A potential wild-card spot for Sharapova is a controversial subject because she is just returning to tennis Wednesday at the Porsche Grand Prix after a 15-month ban for taking an illegal drug.
The 30-year-old Russian's 15-month ban for using meldonium ends on Wednesday when she plays in the first round.
Vinci joined the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Dominika Cibulkova, Angelique Kerber and Agnieszka Radwanska in speaking out against the presentation of wildcards to players returning from doping bans. She has been granted wild cards here - where the tournament sponsor also sponsors her personally - and at the upcoming events in Madrid and Rome, which has led to some players complaining about her favourable treatment.
Vinci, who won only four games in the two meetings against Sharapova at the 2007 US Open and 2012 Indian Wells expects a tough match: 'I saw her in the social media and she practised a lot, hard.
When she takes to the court to face Roberta Vinci, it will be to the consternation of many opponents and the relief, albeit privately, of a women's tour left flagging by the absence of Serena Williams, probably Sharapova's only serious rival in the arena-filling business.
Players like Karolina Pliskova and Kim Clijsters defended the five-time Grand Slam champion.
Sharapova, whose defence was that she had not realised Meldonium had been added to a list of banned substances at the start of 2016, insisted the substance is as common as aspirin in Russian Federation where it is known as Mildronate.
Many players have spoken up against granting Sharapova, a two-time French Open victor, special privileges because of her name recognition or pedigree. Former World No. 1 Sharapova has not been handed a wildcard into the French Open main draw but is going to be handed a wildcard for the qualifying rounds, according to an exclusive by The Telegraph.
President Trump congratulates record-setting astronaut Peggy Whitson
Whitson is now aboard the International Space Station serving as the commander of Expedition 51. 534 days and counting. Trump called Whitson from the Oval Office, sitting alongside his daughter Ivanka Trump and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins.
Kim Clijsters retired in 2007 at the age of 24, then came back almost two years later after the birth of a daughter and won three of the next six majors.
"She is a great player and I have nothing against her".
The doping penalty hurt Sharapova's reputation and WTA CEO Steve Simon says Sharapova has paid the price for her actions and should be welcomed back to the sport.
"She wouldn't have a chance for (a wildcard) from my hands (if I was a tournament director)".
"Not for those suspended for doping".
Halep had originally expressed support for Sharapova to receive a wild card but has changed her tune now that the tournament is underway.
"They come right back to the team and start playing".
The bottom line is that Sharapova probably needs to win six or seven matches to guarantee herself a place in the Wimbledon main draw.
Comments