Wimbledon keeps Sharapova waiting
Former champion Maria Sharapova’s hopes of playing at this year’s Wimbledon championships will hinge on a June 20 meeting of tournament organisers unless the Russian hits form in forthcoming events in Rome and Madrid.
Sharapova, who returned last week after a 15-month ban for an anti-doping violation, could still climb high enough in the WTA rankings to earn a spot in the Wimbledon qualifying tournament at Roehampton.
Failing that the 2004 champion would need a wildcard, either into the main draw or the qualifying event a week before the championship begins.
MURRAY BACKS MARIA’S BID
Maria Sharapova is still waiting to hear if she can play at the French Open, world No 1 Andy Murray has said that he expects the Russian tennis player to receive a wildcard for Wimbledon qualifying if she fails to make it through her ranking.
“I think there’s a good chance Wimbledon would give her one (a wildcard) to get into qualifying,” Murray said.
“I think we’ve got to wait and see what happens because there might not even be a decision to be made because she might be in the main draw after Madrid or Rome,” said Murray.
NASTASE GIVEN ROYAL BOX SNUB
Ilie Nastase will be barred from Wimbledon’s Royal Box this year following the former world No 1’s behaviour at Great Britain.
Romania team captain Nastase was ejected from his team’s match in Constanta after a series of foul-mouthed rants.
The 70-year-old was overheard making an apparently racist comment about Serena Williams’ unborn baby.
Nastase also asked British captain Anne Keothavong for her hotel room number, verbally abused umpire Jaume Campistol and referee Andreas Egli before swearing at Keothavong and Johanna Konta as he was sent from the court.
WIMBLEDON RAMPS UP PRIZE MONEY
Wimbledon singles champions will cash cheques for £2.2 million this year, the All England Club said on Wednesday. Last year’s champions Andy Murray and Serena Williams had earned £2 million.
That figure has now been surpassed by a 10 per cent hike. In the last six years, the cash pot for the Wimbledon winners has dou