COURTING TROUBLE
Sharapova faces volley of criticism
Former women’s tennis 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 controversial 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.
‘‘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 not someone I can say I look up to any more.’’
New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic also disagreed with Sharapova gaining an instant wildcard.
‘‘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 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 wildcard 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 and set up a second-round clash against fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova.
‘‘It’s the best feeling in the world. To know I would be walking back into the arena was very special,’’ Sharapova said in a courtside interview.
‘‘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 wildcard for the French Open.
Her initial two-year suspension was reduced to 15 months after she tested positive at the 2016 Australian Open for meldonium, a medication the Russian had been taking within the rules but which was then reclassified as a banned drug.
‘‘It’s important to play, points, games, sets,’’ Sharapova said. ‘‘It is a journey that officially starts today and I look forward to playing
"She's a cheater and I don't think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again." Eugenie Bouchard, left, on Maria Sharapova
as many matches as I can.’’
Sharapova was clearly nervous at the start, firing three forehands long in the first game, doublefaulting on her first service game point and being broken by the Italian for a quick 2-0 lead.
It took 15 minutes for Sharapova to win her first game but she gradually improved her service, started attacking Vinci’s serve and clinched the first set after an hour.
Sharapova, growing in confidence with every point, broke the Italian early in the second, and her 11th ace put her 5-3 ahead. She broke the 34-year-old again to secure her first win on her first match point.