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Caroline Wozniacki calls Sharapova wildcard 'disrespectful'

Caroline Wozniacki has labelled Maria Sharapova's wildcard entry into April's Porsche Grand ...



Caroline Wozniacki calls Shara...
Golf

Caroline Wozniacki calls Sharapova wildcard 'disrespectful'

Caroline Wozniacki has labelled Maria Sharapova's wildcard entry into April's Porsche Grand Prix as 'disrespectful' to other players.

Sharapova, who is sponsored by Porsche, is making her return from a 15-month doping ban. But the event in Stuttgart is due to start two days before the ban ends and she will therefore not be able to attend as a wildcard entry until the day of her match.

In an article on Newstalk.comAdam Addicott wrote that her return is already causing frustration, and former Tennis number one Wozniacki, says that Sharapova's inclusion in the event, is unfair on the other players.

"Obviously rules are twisted and turned in favour of who wants to do what. I think everyone deserves a second chance... but at the same time, I feel like when a player is banned for drugs, I think that someone should start from the bottom and fight their way back."

Image: Maria Sharapova during the World Team Tennis exhibition in Las Vegas.

"I think it's very questionable allowing - no matter who it is - a player that is still banned to play a tournament that week. From the tournament side, it's disrespectful to the other players and the WTA."

Sharapova is making her return at the event which she has previously won three times. She was issued a doping ban for testing positive for the banned substance meldonium at the Australia Open.

The ban was initially intended to run for two years, but was later reduced following an appeal in October to the court of arbitration for sport.

She made her first appearance on the tennis court since receiving her ban last October, at an exhibition match at the World Team Tennis charity event in Las Vegas.

 

 

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