Maria Sharapova will make her much-anticipated return to tennis this week at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, amid much controversy.
The former world No.1 was banned from competition for 15 months after failing a drug test at the 2016 Australian Open. She tested positive for meldonium, which had been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s list of banned substances effective January 1, 2016.
Meldonium is a drug usually prescribed for heart conditions, but has also been linked to enhanced physical and mental endurance as it increases blood flow. Sharapova admitted to using the drug dating back to 2006, citing irregular heart test results, a magnesium deficiency, and a family history of diabetes as the purposes. These reasons were met with much speculation, which was furthered by the news that Sharapova was one of over 100 athletes who tested positive for meldonium last year.
Sharapova has received wild cards to enter the WTA Premier tournaments in Stuttgart, Madrid, and Rome. The issuing of these wild cards to a player returning from a doping ban has been the topic of much conversation. Adding to the controversy is Sharapova’s ban actually ends Wednesday, April 26th, with the Stuttgart tournament already underway. She will not be allowed on the grounds until that date, when she will meet Roberta Vinci in her return match. Many top WTA players have spoken out against Sharapova and the issuing of these wild cards.
World #2 Angelique Kerber told the press last month in Indian Wells “it’s a little bit strange also for the players that she can walk on site on Wednesday and she can play on Wednesday.” Kerber also highlighted how Sharapova’s Stuttgart wild card could have gone to a fellow German player. “It’s a German tournament, and we [have] so many good German players, so this is also a little bit strange.”
World #11 Caroline Wozniacki also spoke about Sharapova at Indian Wells. “I think it’s very questionable allowing — no matter who it is — a player that is still banned to play a tournament that week,” said Wozniacki. “From the tournament side, I think it’s disrespectful to the other players and the WTA.”
World #4 Dominika Cibulkova was much harsher with her comments. Cibulkova was quoted by a Polish sports magazine as saying “I was surprised that most of the reactions were so diplomatic, because everyone’s opinion is actually totally different. I didn’t make any statement, as I didn’t want to be the only person to openly say what they think about this case. I will only say that I don’t feel sorry at all for Sharapova and I don’t miss her on the tour. She’s a totally unlikeable person. Arrogant, conceited and cold. When I sit beside her in the locker room, she won’t even say hello.”
It’s no secret Sharapova has never been the most popular player in the locker room, but Sharapova herself has never seem too concerned with that. She recently reiterated this to LeParisien Magazine, stating “I have enough friends in my life. Playing in tournaments means going to the office. My goal is to be professional, do my job and be respected. It’s not talking to the girls about their new car, their shopping spree or their new guy.” She also told LeParisien that she has been served her sentence, and “if players continue, despite this, to speak ill of me, then this is not correct.”
What will be more interesting is how Sharapova will be greeted by tennis fans. She has a large fan base that will certainly support her, but has also always had her share of detractors who don’t appreciate her grunting or attitude. Both sides will only become more steadfast in their convictions, especially in light of Sharapova’s own recent comments ahead of her return.
Since last year Sharapova has maintained she takes full responsibility for the ban and should have read the email where it was communicated. However she also contends the communications related to the addition of meldonium to the banned substance list were not as clear or numerous as some in the media have, in her words, “distorted.” It is clear Sharapova has no issue defending herself in the media by going on the offensive, so her initial press conferences will be must-see.
The biggest question regarding her return will be this: will she be able to again become a champion? Regaining competitive form after not playing for over a year is challenging, but Sharapova does have experience with such comebacks. She was out for nearly a year following major shoulder surgery in 2008. While her return to form was slow, she went on to win two French Open titles, in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
Sharapova has dealt with her share of injuries over the years, but one would assume her body will feel good after this long layoff. She turned 30 last week, but as we’ve seen on both the ATP and WTA tours this year, that’s now young in tennis years. There is certainly plenty of room at the top of the WTA right now, especially with Serena Williams’ pregnancy announcement. And one thing no one questions about Sharapova is her fighting spirit: who on the tour will fight harder or want it more than her?
Regardless of her results, Sharapova will remain a hot topic going forward. The French Tennis Federation will announce on May 15th if she will be granted a Roland Garros wild card. Plus the defiant champion just announced the release of her autobiography in September. The title? “Unstoppable.”
