French Open officials snub Sharapova
MARIA Sharapova’s hopes of a dream return from doping exile to a third French Open crown have been shattered with organisers refusing her a wildcard.
The 30-year-old, who conquered all on the Parisian clay in 2012 and 2014 but whose career was rocked by a 15month doping ban last year, was widely expected to be fasttracked into the year’s second grand slam tournament.
After only returning to the circuit last month, Sharapova’s ranking, now at 211, was not high enough to warrant an automatic place in the Roland Garros main draw which starts on May 28.
It meant she needed a favour from the French Tennis Federation but in an unexpected development, especially as the Open is already without pregnant Serena Williams and resting Roger Federer, it took a moral stand that will please some of her rivals but could hit the tournament’s ratings.
AUSTRALIAN Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the Italian Open with a hip injury, raising questions about his French Open participation.