Tennis Players Express Mixed Views On Sharapova's Return Following Doping Ban

Tennis player Maria Sharapova's suspension for testing positive early last year for the banned drug meldonium will end on April 24 and she has "already gotten wild-card entries into events" in Stuttgart, Rome and Madrid, according to the AP. Angelique Kerber of Germany is not sure Sharapova "deserves that wild card." Kerber said, "It's a little bit strange for the other players that somebody can just walk on site on Wednesday and play Wednesday. It's a little bit weird." Svetlana Kuznetsova, Sharapova's Russian compatriot, "offered a more favourable view." Kuznetsova said, "I think it's great for the tennis that she's coming back and I believe she's looking forward to it." Men's world No. 1 Andy Murray said, "The tournaments are well within their rights to give a wild card. There's no rule that says they can't. They're going to do what they think is best for their event. But should you get a wild card into every event when you come back? I'm not sure about that" (AP, 3/9).