World's most recognized tennis star Maria Sharapova arrived in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland on Tuesday for the ASB Classic tennis tournament.

The world's highest-paid female athlete, who Forbes magazine estimated earned twenty-two million U.S. dollars in endorsements last year, flew into Auckland from Los Angeles.

Sharapova leads a field of 15 players arriving Tuesday. They include fellow Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and former world No. 1 Dinara Safina.

Last season was stop-start for Sharapova, who was returning from a lingering shoulder injury but had niggles with a foot and right elbow. She was bundled out of the Australian Open in the first round but improved to end the year ranked 18.

The Russian-born 23-year-old started playing tennis at 4 and moved to the United States at 9 to advance her career.

She rocketed into the public eye when she won Wimbledon aged just 17.

The qualifying for 2011 ASB CLASSIC tennis tournament will be held in Auckland on Jan. 1-2, the main draw will be held on Jan 3-8.

The qualifying for 2011 Heineken Open tennis tournament will be held on Jan. 8-9, the main draw will be held on Jan 10-15.