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 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.
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.
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.
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.”