Sharapova fails drug test

[10isfan]

How is that even possible? She is eligible to play on the third day of the tournament. Will she get a bye in the early rounds? This bowing down to the cheater is shameful.

 

[isabelle]

WC for Masha in Madrid

 

[Front242]

Shocking to hear that.

I am not shocked. It's the norm for Russians. She's not a very smart person at all to make a statement like that.

She might not be smart to say it but you can be 100% sure all the players are doing the same thing if they have any brains. That is, using whatever legal edge they can get away with.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Shocking to hear that.

I am not shocked. It's the norm for Russians. She's not a very smart person at all to make a statement like that.

I have learned these Russians are a very arrogant "tribe".

 

[GameSetAndMath]

WC for Masha in Madrid

Now, she has wildcards for Stuttgart and Madrid. What are the chances of me seeing her playing in a challenger or at least in a qualifying tourney? :nono :cry

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Actually, she will not be able to get direct entry into RG even if she wins both Stuttgart and Madrid. This is because entries are decided six weeks in advance. Actually, in view of this she will not even be able to get a direct entry into qualifying tourney of RG.

The real question is will RG shun her, or give her WC for the quals or embrace her by giving WC to the main draw. My feeling is that they will take the middle ground and give her WC to the quals. But, if that happens will the Diva bother to take it or shun RG?

 

[Front242]

I reckon she'll get a main draw WC as all the tennis authorities care about is revenue. They're immoral cowards, all of them.

 

[10isfan]

She will get a WC into the main draw at every tournament. The only question is whether Wimby will give her one.

 

[tossip]

I hope she plays Serena in all her first round matches...

 

[GameSetAndMath]

She will get a WC into the main draw at every tournament. The only question is whether Wimby will give her one.

NO NO, Wimbledon loves her. They have said last year that she will be missed. I am very positive that she will get WC into main draw at Wimbledon if needed. I am not so sure about RG. By the time USO rolls in she probably would not WC to play in USO. All other non-GS tourneys will of course give her WC into MD hoping it brings revenues.

 

[isabelle]

WC in Roma, she's discussing with RG's organisers to get one in Paris

 

[the AntiPusher]

WC in Roma, she's discussing with RG's organisers to get one in Paris

Maybe She needs a few more ass whippings from to Serena will bring her ego down to sea level

 

[kskate2]

WC in Roma, she's discussing with RG's organisers to get one in Paris

Maybe She needs a few more ass whippings from to Serena will bring her ego down to sea level

I don't think a whipping from Serena will make that much of a dent since it's a foregone conclusion. She needs consistent beatings from other players to really put something on her mind.

 

[tossip]

she needs to work for her ranking if she has conscience..or if she is contrite.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

back in Stuttgart

This is weirder than I thought it was. See Kerber calling out on Stuttgart about this.

Maria is banned from entering the tournament facilities till 25th of April 2017. This tournament starts on 24th of April. They cleverly scheduled her first match on 26th of April. But, she would not be allowed to enter the facilities till the previous day. She will practice elsewhere.

While you cannot stop a tournament from giving wildcard to Maria, as wild cards are given at the tournament's discretion, they should at least have stopped Stuttgart from giving wild card to Maria, as Maria is banned as of the start date of the tournament. Talk about WTA bending the rules for Maria. :cover

 

[kskate2]

Yeah, that's not a good move from Stuttgart. They have a Porsche rep in Kerber who also happens to be #1 in the world, German and a slam champion. They don't really need Sharapova this year. To me, it's kind of a slap in the face to Kerber. If people boycott Maria's matches I wonder what other tournaments will do?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Yeah, that's not a good move from Stuttgart. They have a Porsche rep in Kerber who also happens to be #1 in the world, German and a slam champion. They don't really need Sharapova this year. To me, it's kind of a slap in the face to Kerber. If people boycott Maria's matches I wonder what other tournaments will do?

Wow, it is even stranger than I thought it was. Meldopova will be playing her first round match on Wednesday. Normally, half of the first round matches are played on Monday and the other half will be played on Tuesday. Since Meldopova is banned till Tuesday, her first round match alone will be played on Wednesday. This is really pushing things too much.

Now think about it from the point of view of Sharapova's first round opponent. She has to play her second round match (assuming she wins the first round against Maria), the very next day without a rest day in between. This is highly unfair. Why should she pay the price, just because Maria can't play on Monday or Tuesday due to the ban?

 

[kskate2]

I get all that too. That's why it's not a good move from the tournament. They really shouldn't bend over for one player who's returning from a ban. If I were Kerber, I wouldn't go back to Stuttgart after this (she may already be contractually obligated for this year).

 

[Hoergren]

BBC Sport - Maria Sharapova: Caroline Wozniacki calls Russian's Stuttgart wildcard 'disrespectful'

Wozniacki about Stuttgart tournament and Sharapova

Kerber has also been wondering why this is allowed

Kerber about the Stuttgart tournament

Even Andy Murray has said wildcards should not be given to players returning from doping bans.

I thought that all legal players should be ready from a tournaments start and NOT on the third day. I understand the growing discontent among players. Tournaments will risk a player boycot if they continue too long with the wildcards, because it's not a player returning from an injury, so the player should start all over again and fight the way back. IMHO.

 

[the AntiPusher]

I get all that too. That's why it's not a good move from the tournament. They really shouldn't bend over for one player who's returning from a ban. If I were Kerber, I wouldn't go back to Stuttgart after this (she may already be contractually obligated for this year).

Ever since what happened to Seles, I have a very low opinion of Germany ..it seems their tennis officials aren't much better than their judicial system