Maria Sharapova's Vanishing Nipples

Leitch|published: 08/16/2005, 10:29am EDT

This image was lost some time after publication, but you can still view it [object Object] .

Maria Sharapova has long been accused of being more popular for her body than for her tennis (as if the two were mutually exclusive). And now she's beginning to hear rumblings that the streams are being crossed even further. Sharapova announced yesterday that she's going to miss the Rogers Cup because of a strained chest muscle.

What might that strained chest muscle be? Some speculate that the "muscle" was "strained" because of some strategic air brushing on the above photo. Sources say Sharpova — who has been battling injuries of late — was less than pleased that her two special Advantages were "cleaned up" by tournament promoters.

This used to happen to Charles Barkley all the time.

Tennis' Treasure Chests [The Star] Sharapova Out Of Rogers Cup [ESPN]