New York: Five-time Major champion Maria Sharapova of Russia will play her first Grand Slam event since serving a 15-month doping suspension after receiving a wildcard in the US Open.
The move by the US Tennis Association (USTA) comes after Sharapova, ranked 148th this week, was rejected for a wildcard spot into the French Open and missed Wimbledon with a thigh injury.
Since her ban ended in April, Sharapova has needed wildcards to get into tournaments, drawing criticism from some fellow professionals.
“Her suspension under the terms of the tennis anti-doping program was completed and therefore was not one of the factors weighed in our wildcard selection process,” the USTA said in a release Tuesday.
“Consistent with past practice, a wildcard was provided to a past US champion who needed the wildcard for entry into the main draw. Previous US Open champions who have received US Open main draw wildcards include Martina Hingis, Lleyton Hewitt, Kim Clijsters and Juan Martin del Potro,” it added. Sharapova had won the US Open in 2006.
Quite a few players have welcomed Sharapova back into Grand Slam tennis. “I’m sure this is a great moment for her to have an opportunity to be back to a place where she has done so well,” World No.6 Venus Williams said.
agence france-presse
