BARCELONA (Reuters) - Former world number one Maria Sharapova has been invited to play at the Madrid Open in May, which takes place less than two weeks after her 15-month doping ban expires, tournament organisers said on Wednesday. The five-time grand slam winner has been given a wildcard for the event, which begins on May 5. "In Madrid she always plays well and I'm sure she will come back to the courts highly motivated and hoping to do well." Following a positive test for the drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open, the Russian was suspended for two years by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The Florida-based Sharapova, who turns 30 on April 19, had called the ITF's original ruling "unfairly harsh" because she had not intentionally violated anti-doping rules.

Source: The Star February 08, 2017 16:41 UTC