Tennis legend Martina Navratilova said on Friday that the sport needed a star of Maria Sharapova's stature on top of the world rankings.
Sharapova took the top spot by reaching the French final and Navratilova, herself a former No 1 and holder of 18 singles Grand Slams, said the Russian deserved to reclaim a position she last held four years ago.
"She's a superstar, and it's always good if a superstar is at the top. Serena and Venus Williams haven't been No. 1 for a while," said Navratilova, who praised Sharapova's comeback from a shoulder injury.
"For Maria, coming back from shoulder surgery where most people would have called it a day, she stayed with it.
"I was really impressed with not just the physical and mental focus it takes to rehab.”