STUTTGART, Germany (AP) – A day before Maria Sharapova was to play her first tennis match since being banned for doping, the debate about the Russian’s wild-card entry for the Porsche Grand Prix continued Tuesday.
Simona Halep and Alize Cornet joined the growing legion of players criticizing tournament organizers for offering Sharapova a direct spot in their main draws.
“For the kids, for the young players, it is not OK to help with a wild card the player that was banned for doping,” said the fifth-ranked Halep, adding that “it is not about Maria Sharapova here, but it is about all the players that are found doped.”
“I cannot support what the tournament director did, but also I cannot judge,” said Halep, who is seeded fourth and plays Barbora Strycova in the second round.
Cornet went a step further in comments published by French sports daily L’Equipe.