“I don’t think that’s right,” the Canadian told TRT World when asked about the Russian receiving wild cards. “She’s a cheater, and I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again. It’s so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way, and are true. I think from the WTA it sends the wrong message to young kids: Cheat, and we’ll welcome you back with open arms.
"I don’t think that’s right, and [she’s] definitely not someone I can say I look up to anymore because it’s definitely ruined it for me a little bit.”
Sharapova tested positive for the banned substance—which she claimed she took for health reasons, and didn’t know it was prohibited—at the Australian Open in 2016, and played her first WTA match since that tournament on Wednesday in Stuttgart.
She defeated Roberta Vinci, 7-5, 6-3, in her season debut.