Tuesday 16 May 2017 23:31, UK
Maria Sharapova has been denied a wildcard into this year's French Open and her hopes of qualifying for Wimbledon on merit are over after she was forced to pull out of the Italian Open.
The 30-year-old, who made her comeback last month after serving a suspension following a positive test for heart drug meldonium at last year's Australian Open, had hoped for a favour from the French Tennis Federation (FFT) because her ranking, currently 211, does not warrant an automatic place.
However, the FFT announced Sharapova would not be granted one of the wildcard spots shortly before she was due to play her second-round match at the Italian Open in Rome.
"You can get a wild card when you return from injury but you cannot get a wild card when returning from a doping suspension," said French tennis federation president Bernard Giudicelli.
"I appreciate the media impact of Maria, I appreciate the broadcasters' expectations but in conscience, it was not possible to go beyond the anti-doping code and beyond the application of the rules.
"I'm very sorry for Maria, very sorry for her fans," added Giudicelli. "They might be disappointed, she might be very disappointed, but it's my responsibility, my mission, to protect the high standards of the game."
After discovering she would not be granted a wildcard to Roland Garros, Sharapova withdrew from her second-round match in Rome due to a thigh injury while leading Croatia's Mirjana Lucic-Baroni 2-1 in the deciding set.
The Russian said: "I apologise for having to withdraw from my match today with a left thigh injury. I will be getting all the necessary examinations to make sure this is not serious.
"I want to thank the tournament for giving me the opportunity to play in this special event again."
Sharapova, whose return has been dogged by criticism with several leading players voicing their disapproval at the decision of tournament organisers in Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome to grant her a main draw wildcard, had needed to reach the semi-finals in the Italian capital to qualify for the Wimbledon main draw by ranking.
The five-time Grand Slam champion, who won Wimbledon as a 17-year-old when she defeated two-time winner Serena Williams in the 2004 final, could still be granted a spot in the main draw at the All England Lawn Tennis Club with a decision to be taken on June 20.
However, it is unlikely organisers will grant her a wildcard following the FFT's refusal, leaving Sharapova the prospect of earning her place in the Wimbledon tournament by playing at the qualifying tournament in Roehampton which she secured with her first round win over American Christina McHale in Rome
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