Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion and one of the most prominent figures in women’s tennis. She has been a fixture on the WTA tour for over a decade and has achieved remarkable success in her career, winning 35 WTA singles titles including 2 French Opens, 1 Wimbledon, and 2 US Opens. In 2016, Sharapova was suspended from professional tennis after testing positive for a banned substance. Since then, she has been absent from the tour, leading many to wonder if Sharapova will ever play tennis again.
The Suspension
In 2016, Sharapova tested positive for meldonium, a substance that had been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) banned list earlier that year. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) subsequently handed her a two-year suspension from professional tennis that was later reduced to 15 months. During her suspension, Sharapova was barred from competing in any WTA-sanctioned events or even entering the grounds of any of the major tennis tournaments.
The Comeback
In 2017, Sharapova returned to the tour and immediately made an impact, winning her first tournament back in Tianjin, China. She followed up with a quarterfinal appearance at the 2017 US Open, a semifinal appearance at the 2018 St. Petersburg Open, and a runner-up finish at the 2018 Italian Open.
However, Sharapova has not been able to maintain the same level of success since her return. Injuries have hampered her progress, and she has not been able to consistently compete at the highest level.
The Injuries
Sharapova has been hampered by a series of injuries since her return to the tour. In 2018, she was forced to withdraw from the French Open due to a shoulder injury and was subsequently sidelined for the remainder of the season. In 2019, she suffered an ankle injury that forced her to withdraw from the Australian Open and missed the majority of the clay court season.
The Ranking
The injuries and lack of consistent results have taken a toll on Sharapova’s ranking. She is currently ranked No. 112 in the world, the lowest ranking of her career.
The Comeback Attempts
In 2020, Sharapova attempted to make a comeback after a year-long absence from the tour due to injury. She entered the 2020 Australian Open, but was forced to retire from her first-round match due to a hamstring injury. She then entered the 2020 French Open, where she was defeated in the first round.
The Future
Despite her setbacks, Sharapova remains determined to make a comeback. She has been working hard to improve her fitness and is hoping to return to the tour in 2021.
The Challenges Facing Sharapova
Sharapova faces a number of challenges in her attempt to make a successful comeback. At 33 years old, she is one of the oldest players on the tour and is up against younger and fitter opponents. Additionally, the injuries she has suffered since her return have hampered her progress and forced her to take lengthy breaks from the tour.
The Support from Fans
Despite the challenges she faces, Sharapova has received an outpouring of support from fans. She is still one of the most popular players on the tour and her fans have been cheering her on throughout her comeback attempts.
Conclusion
Will Maria Sharapova ever play tennis again? It is hard to say for certain. She has faced a number of setbacks since her return to the tour, but she remains determined to make a comeback. With her fans cheering her on, anything is possible.