Local reports are suggesting that Maria Sharapova has received a wildcard to the WTA tournament in Brisbane which starts next week.
The event in Queensland already holds six of the world’s top 10 which includes Brisbane resident and world number one Ashleigh Barty as well as defending champion Karolina Pliskova.
But reports are suggesting that Maria Sharapova will join the field as she prepares for the Australian Open and a return to form.
Brisbane International's star power has received a boost.#9News understands former World Number 1 Maria Sharapova has received a wildcard for the tournament. pic.twitter.com/UUShSlVQji
— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) December 30, 2019
The Russian hasn’t played a competitive tournament since her first round exit to Serena Williams at the US Open after having multiple injuries.
Although Sharapova played Ajla Tomljanovic at the Abu Dhabi exhibition last week, there are still doubts over her return to form at big events.
These doubts will look to be silenced when she returns to Brisbane as Sharapova looks to defend the fourth round points that she won at last year’s Australian Open.
Reaching the last 16 in Melbourne in 2019 was the Russian’s best performance of the season and hasn’t won back to back matches since then.
The 32 year-old will look to put that right when she plays in Brisbane, which starts on the 6th of January as the city also hosts the ATP Cup which starts on the 3rd of January.
