Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has been given a wildcard to play in the Italian Open in May, organisers said yesterday.
The former world number one makes her return to the circuit in Stuttgart in April after completing a 15-month ban for doping. “We officially announce the wild card for the 3-time Rome champion @MariaSharapova into the main draw ... “ organisers announced on Twitter.
Sharapova hasn’t played on tour since testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open. An initial two-year ban was reduced to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.