By Daily Sports on January 12, 2017
Maria Sharapova is set to make her official return from a doping suspension on April 26 after the former world No. 1 was granted a wildcard entry to Stuttgart's Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
The tournament starts on April 24, with the 29-year-old Sharapova, who hasn't been involved a competitive match since the Australian Open in January 2016, due to play on the day her 15-month ban comes to an end.
The Russian has been keeping fit ahead of her comeback, appearing in a Las Vegas charity event in October 2016, and then playing an exhibition match against Olympic singles champion Monica Puig in Puerto Rico last month.
"I could not be happier to have my first match back on tour at one of my favorite tournaments," said Sharapova, a three-time winner at the annual clay court event.
The head of the WTA, Steve Simon, has already said he is looking forward to Sharapova's return -- a sentiment echoed by Porsche Tennis Tournament Director Markus Günthardt -- but not everyone on the tour has been so welcoming.
The Russian was initially banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium in January 2016.
In October, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the sanction by nine months, saying she bore "no significant fault or negligence." (cnn.com)
•Photo shows Maria Sharapova
Source Daily Sports
Posted January 12, 2017
You may also like...
French FF rejects relegated Bastia's appeal over forfeited...
Manchester City Beat Crystal Palace To Bounce Back...
Court stops NFF Sept 30 elections
WBC Hall of Fame induction thrills legend Nwokolo...
Robben Considered Coming Out Of Retirement
Real Madrid Set For Club Brugge Clash

VIDEO: ‘My son a big fan of Ronaldo,’ says Trump
Osimhen to miss CAF awards
Olopade salutes Eagles despite World Cup miss
Nigerians slam Eagles’ reliance on Osimhen
2026 W’Cup miss, moment of profound sadness – NFF
Finidi charges Rivers players to score more
NFF apologises to Tinubu, Nigerians over Super Eagles’ World Cup miss
Osimhen big miss for Nigeria – DR Congo’s Sadiki
WCQ: Chelle claims DR Congo official used voodoo during penalty shootout
Anyanacho wins bronze at Islamic Game
FirstBank secures partnerships for Lagos Open
Nigeria wins best country crown at World Scrabble Champs
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,349 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,577 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,514 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,143 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,135 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,053 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,899 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,481 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,600 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,175 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,562 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,044 views)