Defeat in Brisbane, AusOpen wild card and fire donations: how 2020 began for Sharapova

Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova will perform at the Australian Open, which starts on January 20. She received a wild card from the organizers of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, said competition director Craig Tiley. The former first racket of the world will take part in this tournament for the 16th time, while she won only once - in 2008.

“Getting to the Australian Open is unbelievable. I have experienced a lot here: there was a conquest of the champion title, there were defeats in the heavy finals, there were a lot of ups and downs. To get another chance to compete on these courts means a lot to me, ”commented Sharapova.

We'll see you at # AO2020 @ MariaSharapova ... https: //t.co/s9Ahx8UJRI

At the moment, the Russian tennis player takes 147th place in the WTA rating and should rise to 145th according to the results of the first week of the new season. Her participation in the Australian Open has long been questioned because of low positions in the world ranking, which were the result of last year's unsuccessful one.

Theoretically, Mary could break into the main grid only through qualification. But, firstly, she has not used this opportunity for a long time, counting only on a wild card. And secondly, at the time of qualification, she had already planned her participation in the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament.

However, the organizers of the Australian Open literally rescued the tennis player, who needs to protect the largest part of her remaining points. A year ago, Sharapova, being the 30th seeded in the tournament, reached the fourth round, where she lost to Ashley Barty after a sensational victory over Caroline Wozniacki. This was the last success of the Russian woman since then - due to a shoulder injury, she spoke extremely rarely, and when she went to court, she was able to win only three matches against not-so-famous rivals.

This year, Sharapova already enjoyed the preferences of the organizers and thanks to the wild card she performed at the tournament in Brisbane. However, there she was not able to speak successfully, although the shoulder should no longer bother the tennis player. Sharapova lost in three sets to American Jennifer Brady, losing in the decisive tie-break. Soon the Russian woman admitted that this time she was prevented by food poisoning.

“I fought with the virus for two weeks and ended up in the hospital, but this is not enough fun. I couldn’t eat anything, but that’s all I can tell, ”admitted the ex-first racket of the world.

A decent performance at the Australian Open is now Sharapova’s main goal, if she still wants to continue her tennis career. A defeat in the first round will send her to the fourth hundred of the WTA rating, getting out of it will be extremely difficult. Although Sharapova is still one of the most popular tennis players in the world, every month it will be more difficult for her to count only on the invitations of the organizers without selection by her rating.

However, no matter how Sharapova performed in Melbourne, she is definitely expected at the WTA tournament in St. Petersburg. Director General of the competition Alexander Medvedev said that negotiations on the participation of the five-time winner of the Grand Slam tournaments are ongoing.

“Last year, our tournament was marked as the best in its category. Therefore, now we are preparing even harder and are confident that the upcoming tournament will be even better. Already, it is clear that there will be a very strong membership. We are in the process of negotiations with Sharapova. We hope that we will make a pleasant surprise for the fans, ”Medvedev told TASS.

At the same time, Sharapova does not exclude the end of her career. Commenting on the news of getting to AusOpen, she remembered this event, which was inevitable for every athlete.

“I always make a schedule so that I am at the peak of my capabilities and approach tournaments in the best shape. For me, rating has never been so important. Of greater importance is whether I can show a better result than last year. Will I be able to achieve more? Can I challenge myself? I always proceeded from this, and now, when my career is moving to an end, I need to be even smarter, ”said the tennis player.

Now Sharapova will have to wait for the draw of the Australian Open, which will be held on January 16. Whoever the Russian woman gets into rivals, she will be able to count on the sympathy of the audience, which is so necessary for her in a difficult time for her career.

Throughout January, Sharapova tried to help Australia, suffering from natural fires, and took part in charity events. First, she donated $ 25 thousand, then offered to follow her example to Novak Djokovic, which the Serbian tennis player did, and to top it off, she offered to anyone who wants to buy one of ten pairs of her sneakers with an autograph for $ 300, transferring this money to the Australian Red Cross.

👋🏼Brisbane,
I've signed ten pairs of my tennis shoes, left them at the @BrisbaneTennis desk at the Westin Hotel, alongside a donation envelope for fire rescue efforts.They're yours to keep, we just ask you to donate $ 300 a pair. All money going directly to 🇦🇺 Red Cross. 🇦🇺❤️ pic.twitter.com/H1IPU8pYig