Sharapova was due to play her first round match tomorrow but called a press conference this afternoon where she confirmed she would take no part in the lead-up event.

The second seed is able to play groundstrokes but has only just resumed overhead shots as she tries to recover from the ailment, which also saw her cancel an exhibition match in Korea last week.

That injury was reported as a neck complaint but Sharapova confirmed it was the same problem that has forced her to call time on the Brisbane tournament.

She will head to Melbourne early and won't play any other tournaments in the prelude to the opening grand slam of the year.