Sharapova given pass for U.S. Open
Maria Sharapova will get her chance to salvage her 2017 season at Flushing Meadows.
The USTA announced on Tuesday that Sharapova will get a wild card into the U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 28. The Russian’s return from a drug suspension has been marred by multiple injuries, and she pulled out of this week’s event in Cincinnati with a lingering arm issue.
Given all the injuries Sharapova has suffered since her May return, it would have been a near impossible task for the 30-year-old to go through qualifying and then the main draw. She no longer has to worry about that hurdle thanks to the USTA’s controversial decision. Sharapova was planning to go through qualifying for Wim- bledon, but was forced out of the grass grand slam with a thigh injury.
Sharapova was suspended 15 months for her use of meldonium, a banned substance, and has returned to mixed reactions from fans and competitors. Her return to Queens would add star power to the Open with Serena Williams (pregnancy), Novak Djokovic (injury) and Stan Wawrinka (injury) all out of this year’s tournament.