Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova is set to play her first Grand Slam tournament since her 15-month doping ban after being given a wildcard for the U.S Open.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) said that Sharapova's doping suspension had been served and did not come into the equation, with their decision to allow the 2006 champion to play consistent with their policy of awarding entry to former winners.
Sharapova was denied direct entry into the French Open and withdrew from Wimbledon qualifying due to injury after returning from her ban in April.
She missed over two months of competition as she nursed an ongoing leg injury she suffered in Rome.
The former world No. 1 is currently ranked 148th in the world.
The US Open gets underway in New York on August 28.
Newshub.