Maria Sharapova is confident that an extended break after Wimbledon will help her challenge for titles in the remainder of the season.
Sharapova, the world No. 2, hasn't played competitively since losing to eventual champion Serena Williams in the semifinals at SW19, and missed the Rogers Cup in Toronto last week citing a right-leg strain as the reason for her absence.
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The Russian will return to action at the Western & Southern Open — an event she won in 2011 — in Cincinnati this week as part of her preparations for the U.S. Open, and believes her recuperation from a tough run in Europe will prove an advantage in the coming months.
"I'm feeling quite well. I always enjoy the little break after Wimbledon. I always give myself a little chance to regroup, it's kind of the middle of the year and a long time on the road with the European trip so it's just nice to settle into a normal life," she said.
"I have a bit of a training base but yet enjoy being around family and friends. Having missed Toronto I'm quite excited to be back in Cincinnati, an event that I have done quite well at over the years.
"It's really important as an athlete, you want to commit yourself the best that you can and prepare yourself the best you can for every single week.
"But there are many weeks in the year that we compete at and it's always nice to take a break, and not watch any tennis or follow any scores or not look at any draws and just settling back and working a few things in your game, really using it as a chance to build up your body for the rest of the year."
World No. 3 Simona Halep, who will also play in Cincinnati after having reached the final in Toronto last week, can replace Sharapova as the world No. 2 this week.
The world No. 2 ranking is important because the second-ranked player in the world as of next week would face Williams only in the final of the U.S. Open.