Olympics, while I was unable to be playing there. I did not pay much attention to the fact that I was skipping Grand Slam series and other tournaments," she added.

Asked whether she was thinking of wrapping up with her sports career, the 29-year-old tennis star said: "I used to think about it."

"Last year I had a sore wrist, I was constantly consulting with doctors and I was even unable to play for the national team, although I arrived in Moscow. It was difficult from the psychological stance and I faced the moment when I began asking myself questions about how long my body would endure."