Sharapova Denied a Wildcard Entry for French Open

Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova has won the French Open at Roland Garros twice in her career. However, she won’t be adding a third title to her trophy cabinet soon. She was not given a wildcard for the main draw or the qualifying draw. In a Facebook Live video French Tennis Federation chief Bernard Guidicelli confirmed the decision.

“Nobody can deprive Maria Sharapova of two titles at Roland Garros. But these two she won according to rules. I read the articles and the CAS ruling to reduce her sanction. But the independent tribunal had found her in violation of the Tennis Codes. I’m very sorry for Maria, her fans but it is my mission to protect the game, the high standards of game played without any doping in the sport. That’s our decision,” said the Frenchman.

He justified his action by saying that a player who was returning from injury could be granted a wildcard entry, but a person return from a doping ban was a completely different scenario. He also said that he understood the fact that there are expectations from fans, sponsors and broadcasters, but rules are rules and she definitely violated the anti-doping code. This was why she was not entitled to a wildcard entry. The Russian has served a 15 month ban for testing positive for meldonium, a banned substance.