‘Cheater’ Sharapova’s return ‘unfair’

Former women’s world No 1 Maria Sharapova has made a winning comeback to the WTA tour following her 15-month ban for doping, beating Italian Roberta Vinci in straight sets in the first round of the Stuttgart Grand Prix.

However, her return continues to be a controversial one, with fellow players criticising the decision to quickly embrace Sharapova.

Canadian Eugenie Bouchard said she didn’t believe Sharapova should be allowed to play again.

‘‘I don’t think it’s right. She’s a cheater and I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again,’’ Bouchard told TRT World.

‘‘It’s so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way and are true,’’ Bouchard said.

‘‘I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids ‘cheat and we’ll welcome you back with open arms’.

‘‘I don’t think that’s right and she’s definitely not someone I can say I look up to anymore because it’s definitely ruined it for me a little bit.’’

New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic also disagreed with Sharapova gaining an instant wild card.

‘‘It does bug me, it’s not just me I think there are a lot of players out there who don’t think its right’’ Erakovic told NZME.

‘‘At the end of the day she did her time and from perspective tennis is a business and Marina Sharapova is a past champion, multiple Grand Slam champion winner so for tournaments it’s in her interest that she plays so they can sell tickets.’’

The 30-year-old Russian, a three-time winner on Stuttgart’s clay courts, received a controversial wild card for the German tournament, having had no ranking points after more than a year out following her suspension for banned substances.

She had a nervous start in front of a supportive crowd yesterday but quickly found her strokes and her trademark shrieks to power past the world No 36 7-5 6-3.

‘‘It’s the best feeling in the world. To know I would be walking back into the arena was very special,’’ Sharapova said.

‘‘I was waiting for this moment for a long time.’’

‘‘When I am on the court, because I have been doing it for so long, even though you are rusty and trying to get a rhythm, you try to block everything out.

‘‘I am a competitor by nature. That’s when I am at my best.’’

Sharapova has also received invitations to play in Madrid and Rome and will find out in May whether she will be given a wild card for the French Open.

She meets Ekaterina Makarova in the second round.