New York: Rivals remain divided over Maria Sharapova as the Russian former World No.1 prepares to return to Grand Slam tennis at the US Open here Monday after serving a 15-month doping ban.
The 30-year-old five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova who was banned after testing positive for blood boosting drug Meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open received a wildcard into the field for the year’s final Slam event on the NY hardcourts with the night feature match against Romania’s second-ranked Simona Halep.
“I don’t think any tennis fan in the world is not going to have that match on. Let’s be honest,” said US 15th seed Madison Keys. “I’m sure this first round is going to be interesting.”
While Sharapova is 6-0 against Halep, she has played only one tune-up match due to a forearm injury followed by a thigh injury that kept her out of Wimbledon. But the US Open offered her a wildcard, saying she had served her ban and was treated like any other past champion needing a wildcard.
Spanish third seed Garbine Muguruza however had mixed reactions on the former star’s wild card entry saying one should work hard to deserve it again. “I guess when someone has been banned or out of competition, I think you have to work for it a little bit to go and play your tournaments,” the Wimbledon champion said.
She however heaped praise on Sharapova as a player saying, “I think she’s a fighter, great attitude, big fight, spirit on the court. I guess the fans want her back and hope she will improve the tournament,” she finished.
agence france-presse