Maria Sharapova’s return to the circuit has not been very well received by players, with Bouchard going to the extent of calling her a ‘cheater’, and how an individual who has indulged in doping shouldn’t be allowed to play the sport again. Sharapova though has come out and said that she won’t be responding to such comments off the court and will want her tennis to do all the talking.
While there was a lot of speculation going around with respect to Sharapova’s inclusion at the French Open, the French Tennis Federation President today went on record to say that Sharapova won’t be receiving a wildcard for the event, not for the main draw or the qualifiers.
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Sharapova, a two time Roland Garros Champion did not have enough ranking points to even make it to the qualifying rounds and hence her fate entirely resided with the tournament officials.
The FFT President said that they won’t be providing a wildcard to a player who is returning from doping, as that wouldn’t be in the best interest of the sport.
“If there can be a wildcard for the return from injuries, there cannot be a wildcard for the return from doping” said Bernard Giudicelli, the FFT President.
“I’m very sorry for Maria, very sorry for her fans.
“They might be very disappointed, she might be very disappointed, but it’s my responsibility, my mission, to protect the high standards of the game played without any doubt on the result.”
Sharapova has received three wildcards ever since her ban ended and was hoping to get a shot at the qualifying event for the Roland Garros, only to have her bubble burst by the tournament officials.
Giudicelli wants Sharapova to play tournament after tournament and move her way up the rankings, rather than receiving these wildcards for major events
“Nobody can deprive her of her two titles here in Roland Garros, but these two titles she had conquered them according to the rules and behold nothing to anyone.
“So it is up to her, day after day, tournament after tournament, to find alone the strength to conquer major titles without being held to anybody.”
