2008 Champions of the Year

2008 Australian Open Champion 

Maria Sharapova

2008 French Open Champion

Ana Ivanovic 

2008 Wimbledon Champion 

Venus Williams

2008 Olympic Medalists

Gold: Elena Dementieva (Center)

Silver: Dinara Safina (Left)

Bronze : Vera Zvonareva (Right)

2008 US Open Champion 

Serena Williams

Sony Ericsson WTA Championships Champion 

Venus Williams

Sharapova withdraws from exibition

Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the exibition at Hong Kong, which is just weeks before the Australian Open that she has to defend.

The three-time Grand Slam champion withdrawed from the exibition because her shoulder was not in proper form yet.

"I'm just not ready to play against the top-class competition in Hong Kong, although I remain hopeful for Australia where I'm the defending champion," Sharapova said in a statement.

"Maria just needs to get 'tennis fit' now and she's working hard," Sharapova's agent, Max Eisenbud, said.

Pierce hopes to keep playing in the future

Mary Pierce is still hoping she can play some matches in the future, and not to hang the racket up on the wall.

The Frenchwoman last played in 2006, as she was held back by a knee injury, but she says that she would like to compete at the French Open again.

"I care about Roland Garros. If I could stand in center court for one match, that would already be a big victory," she said.

"I don't feel it's the right moment (to announce my retirement)," she told L'Equipe, adding that her left leg is weak but tests indicate her knee has recovered.

Pierce, who will turn 34 in January next year, won the French Open once in 2000, and the Australian Open once in 1995.

McHale earns wildcard in Aussie Open

16-year old Christina McHale earned a wildcard in the upcoming Australian Open after winning to Gail Brodsky in straight sets, 61 60, at Boca Raton, FL, after going 3-0 in the round robin.

The American is ranked No. 337 in the world currently, and this is her first time in the main draw of a Grand Slam event .