Returning Sharapova unfazed by criticism

Maria Sharapova has brushed off criticism from her rivals as she prepares to make her return next week in Stuttgart following her 15-month doping ban.

Sharapova stoic

"That is the least of my concerns," the 30-year-old Russian told Thursday's edition of Stern magazine.

"I haven't wasted a single thought on it. I know that I am respected in my field.

"I see it in how my opponents play against me."

Sharapova, a five-times Grand Slam champion, had an initial two-year suspension by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) reduced to 15 months after she tested positive at the 2016 Australian Open for meldonium. It is a medication Sharapova had been taking when it was within the rules, but which was later reclassified as a prohibited drug.

Return in Stuttgart

The Russian makes her return next Wednesday - the first day she is eligible to play - having been given a wildcard for Stuttgart's WTA tournament with some rivals disapproving of the organisers' decision.

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki said the Stuttgart tournament's decision to grant Sharapova a wildcard is "disrespectful to other players and the WTA".

However, Sharapova could not have picked a better place to make her return. She has won the Stuttgart clay-court tournament three times and lost just once - to Kerber in 2015 in the first-round.

The Russian can expect a warm welcome from the organisers as she is an ambassador for luxury car manufacturers Porsche, who sponsor the Stuttgart tournament.