Tennis ace Maria Sharapova says she will not fret over French Tennis Federation's decision of denying her a French Open wildcard and that she will give it her all 'rise up' again.
FFT chief Bernard Giudicelli made the announcement on Wednesday, reportedly saying that it was his duty to "protect the high standards of the game played without any doubt on the result" referring to the drug ban Sharapova had received after she was tested positive for meldonium at last year's Australian Open.
Notably, Sharapova served out a reduced 15-month ban and returned to court at last month's Stuttgart Open, in which she fought her way to reach the semi-final. However, the Russian superstar was not able to garner enough points to earn a direct qualification for this year's Roland Garros, starting 22 May.
Second round exit at Madrid Masters after loss to Eugenie Bouchard and retirement due to injury in the second round of Rome have not helped her chances as well. Sharapova though seems to have taken FFT's decision by her stride. The two-time French Open champion took to Twitter yesterday to shed light on her thoughts about the wildcard snub.
"If this is what it takes to rise up again, then I am in it all the way, every day. No words, games, or actions will ever stop me from reaching my own dreams. And I have many," Sharapova wrote.
WTA chief not happy with FFT's decision
As misery piled up for Sharapova, there was some consolation as well for the Russian yesterday as WTA chief Steve Simon criticised Giudicelli's reasoning for the snub.
"Wildcards are offered at tournaments' sole discretion. I fully support the players that received wildcards and wish them the very best of luck. What I do not agree with is the basis put forward by the FFT for their decision with respect to Maria Sharapova. She has complied with the sanction imposed by CAS," Simon said, as quoted by The New Paper.
"The tennis anti-doping programme (TADP) is a uniform effort supported by the Grand Slams, WTA, ITF and ATP. There are no grounds for any member of the TADP to penalise any player beyond the sanctions set forth in the final decisions resolving these matters."
