WILDCARD ENTRY
French decision on Maria Sharapova in May
Two-time Roland Garros champion Sharapova controversially returns next week from her drug ban
Paris — Maria Sharapova will learn on May 15 whether she can compete at the French Open after her drugs ban, French tennis officials said on Thursday, insisting the absence of pregnant Serena Williams would have no bearing on their decision. Two-time Roland Garros champion Sharapova controversially returns next week from a 15-month drugs ban at the WTA Stuttgart Grand Prix. Stuttgart offered the 30-year-old Russian a wildcard entry because she no longer has a world ranking. She has also been invited to claycourt events in Madrid and Rome. Whether she receives a wildcard for Roland Garros will be revealed just a week before qualifying begins for the May 28-June 11 Grand Slam. French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli said in March the body faced a moral dilemma and he hinted he was against it. If Sharapova misses out, the French Open will go ahead in the absence of the two biggest drawcards in the women’s game, with Williams announcing on Wednesday the end of her season d...
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