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FIGHTING TALK

Shamed Maria Sharapova dodges further humiliation by NOT requesting Wimbledon wildcard

The Russian tennis ace will instead compete for a place at the qualifying tournament at Roehampton

MARIA SHARAPOVA has dodged further humiliation by deciding NOT to apply for a Wimbledon wildcard.

Instead the 2004 champion will try to fight her way into the first round by playing in the qualifying tournament at Roehampton.

Sharapova has come back fighting following her 15-month ban from the sport
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Sharapova has come back fighting following her 15-month ban from the sportCredit: Getty Images
Sharapova has been hugely successful at Wimbledon, but will have to fight from the bottom this year
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Sharapova has been hugely successful at Wimbledon, but will have to fight from the bottom this yearCredit: PA:Press Association

Sharapova will miss the forthcoming French Open after organisers decided she should not be given a wildcard into qualifying or the main draw because of her 15-month ban for taking a banned drug.

The Russian has earned enough ranking points to play in Roehampton by right but could have asked the All England Club for a pass into the first round.

She finished runner-up in 2011 to Petra Kvitova, and has reached the semi-finals on three other occasions
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 She finished runner-up in 2011 to Petra Kvitova, and has reached the semi-finals on three other occasionsCredit: PA:Press Association
The Russian has been eager to get back playing following her ban, but has not been accepted back by the entire tennis community
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The Russian has been eager to get back playing following her ban, but has not been accepted back by the entire tennis communityCredit: EPA

But Sharapova announced: “Because of my improved ranking after the first three tournaments of my return, I will also be playing the Qualifying of Wimbledon in Roehampton, and will not be requesting a wild card into the main draw."

It is believed that Wimbledon chiefs would have turned down such a request in any case, especially after the strong stance taken by French Open bosses.

Angelique Kerber is one of the many female players to criticise Sharapova's return to tennis
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Angelique Kerber is one of the many female players to criticise Sharapova's return to tennisCredit: AP:Associated Press

Sharapova will need to win three qualifying matches to reach the first round at SW19.

She should achieve that, but as an unseeded player she could find himself drawn against one of the top stars of the women’s tour, many of whom have criticised her or those tournaments which have given her wildcards since her comeback in April.

That includes the Aegon Classic, the Wimbledon warm-up event in Birmingham next month.

Brit Heather Watson has also come out against Sharapova's return, and could meet her in the opening rounds of SW19
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Brit Heather Watson has also come out against Sharapova's return, and could meet her in the opening rounds of SW19Credit: EPA
Sharapova has been suffering with a hamstring injury picked up in the French Open, but should be fit for Wimbledon
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Sharapova has been suffering with a hamstring injury picked up in the French Open, but should be fit for WimbledonCredit: Getty Images

In an official statement, Sharapova also gave an update on her health after she pulled out in the deciding dset of her second-round match at the Italian Open because of an injury.

Sharapova said: “I have already started getting treatment on the injury I sustained a few days ago in Rome, and will begin my preparation as soon I get better.”

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