Sharapova will be back in WTA rankings after 3 tourments next year'

Moscow, Oct 24: Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, currently suspended on doping-related charges, will return to the singles rankings following her performance at three tourments next year, a senior official with the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) said on Monday.

According to the new rankings released by the Women Tennis Association (WTA) on Monday, the former World No.1 dropped out of the global top-100 female tennis players.

"Sharapova's departure from the WTA rankings list is a matter of technical detail," RTF Vice President Alexei Selivanenko said. "She needs to take part in at least three tourments in order to regain her stance in the ranking list."

"She lost the minimal required quota (to stay in the ranking list) of three tourments since she had not played since the beginning of this year," Selivanenko added.

"However, she will resume playing next year and, as soon she competes in three tourments, she will be back in the ranking list. There are no doubts that she will be granted wild cards from tourments' organisers and she will return to the ranking list."

Sharapova has been allowed by the Intertiol Tennis Federation (ITF) to play in exhibition matches before her ban expires. She has been serving a two-year suspension for violation of anti-doping regulations since January 26. However, the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled October 4 to reduce her suspension term from 24 to 15 months. IANS