Russia’s Maria Sharapova has been denied a wildcard entry for French Open 2017 a day after winning her first round match at the Rome Masters and securing a Wimbledon qualifying spot. The 30-year-old will not get a first-round place or a chance to progress through qualifying.
The decision on whether the former world number one, who, only recently made a return from a 15-month doping ban, will gain wildcard entry for the Grand Slam was announced by the president of the French Tennis Federation Bernard Guidicelli.
“I decided not to give a wildcard. Nobody can deprive her of her two titles here and I’m very sorry for Maria. I’m very sorry for her fans. They might be disappointed. She might be very disappointed,” he was quoted as saying by the Guardian. “She had committed a violation of the tennis programme and had to be suspended for 15 months. Today this is over, she can take her path. But if there can be a wildcard for people returning from injuries, there cannot be a wildcard for players returning from doping.
“It’s my mission to protect the game. It’s my mission to protect a high standard of play without any doping,” Guidicelli added.
Guidicelli had earlier hinted at inviting the five-time Grand Slam winner to the event: “Integrity is one of our strong points. We cannot decide, on the one hand, to increase the amount of funds we dedicate to the anti-doping battle and, on the other, invite her.”
“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.”
Sharapova, though, could earn a slot in the main draw if she reaches the semi-finals of the Rome Masters.
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