Maria Sharapova to make comeback after doping ban in Stuttgart

Maria Sharapova will return to competitive action at April’s Stuttgart Grand Prix after completing her 15-month doping ban. Her first Grand Slam will be the French Open in May

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova will return to competitive action at the Stuttgart Grand Prix in April after completing her 15-month doping ban.

Maria Sharapova, who was banned for doping last year, will return to competitive tennis in April’s Stuttgart Grand Prix after completing 15-month doping ban. She will also return to Grand Slam events, at French Open in May. (AP)

The Florida-based Russian was originally banned for two years after testing positive for meldonium at last year’s Australian Open.

The former world number one admitted she had used meldonium for years and was not aware it had been banned since the start of 2016. Her suspension was later cut to 15 months on appeal.

“I could not be happier to have my first match back on tour at one of my favourite tournaments,” Sharapova, who won the indoor clay event three years running from 2012, said on the tournament website.

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“I can’t wait to see all my great fans and to be back doing what I love.”

She will return to action in time to contest the season’s second Grand Slam at Roland Garros. The French Open begins on May 22.