RUSSIAN TENNIS PLAYER Anna Chakvetadze has come under criticism, after she announced plans to run for parliament in her native country.
Fellow Russian Maria Sharapova has said she could struggle to balance sport and politics in her life, after it was confirmed that Chakvetadze would be one of the three parliamentary candidates for the Right Cause Party – a pro business party.
The 24-year-old was out for most of 2011, and Sharapova believes an involvement in politics may only hamper her progress even further.
She added:
“It’s tough to do two big things at the same time but if she feels strong about it, it’s [her] choice.”
Despite once being the world number five, Chakvetadze has now fallen to number 157 in the rankings.
She competed in Wimbledon this year, but lost in straight sets to Sharapova.
Earlier in the week, Chakvetadze explained her decision, saying: “I joined the Right Cause Party because it’s a young party”.
