NEW DOUBTS OVER SHARAPOVA’S FUTURE AFTER EDGBASTON SNUB

MARIA SHARAPOVA’S absence yesterday from the list of players for the biggest women’s pre-Wimbledon event raised doubts about whether she will be seen this summer. The 32-year-old Russian, who has not played since January, was not mentioned in the announcement for the Nature Valley Classic at Edgbaston Priory, despite a deal that was struck by the LTA in 2017. The then chief executive Michael Downey gave her a wildcard on her return from a doping suspension — part of a two-year deal to play pla the event. But she was injured that th year and has yet y to be seen in Birmingham. Sharapova has not n played since January. J Earlier Ea this week she was at the Met Gala G in New York (above). Her management declined to comment on her future — the subject of much speculation within the game.