Sharapova given free pass to play in Birmingham

tennis: Call to grant Russian a free pass for Aegon Classic likely to draw criticism

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has accepted a request by Maria Sharapova to play at next month’s Aegon Classic in Birmingham.

Press Association Sport understands Sharapova approached the LTA about receiving a wild card for the grass-court event, and the organisation has agreed.

Sharapova was refused automatic entry to the French Open on Tuesday, with her ranking still too low to qualify by right.

She returned from a 15-month ban in April after testing positive for meldonium.

The LTA’s call to grant the world number 211 a free pass for the Aegon Classic, which runs from June 19-25, is likely to draw criticism from those who believe that players suspended for doping should not be given special privileges.

Andy Murray has been clear in his view that returning offenders should have to work their way back up, and the same opinion has been expressed by a number of players on the WTA Tour.

It will also place added scrutiny on Wimbledon’s decision whether to offer Sharapova a wild card into their main draw this summer.

Sharapova has accumulated enough points already to enter Wimbledon qualifying but an All England Club subcommittee will meet on June 20 to decide which players will be fast-tracked into the first round proper.

Wimbledon donates a large share of its profits to the LTA but the Grand Slam oversees its own tournament independently of the governing body.

Sharapova retired injured from her match against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome on Tuesday after beating American Christina McHale to reach the second round.

The Russian has also been offered a wild card to play at the WTA Ricoh Open in Holland next month.

Meanwhile, Johanna Konta crashed out of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome at the third-round stage after a three-set defeat to Venus Williams.

The British number one was facing the American veteran for the first time since March, when victory sent her into the final in Miami.

But it was a different story on the Italian clay as Williams produced two emphatic sets to triumph 6-1 3-6 6-1 in just under two hours.

Picture: Getty. The LTA has accepted a request by Maria Sharapova to play at the Aegon Classic in Birmingham.