Caroline Wozniacki Isn’t Thrilled Maria Sharapova Can Get Wildcards After Drug Ban
A growing number of players have voiced their disapproval of Maria Sharapova making use of wildcards in her return to tennis from a 15-month drug ban
Andy Murray was on record saying those who get caught should not be able to receive wildcards immediately after the suspended is over.
“I think you should really have to work your way back,” he said.
Francesca Schiavone didn’t say Sharapova by name, but she wasn’t happy that a certain someone who already secured wildcards into Rome and Madrid may take her spot at the French Open.
#Schiavone's words about possible #wildcard in #RolandGarros… but also about #Sharapova's WCs π³π± (question by @Diego_Barbiani) #BNPPO17 pic.twitter.com/H7LJKOTOJZ
— Michele Galoppini (@MikGaloppini) March 9, 2017
And yesterday, Caroline Wozniacki also groaned about the practice, calling it “disrespectful”.
“I think obviously she’s a good draw to tennis, women’s tennis in general. That’s one,” Wozniacki said Saturday at Indian Wells.
“But, two, I think it’s very questionable, allowing — no matter who it is — a player that is still banned to play a tournament that week. I think that’s — from the tournament side, I think it’s disrespectful to the other players and the WTA.”
Sharapova, who has no ranking, already has spots in Stuttgart, Rome and Madrid. And is now awaiting word from the French Open and Wimbledon.
“When someone has been banned for drugs and something that is performance enhancing,” Wozniacki added. “I think that you deserve a second chance like everybody else, people make mistakes, but I think you should fight your way back from the bottom.”
As a Grand Slam champion, Sharapova is entitled to unlimited wildcards and with no ranking right now, that’s the only way she can play WTA events. And because of her star power, she’ll more than likely get as many as she wants until she can get in on her own merits.
Wozniacki is in action Monday at Indian Wells against Katerina Siniakova in the third round.
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