Maria Sharapova is getting ready to make her first appearance at the Australian Open since she failed a drugs test at the 2016 tournament that led to her 15-month suspension.
The Russian is climbing back up the rankings following her ban, with her semi-final run in Shenzhen last week taking her up to No. 47 in the world.
Sharapova, a champion in Melbourne in 2008, will be unseeded at the Australian Open and is a dangerous floater in the draw.
At last year’s US Open, which was her first Grand Slam back from suspension, Sharapova drew Simona Halep in the opening round and defeated the second-seeded Romanian in three close sets.
In the absence of defending champion Serena Williams, Sharapova has been chosen to join Roger Federer at the Australian Open draw on Thursday (19:00 local time, noon Dubai time). The draw will be streamed live on www.ausopen.com.
