Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova was on Wednesday handed a wildcard to play in the Italian Open to be held from May 15 to 21, PTI reported.
The five-time Grand Slam champion, who is currently serving a 15-month ban for doping, is set to make her return to the circuit in Stuttgart in April.
“We officially announce the wild card for the 3-time Rome champion @MariaSharapova into the main draw ... “ announced the organisers on Twitter.
Sharapova, 29, had tested positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open. An initial two-year ban by the International Tennis Federation was reduced to 15 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Prior to her stint in Rome, she had also received a wild card to compete at the Madrid Open scheduled to take place from May 6 to 13.
No wild cards for dopers, says Andy Murray
Meanwhile, Andy Murray has implored organisers to refrain from handing wild cards to players returning to the circuit after serving their doping bans.
“I think you should really have to work your way back,” Murray told The Times. “However, the majority of tournaments are going to do what they think is best for their event. If they think having big names there is going to sell more seats, then they’re going to do that.”
With Sharapova, set to hit the ground running following her comeback in April, there is now speculation that she might also get a wildcard to play at Wimbledon.
Sharapova needs around 600 ranking points from the 2,370 available in Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome to earn a place at Wimbledon.
