New York, May 14 : Tennis superstar Maria Sharapova has reached a compromise with the World Tennis Association (WTA) over a photo shoot she previously refused to participate in.

The Russian tennis ace and the world's most photographed sportswoman has originally declined to take part in the shoot because she didn't want any distractions before the Italian Open that began on Monday.

Sharapova claimed that the organisation had threatened to fine her more than 300,000 dollars if she refused.

As part of the two parties' new arrangement, the May 11 shoot to promote the tour championships was reduced from several hours to just 90 minutes, according to Sharapova.

"I was riding around in a car for an hour talking - pretending like I'm talking on the phone. The timing compromise was still pretty difficult since it's before a very big event for all of us. 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," she said.

Sharapova launched a protest on her personal website last month, asking for the opinions of her fans.

Earlier, a fuming Sharapova was seriously considering the option of legal action against the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for being forced into doing a promotional photo shoot on the eve of the Italian Open in Rome.

She believed that she was just given a fortnight's warning about the photo call that could take up to five hours of her time and that of Serena Williams, Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic on the eve of the Italian Open.

ANI