"I can't support what the tournament director has done but in my opinion, for children and young players, it's not OK to help players who were banned for doping with wildcards", said the Romanian. Especially given the long months of deliberations that ensued in ironing out the actualities of Sharapova's actions, first by the Independent Tribunal and, later, by the Court of Arbitration of Sport.
"She is a great player and I have nothing against her".
"Her return in the Porsche Arena is a fabulous present for our fantastic spectators and is certain to be one of the sporting and emotional highlights of our anniversary tournament", he said.
Sharapova received a two-year suspension - backdated to January 26th, 2016 - in March 2016 after testing positive for heart disease drug meldonium at the Australian Open.
"I expect a lot", Fernandez said, "because I know how hard she works, how meticulous she is in practice". She is a great person, a great champion.
The 30-year-old, who is preparing for her first game after the ban in Stuttgart, however has a strong chance of making it to the Roland Garros, even if she does not reach the Stuttgart final. Which is why Giudicelli could use the qualifying tournament as a convenient route back to the majors for her. Wimbledon will have this discussion in coming weeks, too.
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Wimbledon will not rush into any decision as to whether it would grant Maria Sharapova a wild card this summer in the event that her world ranking is not high enough to gain direct entry into the main draw.
Reigning US Open champion and world No. 2 Angelique Kerber of Germany wondered why Stuttgart tournament organizers hadn't given the wild card to a German player. "It's also unusual for the players, that she can walk on site on Wednesday and she can play on Wednesday".
Sharapova also got full support from another multiple Grand Slam victor and former No. 1, Kim Clijsters. "I have to stay focused every single point, every single shot. She has such a huge fanbase and obviously that's going to bring more attraction to see how she will do, so I think it's good for tennis, good entertainment", said Azarenka. It is fair to say that those immediate rivals who have not already publicly objected to the unseemly haste with which the tournament organisers have embraced her will quietly add their voices to the chorus of indignation if she beats the likeable 34-year-old Italian on Wednesday.
The reigning No 1 doubles player, Bethanie Mattek-Sands' application for a TUE for Dehydroepiandrosterone was rejected by the ITF, WADA and then by the CAS upon her appeal in 2016. Having won three of her four career Grand Slam titles after returning in 2009, Clijsters had no doubt that Sharapova could have an equally successful return to the circuit. Agnieszka Radwanska is one of the top-seeded women's tennis players and also critical of Sharapova's easy return into the Stuttgart Open.
Sharapova's initial two-year ban was reduced to 15 months following an appeal to the court of arbitration for sport, which concluded she had not meant to cheat. But the wild card for the three-time victor is hardly a surprise as the Russian is a long-term brand ambassador for the sports auto manufacturer backing the tournament.
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