Maria Sharapova.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Maria Sharapova has signed up to play in the Wimbledon grass-court warmup in Birmingham in June.

The 13th-ranked Russian is a two-time champion at the AEGON Classic, having won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005.

Sharapova said she is looking forward to playing "at this important time in the grass court season."

The Birmingham tournament runs from June 7-13 at the Edgbaston Priory. Wimbledon starts June 21.

Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004 for her first Grand Slam title. She has been bothered by injuries in the past year.