Former world No.1 Maria Sharapova has said it is ‘incredible’ to be in the main draw of the Australian Open again after organizers issued her with a wild card.
Tennis Australia confirmed on Wednesday that the Russian would be given a pass into the event. Meaning that she will not have to go through the qualifying rounds. Sharapova has endured an injury-stricken past few months on the tour due to her shoulder injury. As a result, she has spiralled down the rankings to 147th in the world. This time last year she was 30th.
“To be in the draw of the Australian Open is incredible.” Sharapova said in a statement published on ausopen.com.
“I’ve had wonderful experiences there, from holding the championship trophy to losing some very tough finals as well. There’s been a lot of ups and downs in Australia.
“So to have another chance to compete on all those courts is very special.”
The decision to award a wild card to the 32-year-old has surprised few, especially Sharapova herself. A day before the announcement, she seemed confident of receiving a pass when questioned by reporters at the Brisbane International.
Q: Are you expecting to get a wildcard?
MS: I think so, yeah.
Q: Will you play qualies if not?
MS: I think I’m going to get one.
Q: You’ve been told that?
MS: You can ask Craig Tiley. I think he knows better.
(transcript source – metro.co.uk)
Sharapova won the Australian Open back in 2008 when she defeated Ana Ivanovic in the final. Overall, she has played in the event 15 times in her career and reached the final on three other occasions. Doing so in 2007, 2012 and 2015. Since making grand slam debut in Melbourne back in 2003, she has won 57 out of 71 matches played at the major.
In her first tournament of 2020, Sharapova was narrowly edged out in the first round of the Brisbane International by Jenifer Brady. Losing 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(3), to the world No.53. The match was the first she has played since the US Open last September.
“It’s definitely not the result I would have wanted because I would’ve loved to play another match, but that’s this game,” wtatennis.com quoted Sharapova as saying afterwards.
“I think I hit, in total today, over 160 serves, which is a lot for me, considering I haven’t played in a few months.
“It was a long match. I think this is going to be a good test for my shoulder, not so much right now, but maybe tomorrow (Wednesday) and the day after to see how I feel. I definitely lost like speed on it and strength toward the end of the match, but that comes with time. I have to be patient with that.”
The Australian Open will get underway on January 20th.
