Maria Sharapova has made the most of her time away from tennis, sampling things she might not have otherwise and staying in touch with the game to ensure she returns in the best possible shape.
The Russian, banned from the sport after testing positive for the drug Meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open, said she refused to feel sorry for herself, occupying her time by studying at Harvard, writing a book and even learning how to box.
“I tried boxing as I needed to keep myself in good form. It was great as I could imagine some particular people whom I wanted to hit,” she told a Russian chat show, not elaborating on who her imagined targets were.
With the 15-month ban drawing to a close, Sharapova is set to resume her career at Stuttgart on April 26, a week after her 30th birthday. She has been active on social media, chronicling her efforts to stay fit. Lacing up boxing gloves, working out in the freezing cold, grunting through strenuous training routines... no effort is being spared.
But it has not been all work. “I found out that I’m very good in resting,” she said.
“Formerly I couldn't imagine what to do during such a huge period of free time. I had almost 12 months to think, to read books, etc. I also had a vacation in Croatia, I celebrated the New Year in Hawaii. I’ve never been in London as a tourist before. I had seen almost nothing there while playing at Wimbledon.”
After Stuttgart, Sharapova will compete in the Madrid Open, which will be played from May 6 to 13, three weeks before Roland Garros, a Major she has won twice.
But gone are the days where Sharapova can pick and choose where she wants to play. She was excluded from the official Women’s Tennis Association rankings last October because she had not competed in enough tournaments to be eligible for a spot. Given this state of affairs, Sharapova needs to apply for a wildcard — a request Stuttgart and Madrid have accepted.
It remains to be seen how she will be greeted on return.
“I don’t think she’ll be welcomed at all by the tennis community, particularly the inner circles,” former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash told The Weekend Australian. “But I don’t think she really cares either. She’s always been her own woman — comes in and does her own thing. I think there’s a huge mark on her career since she’s been taking a performance-enhancing drug for 10 years.
“Going on the attack against the ITF (International Tennis Federation) just made the tennis community think she’s placing herself above the rules.”
Martina Navratilova, among the greatest to have played the game, disagreed. “She will be welcomed back because she has done her time. That’s it. It’s not up to anyone else to comment about it.”
Doubles great Rennae Stubbs said it would probably be a “very quiet locker room” in Stuttgart. “I really don’t know how she’ll be accepted by the players. Most may think ‘she’s just another player’ and won’t be worried about her.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of interest in how she plays. The (standard of) tennis will be interesting to see. The general public, in the majority, will be happy to see her back and will be supportive. She’s done her time and at the French Open, being a former champion, I’m expecting they will embrace her.”
Sharapova herself does not appear too fussed. She has had enough success in business, which includes her line of confectionery, Sugarpova, to know there is life outside the tennis bubble. “My business has skyrocketed over the recent years. I am greatly interested in it (business), but I simply had no time for it in the past. I will have no problems with finding time after I wrap up my career.” — Agencies
