Justine Henin-Hardenne speaks about Maria Sharapova’s return

Maria Sharapova would be returning to tennis action after serving her 15 month ban as she has received a wildcard to Stuttgart’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Sharapova was condemned to a 15 month ban, as she tested positive for Meldonium during the Australian open, a drug which at that time was added to the ‘banned’ list only 15 days back. Sharapova vowed that she had been taking the drug for 10 years due to health reasons.

Earlier this year Sharapova announced her return date and that she will play her first comeback tournament in Stuttgart. A lot of players in the circuit expressed concerns over Sharapova returning to the sport, as they felt she wasn’t dealt with hard enough.

Today, Justin Henin too came forward to express her disappointment over the issue, saying that the fact that Maria has received wildcards from three tournaments is very good for the sports image.

“The situation is delicate. Unfortunately tournaments are attracted by big names and by what players did in the past. Personally I don’t tolerate it. She ended her ban and people will decide what’s fair or what’s not. Will she be supported? I don’t know it. She is responsible of the situation.”

Henin feels that the fact that Maria Sharapova is a big name in the circuit has probably aided her getting wildcards into a lot of top tournaments.

Justin also spoke about Belgium’s chances in the Davis Cup and heaped huge praise on David Goffin!

“What’s doing this guy (Goffin) is amazing, he competes with the best players of this era and the competition on the ATP Tour is strong. As for Darcis, he had injuries and private issues (his daughter underwent an heart surgery), but he has overcome them and he is always there. The Belgian team did a great job. They can surely win the title because in Davis there are several factors as key, for example the choice of surface or players’ withdrawals. The level is not as high as in a Grand Slam event.”