Two-time French Open champion Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the year’s second Grand Slam tournament because of her injured right shoulder.

Sharapova announced her withdrawal on Instagram on Tuesday.

She wrote: “Sometimes the right decisions aren’t always the easiest ones.”

Sharapova said she has returned to practice and is “slowly building the strength back” in her shoulder.

The former No. 1 and owner of five Grand Slam titles hasn’t competed anywhere since late January, when she withdrew from a tournament in Russia after winning her opening match.

A shoulder injury has been a problem for Sharapova since the summer of 2018. Attempts to remedy the issue haven't always worked, with a “small procedure” costing her a place in Miami back in March.

At that time, Sharapova said the problems began following her elimination from the US Open during the Round of 16. Those difficulties also saw her withdraw from April’s Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, before she confirmed she would be unable to compete at this month's Italian Open in Rome.

It makes sense for Sharapova to take her time putting this troublesome injury fully behind her.

Sharapova has always been a strong contender at Roland Garros, where she won in both 2012 and 2014. Missing this year's event in the French capital denies the former world No. 1 another chance to repair her standing and reputation in the game.

The French Open begins May 26 in Paris.