Maria Sharapova’s return to tennis: Controversial star makes comeback from drug ban
MARIA SHARAPOVA has made her return to tennis at the Stuttgart Open after serving a 15-month ban for doping.
Maria Sharapova makes her return to tennis after serving a 15-month ban for doping
The Russian star tested positive for the prohibited drug meldonium at the 2015 Australian Open, but has served her ban and was handed a wildcard entry to the event in Germany.
Sharapova made her comeback in a first round clash with Roberta Vinci, and has also been offered wildcard entries to further events in Rome and Madrid as she bids to gather enough world ranking points to enter the French Open draw.
The five-time Grand Slam winner has come in for stinging criticism over the manner of her comeback, although WTA Tour boss Steve Simon has backed the 30-year-old.
Scroll through the gallery above to see the first pictures of MAria Sharapova back in action after her drug ban.