Woodbridge: Sharapova divides, but will conquer

What’s really stood out for me this week is how polarising Maria Sharapova is in the world of tennis – and sport as a whole. She is on a much higher pedestal for criticism than most other athletes, largely because of her stature and money-making ability.

Is that fair? Rightly or wrongly it’s by virtue of her success and the resume that she has built.

I can understand why some players are speaking out about her return. However, the rules are in place and she has followed them. What has surprised me when reading a few of the comments coming from the playing group is that they are obviously scared to have her back. They realise that she is driven to succeed in the sport, is a strong competitor, and will be a barrier to them doing well themselves.

Without a doubt Maria is a genuine threat. She demonstrated that in the first two matches this week. She’s fit, she’s motivated and is a champion with champion qualities. What’s more, I think the negative comments that some of the players are making will simply help to motivate her even more.

I was particularly surprised to read Bouchard’s remarks – I thought that they were ill-advised, and if someone had had the opportunity they should have stopped her from saying them. Rather than giving her views on Maria, she needs to focus on why she isn’t performing, and why she is struggling with her own pressures.

In some ways this enforced break may have actually helped Sharapova. She’s had 18 months out of the game, rehabilitating and re-energising her body. She’ll have looked at Serena at 35 years of age and say: ‘she’s still winning Majors. I’ve still got at least four more years – 16 to 20 chances – of winning Slams.’ This suspension has shown her how much she loves the game and how much more she can do. Had she kept playing during this period and picked up an injury (or some tough defeats) she may have lost motivation. So in more ways than one, this has been a career-changing 18 months that may push her into another level of Grand Slam status.

I just want to touch quickly on wildcards. Wildcards are just that; an opportunity for a tournament to do whatever they like. They can give a 15 year-old junior the chance of playing in the main draw or a previous winner another chance.

In Maria’s case, as a former champion coming back from a suspension, she has shown that she is motivated, fully fit, and ready to play. Within a week, she has shown that she is clearly good enough to play. A wildcard is the opportunity for a tournament to put someone in who could have some success, and I don’t see why any tournament in their right mind would not want her there.

If she does end up in the main draw of Roland Garros, she has a real chance of winning it. Given the way I’ve seen her prepare, and how quickly that she’s won matches, there are echoes of Kim Clijsters US Open comeback victory. Clay might be her weakest surface, but she has won the French Open twice, and this year’s tournament is as wide open as any major of recent years. Given her time away from the game there is less expectation in her first Slam back, and she’s got a big opportunity to go and win another major straight off the bat.