Everything you need to know about Sharapova's return from her doping ban

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  • I'm back: Maria Sharapova.

    Whether you’re a fan of her or not, and whether you think she should be playing Stuttgart this week or not – there’s no denying that Maria Sharapova’s return from her 15-month doping suspension on Wednesday is a big deal.

    The Russian, who was ranked No5 in the world when she tested positive for the prohibited substance meldonium in January 2016, will only be allowed on-site at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix starting Wednesday – the third day of the German tournament – with her ban ending midnight on Tuesday. She is a three-time Stuttgart champion and has only lost just once there throughout her career.

    She is appearing at the tournament by virtue of a wildcard – Porsche sponsor both her and the event – which was a decision from the organisers that has irked many of her peers.

    Here’s everything you need to know about Sharapova’s return…

    WHO IS SHE PLAYING?

    Sharapova will begin her Stuttgart campaign against world No36 Roberta Vinci of Italy. It will be the third meeting of their career and first since 2012. She could face Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round.

    WHAT TIME IS THE MATCH AND WILL IT BE ON TV?

    Sharapova will play at 20:30 UAE time and the match will be aired on beIN Sports 12HD.

    WHO ELSE IS PLAYING THE TOURNAMENT?

    Two-time defending champion Angelique Kerber is one of seven top-10 players taking part in the tournament. The only absent top-10 players are Serena Williams (pregnant), Dominika Cibulkova (wrist), and Madison Keys (wrist).

    HOW MANY POINTS CAN SHARAPOVA WIN IF SHE WINS THE TITLE?

    The winner gets 470 points while the runner-up gets 305.

    CAN SHE PLAY THE FRENCH OPEN?

    The entry deadline for the main draw of the French Open has passed meaning the only way Sharapova can play Paris would be either via a wildcard or through qualifying. If she reaches the final in Stuttgart, the 305 points she would pick up would place her within the top-180 in the world rankings, which would be enough to get a spot in Roland Garros qualifying prior to the qualifying entry deadline on May 1. If she doesn’t make the final, then the only way she can compete in Paris would be a wildcard. French Open organisers are expected to make a final decision on the matter on May 15.

    WHICH TOURNAMENTS IS SHE CONFIRMED TO PLAY?

    Sharapova has also received wildcards for Madrid (May 6-13) and Rome (May 15-21).

    WHO ISN’T HAPPY ABOUT HER GETTING WILDCARDS?

    For starters, her first round opponent, Vinci. The 34-year-old Italian was quoted by Strait Times saying: “My personal opinion is (I do) not agree about wild cards… about Rome, about other tournaments…

    “She is a great player – I don’t have nothing against her. She made her mistakes for sure. She can return to play, but without wild cards. I know (Sharapova) is important for the WTA, for tennis, for everything. She is a great person, a great champion. My personal opinion is this.”

    Others against her getting a wildcard or her being allowed to play Stuttgart even though she is still suspended at the start of the event include Caroline Wozniacki, Kerber and Radwanska.

    Radwanska, a potential second round opponent for Sharapova, said: “This kind of entry into the tournament should apply to players who dropped in the ranking because of injury, illness or some other random event. Not for those suspended for doping. Maria should recover some other way, starting with smaller events.”

    HAS ANYONE BEEN IN SUPPORT OF HER RETURN?

    Yes, a few, including Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro, Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka, and Sharapova’s compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova.

    “I think it’s good for tennis. She has such a huge fanbase and obviously that’s going to bring more attraction to see how she will do, so I think it’s good for tennis, good entertainment,” said Azarenka.

    HAS A LOT CHANGED SINCE SHE WAS SUSPENDED?

    Serena Williams is pregnant and out until 2018, Azarenka had a baby and is set to return this July in Stanford, Kerber rose to No1 multiple times and won two majors, and Garbine Muguruza is a grand slam champion.

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