She Is Back: Maria Sharapova To Play At The Madrid Open

 

Maria Sharapova has been invited to play at the Madrid Open in May, two weeks after her 15-month doping ban expires. Sharapova will be back in action at the end of April and her spring calendar is starting to get busy.

The event is scheduled to be her second comeback after her suspension, with the Stuttgart Grand Prix in April being the Russian's first return to action. The former world No 1 and five-time Grand Slam winner has been given a wildcard for the Spanish event, which begins on May 5.

Event director Manolo Santana said “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. In Madrid she always plays well and I'm sure she will come back to the courts highly motivated and hoping to do well.”