Maria Sharapova returns to tennis

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova returns at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, after her 15-month suspension for testing positive for the recently banned substance meldonium at the Australian Open in 2016

SHARAPOVA’S FALL FROM GRACE

Jan 26, 2016: Loses to long-term rival Serena Williams in Australian Open quarter-finals

Mar 7: Reveals failed drug test for meldonium – controversially added to WADA banned list on Jan 1, 2016 – which she has used for various health issues for 10 years

Mar 8: Porsche, Tag Heuer and Nike suspend lucrative sponsorship deals

Mar 10: Racquet manufacturer Head pledges to back Sharapova

Mar 12: Provisionally suspended. Asserts warnings about changes to anti-doping rules were not communicated effectively

Mar 15: United Nations removes Sharapova as goodwill ambassador Meldonium is designed to treat ischemia – reduction in blood supply to body tissue – stimulating increased oxygen movement to muscles, with potentially positive effect on stamina and endurance

Jun 8: Banned for two years by International Tennis Federation – vows to appeal “unfairly harsh” decision at Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

Oct 4: CAS reduces ban to 15 months – finding Sharapova was not “intentional doper”

Oct 10: Plays at charity event to support Elton John’s AIDS Foundation

Mar 2017: Players including Andy Murray, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber speak out against Sharapova receiving wildcard entries for Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome 

Apr 26: Set to play in Stuttgart, despite event beginning two days before suspension expires

Source: Wire agencies
Picture: Getty Images