French Open organizers had "no grounds to penalize" Maria Sharapova by denying her a wildcard entry to the tournament, the Women's Tennis Association said, according to the BBC. The Russian, 30, was ranked "too low to gain direct entry" as she continues her return from a 15-month drugs ban. The French Tennis Federation (FFT) chose not to hand Sharapova a wildcard to "protect" the sport's standards. WTA CEO Steve Simon said, "I don't agree with the basis for their decision. She has complied with the sanction. There are no grounds to penalize any player beyond the sanctions set forth in the final decisions resolving these matters." Two-time French Open winner Sharapova needed a wildcard, "which are awarded at the discretion" of tournament organizers, to play in either the main draw or the qualifying tournament. But on Monday, FFT CEO Bernard Giudicelli said, "There can be a wildcard for the return from injuries -- there cannot be a wildcard for the return from doping" (BBC, 5/17). REUTERS' Simon Jennings reported Sharapova said on Wednesday that she remains "fully committed to making a successful comeback" from her doping ban. She wrote on Twitter, "If this is what it takes to rise up again, then I am in it all the way, everyday. No words, games, or actions will ever stop me from reaching my own dreams. And I have many" (REUTERS, 5/17).
