Sharapova wild card angers fellow players

A day before Maria Sharapova was to play her first match since being banned for doping, the debate about the Russian’s wild-card entry for the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, continued Tuesday. Simona Halep and Alize Cornet joined the legion of players criticizing tournament organizers for offering Sharapova a direct spot in their main draws after her 15-month suspension.

“For the kids, for the young players, it is not OK to help with a wild card the player that was banned for doping,” said Halep. Cornet, in comments published by French sports daily L’Equipe, said it was “shameful” for the WTA to promote a player “who tested positive.”

ODDS AND ENDS

Jurisprudence: An attor- ney for former Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley says the player denies an accusation made in a police report that he sexually assaulted a woman. No charges have been filed.

Colleges: Northwestern signed football coach Pat Fitzgerald to a new contract that runs through the 2026 season. Basketball coach Chris Collins’ contract was extended through the 2024-25 season . ... One day after North Carolina announced that Joel Berry had declared his eligibility for the NBA draft, Berry said he’d changed his mind and that he’d return to school for his senior season.

Media: Mike Tirico is taking the reins from Tom Hammond as a host of NBC’s Triple Crown horse racing coverage. Tirico adds the job to his duties as host of the network’s Olympics coverage.

Cycling: Fabio Felline of Italy won the Tour of Romandie prologue in Aigle, Switzerland.