The Roland Garros organization surprises the tennis community after refusing to grant a wild card to Maria Sharapova. The Russian has received 3 controversial wild cards in Stuttgart, Madrid, and Rome that allowed Maria a direct access to the main draw. This has been heavily criticized because a “drug cheat” (Genie Bouchard’s words) should earn her way back to the main draw.
The Roland Garros statement
The organization of the French Open impressed after refusing to grant a wild card to Maria for the main draw. The announcement was made via Facebook Live on the personal page of Bernard Giudicelli, the president of the French Tennis Federation (yes, that was surreal). Giudicelli released the following comments
“She has handled her suspension with dignity and respect. But nonetheless, though there can be a wild card after an injury, there cannot be one for a return from doping. So it is up to Maria day after day, tournament after tournament, to find alone the strength she needs to win the big titles without owing anything to anyone.”
“While it’s true that the CAS has reduced her sanction, it is still a violation of the tennis antidoping program. CAS reduced her sanction but also recognized that Maria was the only one responsible for her misfortune. It is not for me today to question that decision. I respect, and we should respect, the decision that was first taken by the International Tennis Federation’s independent tribunal and then considered on appeal by CAS.”
Respect.
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