Maria Sharapova beats Roberta Vinci in return from doping ban

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On Wednesday, however, she said she took a break from tennis "to learn and explore" because she didn't know when she'd be back.

"I don't spend too much time there [in the locker room]".

"When I am on the court, because I have been doing it for so long, even though you are rusty and trying to get a rhythm, you try to block everything out". I went to school for a little bit, I was working a little bit growing my business.

"This is what I've done for so long".

"I am a competitor by nature and when things are not working that is what I do, and that is when I am my best, and I am just me, and I compete".

Whatever else is happening on any other tennis court in the world will become irrelevant as Russian multi-millionaire Sharapova, who turned 30 last week, resumes a career that made her the world's richest sportswoman. "That's it. She played good and probably she deserved to win". She told BBC Sport that Sharapova "has done her time and her punishment" and that "I don't think she needs to be punished more".

Former World No 1, Maria Sharapova will discover if she is eligible for a wildcard at the French Open on May 16 2017.

Sharapova refused to be drawn into the debate, insisting only that "I am not offered trophies on silver platters".

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"She's a cheater and".

Sharapova, the 2012-14 champion at the event, was understandably hit-and-miss, as well as nervy, as seen by getting broken in her first service game, but behind 11 aces and a more fluid serving motion developed in her time away, she wasn't broken again. The message that she said it sends is that if you cheat, you will be welcomed back with open arms. It's going to be tough, but every match I play now is important for me.

However, Sharapova might have to battle it out in the qualifying rounds of the French Open to make it to the main draw of the year's second grand slam.

Women's Tennis Association chief Steve Simon defended Sharapova, saying the Russian does not need to be punished more.

"She is starting at ground zero".

"If you think about it from other leagues, a lot of them (bans) are half of a season or a full season". If the 23-year-old Canadian had her way, Maria would not be playing professional tennis at all.

Meanwhile, former men's world No. 1 Andy Roddick came out in support of Sharapova on Wednesday.

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