Sharapova: I'm so tired that I have to take a break from tennis

After her first defeat of the year, Sharapova revealed fears that she is a victim of 'burn-out' and will consider withdrawing from this week's Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, recognised as the unofficial 'fifth' major.

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Sharapova, 20, whose 18-match winning streak was broken by fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova in the semi-final of the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California, said: "I'm going to play it by ear. My body is hurting. I just want to be smart about the decisions I make and that's going to be made after a good night's rest.

"At this point of the year, I can't really be putting any pressure on myself by saying: 'You've got to go out there and play next week'. If I'm not going to be ready, I'm not going to be ready. No one's forcing me to go out there and play."

Alarmingly, for women's tennis, Sharapova missed a tournament in Dubai last month when she was incapacitated by a viral illness. Already the WTA have had to concede that Serena and Venus Williams, two of the game's greatest champions, play to an eccentric schedule. The loss of Sharapova to 'burn-out' would be a worrying development.

Sharapova apportions blame for her condition on the demands of the tennis calendar.

She estimates she has already flown 50,000 miles this year, an odyssey that began with her success at the Australian Open in January. From there, she travelled to Israel to play for Russia in the Federation Cup, then journeyed to Doha where she won the Qatar Open.

"I'm playing a lot of tennis and flying a lot," said Sharapova. "It has pretty much been non-stop with all the tournaments and Fed Cup as well. It takes a toll on your body and your mind as well.

"You feel like you have to go out on the court and spend a lot of emotion and energy out there, and sometimes you don't have it for every match."

Currently world No 5, but the leading player in 2008, she will be under huge pressure to play in Miami, as the tournament is a flagship for the WTA's title sponsors, Sony.

The promotional campaign will have cast her in the starring role.

Although she was proud, at last, to play under her national flag after differences between her and other Russian players were patched up, Sharapova is widely seen in the United States to be a product of America.

Her game was learned at the famed Nick Bollettieri Academy in Bradenton, Florida, after her father, Yuri, brought her from a world of austerity in Russia and arrived at the clubhouse with only $700 to his name when his daughter was just seven years old.

Yet Sharapova and her domineering father appreciate that the WTA Tour will be reluctant to fracture relations with their most precious asset.

"This year is so young and I still have many big tournaments ahead and many goals that I want to achieve," added Sharapova, a winner of three Grand Slam titles who wasWimbledon champion at the age of 17.

"As a 20-year-old, I've got to kind of stand up and make some mature decisions that will help me throughout my career."

Kuznetsova, 22-year-old world No 3, beat Sharapova 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. Her opponent in the final will be Ana Ivanovic, who beat Jelena Jankovic, 7-6, 6-3 in the Californian desert tournament on Friday.