Maria Sharapova handed wildcard for Italian Open
The former world number one will play in Rome after also being given entry to Madrid and Stuttgart when she returns from a 15-month doping ban. <a title="Nadal vs Wawrinka live online, Roland Garros Final" href="http://en.as.com/en/2017/06/11/other_sports/1497167500_564650.html">Nadal-Wawrinka live</a>
Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova has been given a wildcard to play in the Italian Open in May, organisers said Wednesday.
The former world number one makes her return to the circuit in Stuttgart in April after completing a 15-month ban for doping.
We officially announce the Wild Card for the 3 times Rome's Champion @MariaSharapova into the main draw of #ibi17! #tennis #WTA #Sharapova pic.twitter.com/bxrPrjI6fJ
— Internazionali Bnl (@InteBNLdItalia) March 1, 2017
Sharapova ban
Sharapova hasn't played on tour since testing 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.
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The Rome tournament, where Sharapova is a three-times champion, runs from May 15 to May 21.
She has also been handed a wildcard for the May 6-13 Madrid Open.