Andy Murray thinks Maria Sharapova will be given Wimbledon wildcard spot this year… if she needs it
The Russian tennis player back from a 15-month ban for failing a drugs test, but SW19 champ Murray is sure she will play in London
ANDY MURRAY reckons Wimbledon will cave in and give Maria Sharapova a wildcard – if she needs one.
The Russian, back from a 15-month ban for failing a drugs test, is likely to win enough ranking points in the next two weeks to earn an automatic spot in Wimbledon qualifying and perhaps even in the main draw.
But if Sharapova were to slip up in Rome and Madrid, Murray believes All England chiefs would even consider giving the 2004 champion a free pass to the first round because of the circus which would surround her if she played “qualies”.
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Murray said: “I think there’s a good chance Wimbledon would give her one to get into qualies.
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“I don’t know exactly what they are going to do but from what I’ve heard there are also a lot of logistical issues with doing that, with Roehampton and if they have the infrastructure for her to come and play there.
“I think we’ve got to wait and see what happens because there might not even be a decision to be made because she might in the main draw after Madrid or Rome.
“So there’s a good chance that she can gets in by right, which I’m sure is what she’s hoping for and that’s what Wimbledon would be hoping for so they’re not in a position to have to make that decision.”
Murray has made no secret of his belief that Sharapova, or anyone else returning from a ban for breaching anti-doping regulations, should have to earn their place back at tennis’ top table rather than receiving wildcards.
Wimbledon bosses will watch with interest to see how their counterparts at the French Open solve a problem like Maria.
The French tennis federation has confirmed it will announce on May 16 the wildcards for qualifying and the main draw at Roland Garros.
Sharapova’s defeat to France’s Kristina Mladenovic in the semi finals of her comeback tournament in Stuttgart last week meant she could not win enough ranking points to earn a spot in qualifying by right.
- Andy Murray will defend his Aegon Championships title against Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios at The Queen's Club, June 19th-25th. Tickets -