Sharapova left to sweat on Wimbledon wildcard

Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova’s hopes of playing at this year’s championships could hinge on a June 20 meeting of tournament organisers unless the Russian hits form in forthcoming events in Madrid and Rome.

Sharapova, who returned last week after a 15-month ban for an anti-doping violation, could still climb high enough in the WTA rankings to earn a spot in the main draw or Wimbledon qualifying tournament at Roehampton.

Failing that the 2004 champion would need a wildcard, either into the main draw or the qualifying event which takes place a week before the championship begins.

“We have a long-standing tried and tested process (for awarding wildcards) in the week before qualifying and this year is no different,” All England Club chairman Philip Brook said at a news conference on Wednesday.

“First we will see if Maria applies for a wildcard and if so we will consider her case alongside everyone else’s.

“It will be a decision for the group on the day.”

Sharapova reached the semi-finals in Stuttgart last week as a wildcard entrant, playing her first tournament since her ban for taking the prohibited substance meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open. Her world ranking rose to No.262.

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The cut-off date to enter Wimbledon’s main draw is May 22, the day after the conclusion of the Rome tournament in which Sharapova has been handed another wildcard.

The cut-off for entry to the qualifying event is June 5.

A strong performance from the former world No.1 in Rome, and in Madrid the week before where she has also been handed a wildcard, would likely elevate Sharapova high enough in the WTA rankings to enter Wimbledon on merit.

That would potentially spare the All England Club a tough decision as they are already without defending champion Serena Williams, who is pregnant.

Several players, including former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki and former Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard, have been highly critical of tournament organisers handing five-time grand slam champion Sharapova wildcards.

But Sharapova remains one of the biggest names in the sport and has the pedigree to challenge for the title.

The 30-year-old is also sweating on being handed a wildcard for the French Open. A decision on that is expected on May 16.