Murray: No wildcards for drug cheats

World No.1 Andy Murray is against giving wildcards to players returning from doping bans but says he understands why tournament organisers make an exception for big names.

Maria Sharapova has been granted wildcards for events in Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome, despite falling down the rankings, as she completes a 15-month ban for testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.

With Sharapova’s ban ending in April, Wimbledon organisers are grappling with the potential dilemma of whether to hand the 2004 champion a place in this year’s tournament.

“I think you should really have to work your way back. However, the majority of tournaments are going to do what they think is best for their event,” the 29-year-old Murray told the Times newspaper.

“If they think having big names there is going to sell more seats, then they’re going to do that. She (Sharapova) has an opportunity to try to improve her ranking up until that point and potentially not need a wildcard.

“But then if she doesn’t, that becomes Wimbledon’s decision and how they want to play that.

“I’m sure they’ll think long and hard about it and how they feel people will view it and then make the right decision for them.”