Craig Tiley defends decision to invite tainted Russian former World No. 1 for the Grand Slam draw ceremony at Melbourne; stresses adjudication is over for doping
Russia's Maria Sharapova poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy during the Australian Open official draw ceremony at Melbourne Park yesterday. Pic/Getty Images
ADVERTISEMENT
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley defended the decision to invite Maria Sharapova to the draw ceremony. With defending champion Serena Williams missing the tournament, organisers controversially chose Sharapova to represent the women. The Russian entered Margaret Court Arena carrying the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup at the same venue where she failed a doping test for meldonium two years ago.
But Tiley insisted there were no mixed messages, citing Sharapova’s status as a former champion, with the Russian lifting the trophy 10 years ago. In the absence of Williams and Victoria Azarenka, who is embroiled in an ongoing custody battle over baby son Leo, Sharapova and 2016 champion Angelique Kerber are the only former winners in the draw. With Kerber still competing at the tournament in Sydney, Tiley was happy to call on Sharapova. “We wanted to have a former champion,” he said. “We were happy she accepted our invite. The adjudication has occurred on that (the drugs ban). Maria deserved the opportunity.”
Sharapova has climbed to 47th in the rankings as she continues to work her way back from her 15-month doping ban. But the Russian remains unseeded and has her work cut out to progress far in the draw, with 14th seed Anastasija Sevastova a potential second-round opponent and Kerber likely to be waiting in round three. This is set to be another wide open tournament in the absence of Williams, and Sharapova revealed she still believes she can be World No. 1. “That is the ultimate goal but I realise the depth of the game,” she said. “It’s for anyone to grab. I certainly will hope that I put myself in that position.”
Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here
Download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
