Sharapova Not Given French Open Wild Card

May 16, 2017 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff

The Federation Francaise Tennis (FFT) announced the wild cards for the 2017 French Open live on Facebook on Tuesday, and one big name was left off of that list.

Two-time champion Maria Sharapova was not granted a wild card by the FFT.

Sharapova is making her way back to the tour after serving a suspension for testing positive for meldonium during last year’s Australian Open. The granting of wild cards, or lack thereof, for Sharapova has been a hot topic of discussion in recent months as some players, most notably Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard, have expressed their displeasure with her receiving entry into recent tournaments.

“This suspension is over and she can take her path toward new success,” said FFT President Bernard Giudicelli Ferrandini. “But while there can be a wild card for return from injury, there can’t be a wild card for return from doping.”

The news came down as Sharapova was set to take the court against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in Rome. 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
Century

March/April 2024 Digital Edition