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08:10, 16-Aug-2017
Sharapova receives US Open wildcard for first post-ban Slam
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Former world number one Maria Sharapova will make her first grand slam appearance in over 18 months after she was awarded a main-draw wildcard for the upcoming US Open, organizers said on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old Russian, who returned from a 15-month doping ban earlier this year, was denied a wildcard at the French Open, then missed the grass court season, including Wimbledon, with a thigh injury.
Sharapova tweeted on Tuesday: "Thank you, @usopen. This is so special. #goosebumps".
Sharapova tested positive for the drug meldonium in 2016, which had been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)banned substances list in January of that year.
Maria Sharapova waves to the crowd after winning against Jennifer Brady in the Bank of the West Classic tennis tournament at Stanford University, on July 31, 2017. / USA Today Sports
Maria Sharapova waves to the crowd after winning against Jennifer Brady in the Bank of the West Classic tennis tournament at Stanford University, on July 31, 2017. / USA Today Sports
The winner of five grand slam titles, including the 2006 US Open, said she was unaware of the change.
"Her suspension under the terms of the tennis anti-doping program was completed and therefore was not one of the factors weighed in our wild card selection process," the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said in a statement.
Sharapova's US Open preparations have been disrupted by an arm injury suffered during her first-round win over Jennifer Brady at the Stanford Classic earlier this month.
The world number 148 was forced to withdraw from the Rogers Cup and this week's Cincinnati Open as a precautionary measure before the final grand slam of the year.
Source(s): Reuters