The decision to deny Maria Sharapova a wildcard is a bold statement by the new FTF president and one that has embarrassed the Russian all over againMaria Sharapova has had to fight for virtually every point in her tennis career, every break in her curiously combative life, whatever the misguided perception of the Russian as a bird in a gilded cage.Nothing changed for her on Tuesday night. With the unexpected weight of moral probity falling heavily on her neck, the former world No1 was denied a wildcard of any kind – qualifying tournament or main draw – into the French Open at the end of the month. Related: Maria Sharapova denied wildcard for the French Open after returning from ban...
Locker-room goodwill played its part in the Russian’s derailment at the Madrid Open while the Serbian is looking for a whole new support staff after 10-yearsUnintentionally, of course, Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic have injected the tennis scene with an overload of drama. Related: Eugenie Bouchard edges out Maria Sharapova in thrilling grudge match Related: Novak Djokovic goes for nuclear option in bid to arrest worrying slump | Kevin Mitchell Continue reading...
There is no denying the wildcard’s box-office appeal but many, including her opponent Roberta Vinci, do not approve of her presence so soon after a drugs banWhen the most marketable player in the history of women’s tennis steps on to a court in Stuttgart on Wednesday to hit competitively for the first time in 15 months – in peak, early-evening viewing time and fully four hours after the world No7 Johanna Konta – women’s tennis will hold its breath.If Maria Sharapova, with neither ranking nor regrets for the actions that led to her absence, can advance to the second round of this tournament by beating the 2015 US Open finalist Roberta Vinci in what is sure to be a packed...
Avalanche of meticulously planned publicity has prepared the ground for tennis star’s return in Stuttgart but an unfortunate set of facts has been glossed overOne can only assume she doesn’t realise it, but nothing widens the credibility gap with Maria Sharapova quite so much as the manner of her return. As always with the women’s tour’s most bankable star, who returns to tennis next week after a 15-month doping ban, not a single thing has been left to chance, and no moment of opportunity has been left unexploited.Sharapova will appear on court at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart next week – a wildcard entry on the day her ban expires – and to coincide with this her management have...
The misguided celebration of a reduced doping ban as a victory underscores the profound tone-deafness around the industry that is Maria Sharapova IncFidelity can be virtuous, especially in the most adverse situations. Sticking by someone as they endure tumultuous times is a sign of ultimate, unwavering love. That loyalty can also be foolish, to the extent where even Goodfellas materfamilias Karen Hill would question such irrational devotion.Enter racquet company Head, and their peculiar bond with Maria Sharapova – which resulted in one of the most bizarre press releases from a sports company, in the midst of the most awkward victory lap tennis has ever had. Related: Maria Sharapova returns to tennis court for first time since drugs ban Related: Maria...