Most of her rivals, including Roberta Vinci, her first round opponent in Stuttgart, may not have welcomed Maria Sharapova back into the tennis fold with open arms. But, as she got her career underway yet again, after almost a year-and-a-half of being away, tennis fans on Twitter had quite a lot say.
From praise to jibes, here’s how Twitterati reacted to Sharapova’s comeback, which began with a commanding win.
There were congratulatory messages
Congrats @MariaSharapova Welcome Back!!! Tennis is WAY better with you competing on court!
— Justin Gimelstob (@justingimelstob) April 26, 2017
"The best feeling in the world!" Well done @MariaSharapova pic.twitter.com/xq1cuu5kuX
— Tracy Austin (@thetracyaustin) April 26, 2017
It was pretty impressive the way @MariaSharapova played after not competing for 15 months..Laser focus and fearlessness still strong..
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) April 26, 2017
YESSS!!!! (🎥@WTA) pic.twitter.com/WCtkwzlJnR
— doublefault28 (@doublefault28) April 26, 2017
Then there were references to her using her clout to start over...
I've never seen an athlete before Maria Sharapova return from doping ban and get celebrated like this..Money talks, ethics walk.
— KL (@screamcrimson) April 27, 2017
@nehaaggarwal @MariaSharapova Still don't think she deserves a wild card. She hasn't earned it esp after her ban. She needed to play smaller tournaments & prove herself.
— Akash (@akashashky) April 27, 2017
@ESPNTennis @MariaSharapova @WTA @CaroWozniacki Dopapova doesn't even know what bottom is. She probably thinks wild cards is starting from bottom up. @ARadwanska @geniebouchard
— Bobby Trentino (@RedRaiderTT) April 27, 2017
@ahmedqassim2 @MariaSharapova Why would you welcome back somebody that stands for all that can be wrong in sports? Brutal
— Hold My Beer (@SenatorsFan) April 27, 2017
There were questions about her draw
Aga, Cibulkova, Muguruza since they were placed in the same section as @MariaSharapova 🏃🏼♀️🏃🏻♀️🤷🏼♀️ pic.twitter.com/0STRgvXAi4
— Matthew (@MRisingStar18) April 26, 2017
Dominika Cibulkova, who was drawn to meet Sharapova in the quarter-finals in Stuttgart withdrew from the tournament, before its start, with an injury to her right wrist. Meanwhile, Agnieszka Radwanska was upset in the opening round by another Russian Ekaterina Makarova on Tuesday, as was Garbine Muguruza by Anett Kontaveit on Wednesday.
Suffice to say, Sharapova’s fans didn’t hide their sarcasm about these upsets.
Another one afraid of Maria Sharapova I suppose. 😂😂 Nice draw for Masha so far with Radwanska and Muguruza out. 🎾 #PTGP2017 https://t.co/DN8QdIiEXw
— André Ferreira (@_andrecferreira) April 27, 2017
@WTA @MariaSharapova Congrats Maria. Walked out & played like I knew u would. So radwanska, bouchard & other nay sayers eat that.
— Cathy Kinne (@cjkinne58) April 26, 2017
And there was Andy Roddick’s more measured response
While Bouchard blasts, Andy Roddick more measured, supportive of Sharapova receiving wild cards, via @BillSimons1: https://t.co/S9842WxFyh pic.twitter.com/a0ryzNtSEG
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) April 26, 2017