Former World No.1 Maria Sharapova expects to get a wild card entry into the Australian Open 2020 in spite of losing the first round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday.

The Russian star has slipped down to the No.147 in the WTA rankings. This means that she will either have to enter this month and’s Australian Open as a qualifier or she will need a wildcard entry. However, the 2008 Australian Open champion is confident of getting the wildcard for the first Grand Slam of the year.

“I think I am going to get one”: Maria Sharapova

The Australian Open 2020 is scheduled to commence from January 20 and will conclude on February 2.

“I think so yeah… I think I’m going to get one (wildcard),”  Sharapova said in the post-match press conference in Brisbane when asked about expecting a wildcard in Melbourne.

“You can ask Craig Tiley (Director of the Australian Open). I think he knows better,” Sharapova answered when she was asked whether she has been told to receive a wildcard?

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Maria Sharapova has not had to play the qualifiers for any competition in the past 17 years. In 2003, she entered the DFS Classic in Birmingham as a qualifier and stormed through the semifinals.

Sharapova stunned in the opening round of the Brisbane International

A misfiring Sharapova was defeated by American qualifier Jennifer Brady in the opening round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday. The Russian star was certainly not in good touch in her first match of the season. She served 11 double faults in her 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) defeat.

It will be interesting to see if the organisers of the Australian Open 2020 will award a wildcard to Sharapova or not?

However, even if Sharapova is awarded a wildcard, she will have an uphill task to defend her fourth round in Melbourne. The Russian will be unseeded in the event and could face a seeded player in the opening round.