Vinci hits out at Sharapova wildcard

Maria Sharapova’s first opponent after her 15-month doping suspension says the Russian should not have been granted a wildcard for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix or upcoming tournaments.

Italy’s Roberta Vinci, who will face Sharapova in a highly anticipated first-round match on Wednesday, said she does not agree with organisers giving Sharapova a free passage into the main draw of their events.

“She is a great player and I have nothing against her. She paid for her mistakes,” Vinci said on Monday.

“She can return to play but without any wildcards, without any help.”

Sharapova’s suspension for using heart drug meldonium after it was banned at the beginning of 2016, ends on Wednesday, just in time to enter the opening round of the indoor clay tournament she won three times in a row from 2012-14.

Vinci joined the likes of Caroline Wozniacki, Dominika Cibulkova, Agnieszka Radwanska, and Angelique Kerber in speaking out against wildcards for players who return from a doping suspension.

“I know (Sharapova) is important for the tennis, for the WTA, for everything,” Vinci said. “She is a great person, a great player, a great champion, but this is my opinion.”