Maria Sharapova given wildcard at 2017 Madrid Open

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Maria Sharapova's request to participate in the Madrid Open that starts less than two weeks after the conclusion of her doping suspension has been accepted, with the former world No 1 given a wildcard. She, however, returns to competitive tennis at the Stuttgart Grand Prix that starts on April 22.

"Sharapova requested an invitation to play... (She) is one of the best players of the last 15 years and also a past winner of our tournament," event director Manolo Santana told Reuters.

"In Madrid she always plays well and I'm sure she will come back to the courts highly motivated and hoping to do well."

The 29-year-old was banned from competitive tennis after failing a drug test at the 2016 Australian Open. This resulted in the ITF banning the Russian for two years. However, the ban was reduced to 15 months following a CAS appeal.

The tournament is scheduled to start on May 5.

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