Sharapova to return from ban in April at Stuttgart event

Published On: January 10, 2017 04:43 PM NPT By: Associated Press


Sharapova to return from ban in April at Stuttgart event
Maria Sharapova

MOSCOW, Jan 10: Maria Sharapova will return from her 15-month doping ban at a tournament in Germany in April.

Car manufacturer Porsche, which sponsors both Sharapova and the event in Stuttgart, says Sharapova has been given a wild-card entry into the tournament. It will be her first official competition since she tested positive for meldonium at last year's Australian Open.

Sharapova, who won the Stuttgart tournament from 2012-14, says "I could not be happier to have my first match back on tour at one of my favorite tournaments."

Sharapova was originally banned for two years but that was reduced on appeal in October. She said she had used meldonium for years and was not aware it had been banned for 2016.

Leave A Comment

Just In