Read original article: Maria Sharapova is making a comeback in Stuttgart after her 15 months doping ban. ... 37 PHOTOS
Maria Sharapova is making a comeback in Stuttgart after her 15 months doping ban.
37 PHOTOS
Maria Sharapova, the most marketable player in the history of women’s tennis returns from a 15-month doping ban today at Stuttgart tournament. It was her first match since a quarter-final loss to bitter rival Serena Williams at the 2016 Australian Open. Few weeks after that defeat, Sharapova announced she had tested positive for meldonium. Sharapova had been taking meldonium for many years, but overlooked an announcement by the World Anti-Doping Agency that it added the drug to its banned list on Jan. 1, 2016.
An initial two-year suspension was reduced to 15 months. Maria is the former world number one and five-time Grand Slam title winner. But now she is without a world ranking yet and requiring wildcards from tournaments.
Vinci, Andy Murray, Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki demanding that Sharapova should not be given a wildcard. “She shouldn’t have been given a wildcard, neither here nor in Rome or Madrid,” said Vinci.
So what she did during her 15 months ban?
Maria said that she had a pretty normal life and grew as a person. "I was studying, I was working, I was working on my business, I formed friendships that I did never have the time for to form," she said.
Sharapova is a three-time winner in Stuttgart: 2012, 2013 and 2014.
As Sharapova was still banned until Wednesday, she had not been allowed onto the tournament site and was forced to make her own practice arrangements at a suburban public club in Stuttgart.
Maria beat Roberta Vinci 7-5, 6-3 in the opening round of the Porsche Grand Prix today. "It was the best feeling in the world," Sharapova said, "I have been waiting for this a long time."
Sharapova next plays is Russian Ekaterina Makarova.
So, what’s next after the Stuttgart? There are chances that we will see Maria at French Open by granting her a wildcard. Roland Garros organisers say they will make a decision on a wildcard for the main draw by the week of May 15.
| Maria Sharapova, the most marketable player in the history of women’s tennis |
| Maria said that she had a pretty normal life and grew as a person |
| Maria after winning her last French open. |
| Maria is the former world number one and five-time Grand Slam title winner. |
| Photos of Maria few days before the tournament during her training. |
| As Sharapova was still banned until Wednesday, she made her own practice arrangements at a suburban public club in Stuttgart. |
| Photos of Maria few days before the tournament. |
| Maria Sharapova waving to the crowd and blowing kisses after winning her first match in Stuttgart. |
| Maria twitted about her feelings. |
| Photos of Maria few days before the tournament during her training. |
| Maria during her training. |
| Maria is the former world number one and five-time Grand Slam title winner. |
| Maria Sharapova sexy in bikini |
| Maria Sharapova in bikini |
| Maria Sharapova in bikini |
| Maria is the former world number one and five-time Grand Slam title winner. |
Read original article: Maria Sharapova is making a comeback in Stuttgart after her 15 months doping ban. ... 37 PHOTOS
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