Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova has her sights set on playing at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, according to the head of Russian tennis.
Shamil Tarpischev, who is the president of the Russian Tennis Federation, believes that the 30-year-old intends to play another Olympic competition after her ban. Sharapova returned to the tour in April after serving a 15-month suspension for failing a drugs test. The Russian tested positive for Meldonium, a substance that was banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency on January 1st, 2016.
“Maria is always ready [to play for the national team], but the location of the match [of the Fed Cup] matters. Of course, she wants to play [at the Olympics in Tokyo]. And she will be ready for it,” Tarpischev told Tass News.
In order to play in the event, Sharapova is required to meet the criteria set out by the International Tennis Federation. Players must participate in at least three Fed Cup ties between Olympics Games in order to be eligible for selection.
Earlier this year, Sharapova was coy on her plans to play Tokyo 2020, when she will be 33-years-old. NBC Sports had previously reported that she said it is ‘hard’ to predict if she will participate in the event due to her aspirations after tennis.
“It’s a question I’ve been asked, and I’d love to sit here today and say yes, in three-so years that is where I want to be. But it’s hard. It’s hard to look that far, also being a woman.” She explained. “I want to have a family. I want to be a mother. Those are definitely long-term goals of mine. But of course to compete in another Olympics, that’s an athlete’s dream. I’d love to be a part of that.”
Sharapova’s only taste of the Olympics was at the 2012 London Games. On that occasion she won a silver medal in the singles competition, losing to Serena Williams in the final.
The 2020 Olympic tennis tournament will be hosted at the Ariake Coliseum. The same venue where this week’s WTA Toray Pan Pacific Open is taking place.
