Sharapova set for comeback at Stuttgart in April

Moscow, Jan 10: Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova is set to make her comeback, following a doping suspension, on April 26 at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, the tourment organisers announced on Tuesday.

“Fans of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix can look forward to Maria Sharapova making her eagerly-awaited return to professiol tennis at the long standing tourment in Stuttgart,” the tourment’s press service reported.

“The 29-year old former world No.1 and five-time Grand Slam winner will play her first match in the Porsche Are on April 26, the day she can start competing again at tourments.”

Sharapova, who is currently under suspension for anti-doping rules violations, was allowed last year by the Intertiol Tennis Federation (ITF) to play in exhibition matches before her ban expires. She has already played two exhibition matches, reports Tass.

The tennis star returns without ranking. Hence she will need a wild card to enter the tourment in Stuttgart, which can be considered as Sharapova’s most favourite one since she won it three times in a row between 2012 and 2014.

“I could not be happier to have my first match back on tour at one of my favourite tourments,” Sharapova was quoted as saying by the tourment’s press service. IANS