PARIS (May 17, 2017 ): French Open’s organizers resolved not to grant the two-time champion Maria Sharapova a wildcard into the tournament.
She currently returned from a 15-month doping ban after admitting she had used the banned hormone and metabolic modulator meldonium.
French Tennis Federation President Bernard Giudicelli said, “If there can be a wildcard for return from injuries then there cannot be a wildcard for return of doping. Giudicelli said that he was very sorry for Maria and her fans but it was his mission to protect the game and to protect the high standards of the game played without any doubts on the results.
Sharapova had hoped to build up enough ranking points to automatically qualify for the grand slam, which begins on May 28, but defeat to Kiki Mladenovic in the semifinal of the Stuttgart Open in April left her fate in the hands of the French Tennis Federation.
While answering a question, Sharapova said, “Nothing is a disappointment after being away from the game for 15 months.”
She is currently ranked 211 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) world rankings.
