Maria Sharapova to reportedly receive wild card into Birmingham
It's unknown whether she'll receive wild cards into the French Op
Maria Sharapova has yet to hear whether she will get Grand Slam wild cards, but according to London’s The Times, is likely to receive an invite to the WTA grass-court event in Birmingham.
Sharapova, who is ranked below the Top 200 as she begins her comeback from an anti-doping suspension, will require a wild card to play the French Open. She could also require a wild card for the main draw of Wimbledon, unless she can get to at least the semifinals in Rome.
The BBC also reported that Sharapova representatives are talking to Lawn Tennis Association officials about Birmingham, and LTA CEO Michael Downey has approved the move.
Sharapova has also been offered a wild card into the WTA grass-court event in Rosmalen, which is played before Birmingham, but has not said whether she will play the tournament.
Sharapova rarely plays a grass-court warm-up before Wimbledon, but having missed 15 months she will likely want to play as many events and as many matches as possible to improve her ranking.