French expect backlash over Sharapova wildcard call
Print Edition
FRENCH Open organizers are bracing for controversy ahead of their decision on whether to grant Maria Sharapova a wildcard for Roland Garros.
The decision on whether the former world No. 1, returning from a 15-month doping ban, will gain wildcard entry for the grand slam was to be announced last night by the president of the French Tennis Federation Bernard Guidicelli.
“Some say she shouldn’t get it, others say she served her time,” tournament director Guy Forget told the BBC. “As you talk with players, it’s very controversial. So no matter what happens, there will be a lot of questions around that wildcard.”
The 5-time grand slam winner was banned for 2 years for using meldonium, but the penalty was reduced to 15 months on appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport which ruled she was not an intentional doper.
After the ban expired last month, the Russian returned to competition in Stuttgart, reaching the last four, and progressed to the last 32 of the Madrid Open, too late to earn herself a qualifying spot for Paris.
On Monday she won her opening match at the Rome Masters, guaranteeing a qualifying spot at Wimbledon and she could earn a slot in the main draw if she reaches the semifinals of the event she has won three times.
Meanwhile, Roger Federer has announced he will skip Roland Garros to better prepare for the grass and hardcourt seasons.
The 18-time grand slam winner has won the French Open, contested on clay, just once in 2009, and also pulled out of the event last year with injuries.
“I’ve been working really hard, both on and off the court, during the last month but in order to try and play on the ATP World Tour for many years to come, I feel it’s best to skip the claycourt season this year and prepare for the grass and hardcourt seasons,” said the world No. 4.
Federer, 35, who owns five US and Australian Open crowns and seven Wimbledon titles, has won the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami this season since coming back from a six-month injury layoff.
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