Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova has won her first match back after a 15-month doping ban, beating Italy's Roberta Vinci 7-5, 6-3 in the 1st round of the Stuttgart Open in Germany. After the end of her 15-month doping suspension Sharapova will play at the Porsche Grand Prix tennis tournament in Stuttgart this week.
"I don't think that's right", Bouchard said.
Asked what it was like being back out on the court in a competitive match, Sharapova told BT Sport: "It's the best feeling in the world, those first few moments before you enter the arena". "It has been a stage of mine since I was a little girl and to know that I would be walking back on it was very special".
While admitting her mistake, Sharapova has hardly been full of contrition and has criticised the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for failing to notify her that Meldonium, a medication she said she had used for a number of years to treat health issues, had indeed been flagged up by WADA as "performance enhancing". In the eighth game, Sharapova kept her opponent scoreless while serving up a series of strong shot.
Because her suspension ended only at midnight, Sharapova had not been allowed to use official tournament facilities before, forcing her to visit a local tennis club in Stuttgart for training since last weekend.
She was originally banned for two years but that was reduced on appeal.
Ooni of Ife respects Oba Akiolu
The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, at a public gathering not specified, ignored the greeting of the Ooni of Ife , Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II.
"Everyone in this room knows what a competitor I am and if there is an opportunity to be in the draw, I will take it". It ruined it for me a little bit. She was able to receive a wild card entry, which makes this her first tournament since the ban was lifted. Azarenka got injured and then pregnant (though she'll return this summer), Kerber has arguably regressed to her mean level, and Williams is now expecting a baby of her own. Another clay court tournament, Sharapova won at Roland Garros in 2012 and 2014. "She's a cheater and so, to me, I don't think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again".
Several players, including Vinci, have criticized the invitation for a player who has been caught doping.
While tournament organizers have stayed relatively quiet on the subject after handing Sharapova, a ratings draw, he spot, the WTA has come out to defend them.
That decision has been defended by WTA chief Steve Simon, who said it was in keeping with how former dopers were treated in other sports.
Sharapova next faces fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova, but not before answering questions from a large throng of reporters. Genie Bouchard had some strong words about her, calling her a cheater and wanting a lifetime ban for the person who she idolized growing up.
Comments