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She was given a wildcard for a tournament in Germany that week
But Sharapova still banned the first two days of the event
WTA clarifies rules after comments by Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki
CNN
—
Maria Sharapova’s return to tennis from a doping ban is still more than five weeks away but the Russian is generating quite the buzz during the ongoing BNP Paribas Open in California.
Players including men’s No. 1 Andy Murray, seven-time grand slam winner Venus Williams, twice grand slam winner Angelique Kerber and former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki have all weighed in on whether the five-time grand slam winner and one of the world’s most recognizable athletes should benefit from wildcards as she tries to rebuild her tennis career.
The latter duo have also questioned whether the 29-year-old should be allowed to make her much anticipated comeback at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – Wozniacki said the rules were “twisted and turned” for Sharapova – which may have led to the women’s WTA tour clarifying the rules Monday.
‘Eligible’
Sharapova is allowed to compete on April 26 following a 15-month suspension for testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open. That day falls on a Wednesday, three days into the clay-court event in Stuttgart where Sharapova did receive a wildcard.
“In compliance with WTA and the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme rules, Sharapova can participate in a tournament in the week that her suspension ends, providing that the first match that she is scheduled to contest takes place on or after the day on which she is eligible to return to competition,” the WTA stated on its website.
“First round action at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix commonly takes place over three days, therefore the former world No. 1 is eligible to accept the wildcard she has been offered and begin play on Wednesday, April 26th.”
Sharapova is prohibited from the tournament grounds until the Wednesday, however, which prompted Germany’s Kerber – who will regain the No. 1 ranking next Monday in place of the injured Serena Williams – to tell reporters last week in Indian Wells: “It’s a little bit strange also for the players that she can walk on site on Wednesday and she can play on Wednesday.”
Wozniacki added to reporters in a separate briefing: “I think it’s very questionable allowing – no matter who it is – a player that is still banned to play a tournament that week. From the tournament side, I think it’s disrespectful to the other players and the WTA.
“But it is what it is.
“Obviously the rules are twisted and turned in favor of who wants to do what.”
Wozniacki echoed the sentiments of Murray – who told The Times players “should have to work your way back” – when she added that Sharapova shouldn’t be handed wildcards.
Sharapova, age 14, plays her first professional tournament in March 2002. She defeated Brie Rippner at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California.
Brian Bahr/Getty Images
Sharapova holds up her trophy after she won Wimbledon in July 2004. The 17-year-old defeated Serena Williams in the final for her first Grand Slam title.
ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Sharapova serves during the 2006 U.S. Open semifinals. She advanced to beat Justine Henin in the final. It was her second Grand Slam title.
Al Bello/Getty Images
Sharapova is given a painting from the Children of Chernobyl Foundation in July 2007. That year, she became a U.N. global ambassador focused on the Chernobyl Recovery and Development Program.
Denis Poroy/AP
Sharapova won her third major title at the 2008 Australian Open.
Clive Rose/Getty Images
Off the court, Sharapova has become a fashion icon and a popular spokeswoman for many major companies. Her endorsements have included Nike, Gatorade, Canon and Cole Haan.
Junko Kimura/Getty Images
Sharapova falls to her knees after winning the 2012 French Open to complete the career Grand Slam. She also won the French Open in 2014.
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Sharapova, left, at the London 2012 Olympic medal ceremony at Wimbledon with Serena Williams, center, and Victoria Azarenka. Sharapova finished with the silver after losing to Williams in the final.
LUIS ACOSTA/AFP/Getty Images
Sharapova carries the Olympic torch in Sochi, Russia, during the opening ceremony for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
A shopper in Shanghai, China, walks past a Nike advertisement featuring Sharapova.
Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Sharapova signs autographs after winning a match at last year's Australian Open. She later announced she had tested positive for banned drug meldonium and was banned for two years, later reduced to 15 months.
PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images
Maria Sharapova: Richest female athlete of past decade
‘Nice to have her back’
Sharapova has additionally been granted wildcards for Madrid and Rome, which along with Stuttgart comprise the three biggest clay-court events ahead of the French Open, the year’s second grand slam. Sharapova needs wildcards to compete at tournaments at the highest level because she has no ranking.
Though no decisions have been officially taken, the new head of the French tennis federation, Bernard Giudicelli, hinted that Sharapova may not get a wildcard for Roland Garros.
“We can’t decide on one hand to increase the funds dedicated to fighting anti-doping and on the other (invite her),” he was quoted as saying by French sports daily L’Equipe this month.
“I think the bodies have made their decision, and she has an opportunity to come back and continue her career,” she told reporters. “I think she should be allowed to continue that. If people want to give her wildcards, I guess that’s the tournaments’ decision as they weigh other wildcards.
