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Maria Sharapova Return to International Tennis

Maria Sharapova return to the international tennis after a long wait. Maria Sharapova returned to the international tennis with a win against Roberta Vinci.

She defeated the Roberta Vinci 7-5 and 6-3. Maria Sharapova return saw her overpowering the 36th ranked Vinci.

Here is how she shared her excitement in the interview after the match.

“It’s the best feeling in the world. Those first few seconds before you enter the arena — it’s been a stage of mine since I was a young girl and to know that I’d be walking back on it was really special. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”

Maria Sharapova Return After a Long Time

Maria Sharapova Return to International TennisMaria Sharapova last played Serena Williams back in 2016, losing to her in Australian Open. She was in her top form when she tested positive for a banned substance meldonium.

Meldonium is a cardiac supplement recently added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned substances. At the time Sharapova said that she was taking the substance for the last ten years due to heart irregularities. She also mentioned that she was unaware of the substance banned on 1st January 2016.

The tennis superstar initially got banned for two years, but later the suspension was reduced to 15 months because Court of Arbitration considered it too harsh a penalty. She was not allowed to set foot on an international arena until her ban ended on Wednesday. So Maria Sharapova practiced at a small local tennis club.

Maria Sharapova will play her next match against her Russian fellow player Ekaterina Makarova. She is undefeated against Ekaterina Makarova so far.

Maria Sharapova Return Not Without Controversies

Maria Sharapova return by a wild card did not go well with many in the tennis community. Many believe that any tennis player convicted of doping violation must work their way back up. Maria Sharapova ban expired just two days after the expiry of the date set for tournament’s main draw. Therefore, she had to be allowed late entry to the tournament.

Maria Sharapova responded to her critics in the following manner.

“I can’t control what people say, and I never have. The only thing I can control is what I do out there. I’ve always preferred to walk the walk, and I’ve done that by winning five Grand Slams and being No. 1 in the world.”

Here is what she had to say about the wild card entries offered to her.

“I’m being offered wild cards by the tournament directors, and I’m accepting them to be able to compete in the draw. I’m not receiving a wild card to receive a trophy and a golden platter.”

During her break from tennis, Maria Sharapova enrolled into the prestigious Harvard Business School for Executive Education Program.

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