Simon defends Sharapova wildcard

Women’s Tennis Association chief executive Steve Simon has defended the wildcard entry awarded to former world No.1 Maria Sharapova for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix following her 15-month doping ban.

While some say the five-time Grand Slam champion – initially banned for two years after testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open – has done her time, some fellow players are angry the red carpet is being rolled out.

Among those was Roberta Vinci, whom Sharapova beat in straight sets in her first competitive outing since the ban.

Simon believes the ban was more extensive than previous offenders.

“You have to look at how other leagues and tours have handled players who have come back,” Simon told BBC Sport. “They come right back to the team and start playing.

“She is starting at ground zero. It is going to affect her seedings in big tournaments so she’s still going to pay a penalty for a while.

“If you think about it from other leagues, most of them (bans) are half of a season or a full season. She’s had a year and a half.”

Meanwhile, Sharapova will learn on 16 May if she’ll be granted a wildcard invitation for the French Open, tournament organisers said on Wednesday.

“We will make our decision public on Facebook on May 16 at 1900,” French federation president Bernard Giudicelli told a news conference on Wednesday.

“There is no reason why we should make an exception for Maria Sharapova. There is no reason why we should announce a wildcard before the others.”

Giudicelli said he will discuss the matter with tournament director Guy Forget on 15 May.