The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Moscow

Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova is criticizing the WTA Tour for threatening to fine her if she doesn't take part in a promotional photo session ahead of the Internazionali BNL Italia in Rome on May 12.

"They want me to do this shoot on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday of the Rome tournament after flying 12 hours from L.A.," Sharapova said in a statement posted on her Web site on Friday.

"I have set my own personal rules when it comes to doing shoots and I never do shoots before tournaments because they are mentally draining and I want to just focus on my tennis."

Sharapova said the WTA Tour has threatened to fine her more than US$300,000 (euro194,000) if she refuses.

"As you can see the WTA Tour loves to fine players," Sharapova said in a statement under the headline "Maria needs your help".

In an e-mail, the WTA Tour said players have off-court responsibilities.

"Players have many obligations both on and off the court, and what is being asked of players in Rome is in the rules," the tour said.

Sharapova said she was not against promoting the tour and that her objection was to the schedule. She asked for fans' opinions.

The third-ranked Sharapova won her third title this season in Amelia Island, Florida in April.