Maria Sharapova practiced Wednesday despite not being expected to play this weekend when Russia faces defending champion Italy in the Fed Cup final.
Sharapova, who has never played for Russia in the Fed Cup, is still bothered by a right shoulder injury and apparent opposition within the Russian team. But her appearance Wednesday was seen as an attempt to improve relations.
"It's great," Sharapova said after practicing with Elena Vesnina. "It's the first time that I am playing tennis as part of a team."
Sharapova usually skips Fed Cup weekends citing injuries, but there have been suggestions that she has been kept off the team due to personal friction with other Russian players.
"I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from our captain, asking me if I would like to play in the finals," Sharapova wrote on her Web site last week.
She also said she couldn't play because of her shoulder, "but the least I could do is fly over there and be their practice partner for the week and cheer them on from the stands."
Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev said Wednesday he had invited Sharapova even though she could not play, so that she could "take part in the life of the team."
He insisted that "there is not a single personal conflict inside the team," and said Sharapova is likely to play for Russia next year.
Sharapova, who has never played for Russia in the Fed Cup, is still bothered by a right shoulder injury and apparent opposition within the Russian team. But her appearance Wednesday was seen as an attempt to improve relations.
"It's great," Sharapova said after practicing with Elena Vesnina. "It's the first time that I am playing tennis as part of a team."
Sharapova usually skips Fed Cup weekends citing injuries, but there have been suggestions that she has been kept off the team due to personal friction with other Russian players.
"I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from our captain, asking me if I would like to play in the finals," Sharapova wrote on her Web site last week.
She also said she couldn't play because of her shoulder, "but the least I could do is fly over there and be their practice partner for the week and cheer them on from the stands."
Russia captain Shamil Tarpishchev said Wednesday he had invited Sharapova even though she could not play, so that she could "take part in the life of the team."
He insisted that "there is not a single personal conflict inside the team," and said Sharapova is likely to play for Russia next year.