TENNIS: Sharapova wins in ban return
Looking relieved, Maria Sharapova went through her familiar routine of waving to the crowd and blowing kisses after winning her first match on her return from a 15-month doping ban on Wednesday. The five-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 beat Roberta Vinci 7-5, 6-3 in the opening round of the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany. “It was the best feeling in the world,” Sharapova said about stepping on court again for a professional match. “I have been waiting for this a long time.”
Earlier, French tennis federation president Bernard Giudicelli said the announcement of whether Sharapova will be allowed to compete at the French Open will be made on Facebook on May 16.
“The only guarantee I gave her is to call her beforehand,” Guidicelli said without giving any indication on whether Sharapova will get a positive answer. “There is no reason why we should make an exception for Maria Sharapova, there is no reason why we should announce a wild card before the others.”