Bodog Beat

Maria Sharapova will miss the U.S. Open and Beijing Olympics. (AP Images)

First Tiger Woods misses the PGA season. Now Maria Sharapova. Will Google Trends ever recover?

News leaked today from various outlets confirms that WTA golden girl Maria Sharapova will sit out the U.S. Open because of a bad right shoulder - the first major championship she'll miss since her Grand Slam debut in 2003.

Sharapova will also be forced out of the upcoming Summer Olympics in Beijing. On her web site, Sharapova wrote the following:

"It hurts me so much to miss the Olympics and the U.S. Open, you have no idea. Just to type those words hurt!!"

The No. 3-ranked Sharapova has played in each of the past 23 major championships, winning titles at Wimbledon in 2004, the U.S. Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in January. Who now becomes the favorite at a weakened U.S. Open field? Be sure to head on over to the Bodog Sportsbook for all the latest tennis betting in time for the next big major!