ANGER OVA MARIA RETURN
Sharapova plays today after doping ban but fellow stars brand wildcard entry ‘shameful’
MARIA SHARAPOVA is back in action today after her doping ban – with tennis split over her return.
She plays thanks to a controversial wildcard at the Porsche Grand Prix – and now wants to be invited to Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The Russian superstar had to complete her final preparations at a small local tennis club in Stuttgart yesterday because she was not allowed to enter the tournament venue before her 15-month suspension ended at midnight. Sharapova, who turned 30 last week, tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open and her hasty return to top-level events as an unranked player has angered her rivals. A loophole in the rules allows the five-time Grand Slam winner to play in Stuttgart because her first-round match has been delayed until today. World No.5 Simona Halep of Romania said: “For the kids, for the young players, it is not OK to help with a wildcard the player that was banned for doping. It is not about Maria Sharapova here, but it is about all the players that have doped.” France’s world No. 41 Alize Cornet said: “I find it shameful that the WTA promotes a player who has tested positive. We should not roll out the red carpet for her. Unfortunately tennis is business. But morally, it is not good.” Her opponent today Roberta Vinci has ensured a grudge match by joining Andy Murray, Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska in publicly opposing wildcards for players returning from a doping ban. World No.1 Serena Williams is pregnant and off the tour for the year, and No.2 seed at Stuttgart, Karolina Pliskova, said: “With Serena out, tennis definitely needs a star like Sharapova, so I don’t have anything against it.” Former world No.1 Kim Clijsters said: “She’s done her punishment – and I don’t think she needs to be punished more.”