Maria Sharapova’s comeback from her drugs ban will be aided by another wild card – this one in Rome.
The Russian is currently serving a 15-month suspension after testing positive for the heart drug meldonium at last year’s Australian Open.
She had already been granted invites to events in Stuttgart and Madrid and now organisers of the Italian Open have given the 29-year-old a wild card.
The invite will boost Sharapova’s chances of earning a place in the Wimbledon field.
The direct entry list will be composed from the WTA rankings of May 22 – the day after the Rome final.
Sharapova will need around 600 ranking points to make the cut. A place in the Madrid final would gain her at least 650 while winning it would she her earn 1,000. A semi-final loss would bring 390.
Stuttgart and Rome offer fewer points – a last-four exit in Stuttgart would be worth 185 (a title win 470) with Rome offering 350 and 900 respectively.
Were Sharapova to qualify as of right, it would be a relief to Wimbledon organisers who will otherwise have a tricky decision over whether to award her a wild card.
French Open officials already face the dilemma over whether to reward a player who has served a lengthy doping ban by offering her an invitation.
With the entry list to be announced during the week of April 17, Sharapova will be unable to gain direct entry into Roland Garros. Her first match back is due to take place in Stuttgart on April 26.
The Rome news comes on the same day Andy Murray said Sharapova should have to “work” her way back.
He told The Times: “I think you should really have to work your way back.
“However, the majority of tournaments are going to do what they think is best for their event. If they think having big names there is going to sell more seats, then they’re going to do that.”
