Click here to read Sharapova's website posts on being asked to do the photo shoot.

By Bill Scott

After publicly balking at doing a four-hour photo shoot for the WTA Tour, Sharapova avoided a huge six-figure fine by agreeing to a 90-minute appearance.                      © Gabriel Bouys/AFP Getty

But the world No. 2 insists that players have to consider their on-court priorities first despite repeated calls from the governing body for public relations duties requiring the presence of a megastar.

"The timing of the shoot got reduced to about 90 minutes, and I did that yesterday," the second seed said on Monday as the tournament got underway. "I was riding around in a car for an hour talking pretending like I'm talking on the phone. That was pretty much it."

Only days ago, Sharapova was facing the possibility of a fine estimated at up to $700,000 for skipping what was to have been a half-day affair promoting the year-end championships in Doha, complete with wardrobe, hair and makeup. After some behind-the-scenes bargaining, the commitment was dramatically reduced and the LA-based Russian was ready to get the chore over and done with.

Sharapova has laid down a marker for the WTA, saying that competition is the main priority for players. "The timing compromise was still pretty difficult since it's before a very big event for all of us," said the 21-year-old. "Considering the time reduction, it definitely makes that a lot easier than going into a four- or five-hour shoot with hair and makeup, which adds another hour."

The tug-of-war over time commitments is unlikely to have ended permanently, however, and Sharapova remains adamant that players have to stand up for their own rights under massive weekly pressure. The withdrawal of No.1-ranked Justine Henin from Rome means the WTA will still missing one significant name in the cast, but the shoot is going ahead in several locations around Rome. Ten players – Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Serena Williams, Anna Chakvetadze, Venus Williams, Daniela Hantuchova, Maria Kirilenko and Zi Yan – are scheduled for the cameras. The campaign will eventually include about 32 players in all.

At the height of the controversy in early May, Sharapova asked fans on her website what she should do.  "I've obviously made my point, I just wanted to let my fans that I didn't feel like people were listening to me," she said. "I think it's in the best interest of the tour, not just the people that work for the tour. I think it's in our best interest to listen to all the players – not just me."

Her internet gesture dropped a huge hint that communication on the WTA Tour could be improved. "Over the last few years, all the players have been in numerous amounts of mandatory meetings. Sometimes you go back to a meeting and you feel like you're talking about the same things and having the same issues.

"You feel like your voice is never being heard."

But right now, she's shifting her focus back on the court. "Everything is a work in progress. When I set foot in Rome, my priority is to play tennis.  I've already done the talking," she said.

"Now it's time to play tennis."