‘START FROM GROUND ZERO’
Women’s Tennis Association Tour chief Steve Simon defended Maria Sharapova’s wildcard entry into the Stuttgart Open, pointing to other sports and their treatment of former dopers as an example.
After serving a 15-month ban for failing a drugs test, former world number one and five-time Grand Slam tennis champion Maria Sharapova made her longawaited comeback in Stuttgart on Wednesday evening.
Maria Sharapova’s return via a wildcard spot has angered her rivals, with Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki and Roberta Vinci vocal in their disapproval, but Simon defended the Russian 30-year-old’s return.
“You have to look at how other leagues and tours have handled players who have come back,” Simon told BBC Sport. “They come right back to the team and start playing.”
“She is starting at ground zero,” Simon added.
players, including Vinci, have criticised the invitation for a player who has been caught doping.
Earlier Wednesday, Sharapova completed a one-hour training session on an empty center court. Because her suspension ended at midnight, she had not been allowed to use official tournament facilities before.
Former No 1 greeted with whistles but wins comeback game